The Morning Watch

There is no sorrow known to mankind that Christ has not experienced. Whatever your struggle this time of year, remember, Jesus knows and understands.  Rejection. False accusations. Loneliness. Pain (emotional, physical). Loss. Betrayal. He is close to the brokenhearted. (Psalm 34:18) He calls out to each one of us, to come to Him. The healer. The redeemer. The Saviour. Let us rise up and go, for the Master has come and calls for us! ❤️ (John 11:28)  He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has...

Psalms 27:13; “I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.” Psalms 27:14, “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” Jonah 2:7; “When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple.” Galatians 6:9; “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Luke 18:1; And he (Jesus) spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint. 1 Corinthians 15:58; “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 

I found these treasure boxes in the dollar store for girls group to remind them that God’s word is a treasure and those who glean from it find lasting riches!  The Value of Wisdom 1 ¶ My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you, 2 So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding; 3 Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, 4 If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; 5 Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding; 7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; 8 He guards the paths of justice, And preserves the way of His saints. (The Bible; Proverbs 2)  I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me. Riches and honor [are] with me, Enduring riches and righteousness. My fruit [is] bette...

Psalms 119:130; The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple. John 8:12; Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” 1 John 1:5; This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:7; But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

https://youtu.be/0mPzxzu4gdw?si=eRhZFFo5uQj9bZW6 What a great song! Maybe you’re walking through a valley today, or maybe you’re on top of a mountain. The truth is, life is full of mountain top experiences + valleys too!  This morning I was reading in my Bible from the book of 1st kings 20:28;  Then a man of God came and spoke to the king of Israel, and said, “Thus says the LORD: ‘Because the Syrians have said, “The LORD is God of the hills, but He is not God of the valleys,” therefore I will deliver all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I [am] the LORD.’ ” The Lord is SO good + faithful to us even when our faith in Him is small and wavering.  I remember being driven back to the place where my friend Jennifer and I were staying in Africa after a 15 hour day. We had gone on a one day safari. It was late at night. Not everyone had headlights or well maintained vehicles. It was scary, but we had a good driver! This very song came into my mind + h...

1 Samuel 23:14; David stayed in strongholds in the wilderness, and remained in the mountains in the Wilderness of Ziph.  Saul sought him every day, but God did not deliver him into his hand. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 5:8-11)  Proverbs 18:10; The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. “Thank-you Lord, that we can find a refuge in you at all times!”   Psalm 46:1; God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.

Choices + Consequences   After the time that Amaziah turned away from following the LORD , they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem, and he fled to Lachish; but they sent after him to Lachish and killed him there. (2 Chronicles 25:27) After the time…  if only he had continued to follow the Lord! What a tragedy! “ For the wages of sin is death,  but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)  Every day we have a choice to walk with the Lord and follow Him as our Leader, or give into the sinful desires of the flesh. May we remember, and apply these words from Galatians to our daily lives! I say then: “ Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh .” (Galatians 5:16)  In contrast to Amaziah giving into his sinful desires, we have our Saviour, Jesus Christ, the only One who,  “…always did the things that pleased His Father.”  (John 8:29)  “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has...

In a world of darkness, I choose the light.  In a world of evil, I choose the good.  In times of sorrow, I choose joy.  When Satan deceives me, I choose the truth. When fears arise, I choose the Father’s peace. When religion knocks at my door, I choose a relationship with my Creator, through the perfect sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for the forgiveness of my sin. When doubts arise, I choose to believe.  What or whom do you choose today?  “Today, if you will hear His (Jesus) voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” -Hebrews 3:7, 8

“ When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the LORD nor the work which He had done for Israel .” (Judges 2:10)  “ Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come .” (Psalm 71:18)  “ You, O LORD, remain forever; Your throne from generation to generation. Turn us back to You, O LORD, and we will be restored; Renew our days as of old .” (Lamentations 5:19, 21)  “ For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep… ” (Acts 13:36)  What will be my legacy? My earnest prayer is, “Only Jesus!”  " Only Jesus " Make it count, leave a mark, build a name for yourself Dream your dreams, chase your heart, above all else Make a name the world remembers But all an empty world can sell is empty dreams I got lost in the lie that it was up to me To make a name the world reme...

Conviction or compromise ?  I love this king! It is said of him, “ Now before him there was no king like him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses; nor after him did any arise like him .” (2 Kings 23:25) What a testimony!  How can we have a heart bent toward God like Josiah? It has been said, “ You are as close to God as you choose to be.”  James 4:8 says, “ Draw near to God and He will draw near to you …”  Each of us has been given a free will by our Creator, Owner. What will we do with it in this short life we have been given? Jesus said, “ Without Me you can do nothing .” (John 15:5)  A heart bent toward God, like Josiah had, begins with a personal relationship with Him. That can only come about by trusting in Jesus Christ for the salvation of our souls! “ In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, yo...

After being on the road for three days, it feels so nice to come home! The smell of baking coming from the oven, and a time to rest before company comes again, is such a treat! I paused a moment to think about Jesus, who had no place to even lay His head!  Jesus said, “ Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head .” (Matthew 8:20)  Jesus knew He was born to die, and die He must, for the sins of the world.  “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  (Romans 6:23) He had set His face like a flint until He would accomplish His Father’s will! (Isaiah 50:7) Jesus would go without a home, and without rest, so that we could find both in Him! True rest for our souls. “ Peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ!” (Romans 5:1) “Hallelujah, what a Saviour!”  My home is God Himself; Christ brought me there, And bade me dwell in Him, rejoicing there; He bore...

Hiding in Thee ! “… the king commanded Jerahmeel the king’s son, Seraiah the son of Azriel, and Shelemiah the son of Abdeel, to seize Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet,  but the LORD hid them .” (Jeremiah 36:26)  Baruch and Jeremiah were being sought after for proclaiming the word of the Lord, “ but the Lord hid them .” What hope we have in Him! He is our refuge and strength. He is a very present help in the time of trouble. He is our hiding place. In Him we can know perfect peace in-spite of the opposition all around us! (Psalm 46:1; Psalm 32:7; Psalm 119:114; Isaiah 26:3)  “ He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and b...

Life in a fog.  Have you ever felt like that? Trying hard to navigate your way through life, uncertain of what lies ahead? That feeling of dread?   This morning, I was driving through the thickest of fog, and could only see just inches in front of me. I got to thinking about what it means to walk by faith and not by sight, about trusting the Lord with all my heart, and not leaning on my own understanding. About acknowledging Him in all my ways so that He would direct my     paths. It gave me peace to look to the One who sees and knows all things, knowing I could fully trust the Good Shepherd to lead me through the uncertainties of this life. (2 Corinthians 5:7; Proverbs 3:5,6; 2 Chronicles 16:9; Psalm 23:1)   “ For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known .” (1 Corinthians 13:12)  Face to face with Christ, my Savior, Face to face—what will it be, When with rapture I behold ...

Beautiful autumn reflections…I started to think about what it means that we are created in the image of God. We were created to reflect Him. What is God like? We know from the Bible that God is love, he gives joy + peace. He is patient, gentle, + good. He produces these fruits of His Spirit in us upon believing in His Son, who laid down His life for us, and then rose again. What a privilege to know Him, and then to reflect Him! (Galatians 5:22+ 23)  “Do you know my fellow Christian, everywhere and every place, men are looking for the image of the Master in your face? And the image you’re reflecting is distorted or is fair just according to the measure of the time you spend in prayer.” 🙏🏻 “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” (The Bible; Isaiah 26:3)

We see Jesus, who by the grace of God, tasted death for everyone. (Hebrews 2:9)  Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God. (1 Peter 3:18)  Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (Hebrews 2:14, 15)  In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song; This Cornerstone, this solid Ground, Firm through the fiercest drought and storm. What heights of love, what depths of peace, When fears are stilled, when strivings cease! My Comforter, my All in All, Here in the love of Christ I stand. In Christ alone! – who took on flesh, Fullness of God in helpless babe. This gift of love and righteousness, Scorned by the ones He came to save: Till on that cross as Jesus died, The wrat...

It is only a tiny rosebud,  A flower of God's design, But I cannot unfold the petals With these clumsy hands of mine. The secret of unfolding flowers Is not known to such as I, The flower God opens so sweetly, In my hands would fade and die. I cannot unfold a rosebud, This flower of God's design, Then how can I have wisdom To unfold this life of mine? So I'll trust Him for His leading Each moment of every day And I'll look to Him for His guidance Each step of the pilgrim way. For the pathway that lies before me My heavenly Father knows I'll trust Him to unfold the moments Just as He unfolds the rose. ~Author Unknown~

Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden. -Genesis 4:16 I was teaching a Bible lesson to a group of young people. One of the boys was reading, and the above verse jumped out at me.  How sad that Cain went out from the presence of the Lord when he could’ve humbled himself and repented! How true it is that our sin separates us from God the Father, yet how thankful we can be for the cleansing power of the blood of Christ!  But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. -Ephesians 2:13  Now in Christ Jesus! How wonderful that we can enjoy peace with God, and say with the Psalmist,  “In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”  -Psalms 16:11  A mind at perfect peace with God, Oh! what a word is this! A sinner reconciled thro’ blood; This, this indeed is peace! By nature and by practice far, How very far from God; Yet no...

Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. (Genesis 1:3, 4) “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” (John 3:19) Jesus said, “I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.” (John 12:46) Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.  -Helen Howarth Lemmel

This will be written for the generation to come, That a people yet to be created may praise the LORD. For He looked down from the height of His sanctuary; From heaven the LORD viewed the earth, To hear the groaning of the prisoner, To release those appointed to death, To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, And His praise in Jerusalem, When the peoples are gathered together, And the kingdoms, to serve the LORD. (Psalm 102:18-22) And Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel: And Aaron spoke all the words which the LORD had spoken unto Moses, and did the signs in the sight of the people. “And the people believed: and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped.” (Exodus 4:29-31)  I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my fe...