Each morning before I start my day I usaully begin by reading a few favorite devotionals and scripture. I also spend this time with God as He is fathering me through them. His timing is awesome as I read through these devotionals there is always something that I needed, and He knew that.
May the Lord bless you as you travel this journey with me.
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
*************************************************
Wonderful Comfort By Max Lucado
“What a wonderful God we have . . . who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us.” 2 Corinthians 1:3, TLB
Encourage those who are struggling. Don’t know what to say? Then open your Bible . . .
To the grief stricken: “God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’” (Heb. 13:5 NIV)
To the guilt-ridden: “There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1 NIV).
*************************************************
Determining Your Course of Action by Adrian Rogers
"My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise." Psalm 57:7
When I was in college, I kept a motto on my desk that said,
"He who would not fall down ought not to walk in slippery places."
•Keep yourself clean.
•Keep yourself pure.
•Watch what you set before your eyes.
There needs to be discipline. Job said, "I made a covenant with my eyes not to look upon a maid" (Job 31:1). If we are to have a walk of purity in obedience to God, we must determine ahead of time what our course of action will be.
One big decision will take care of a lot of little ones.
Are you going on a trip alone any time soon? If so, make the decision right now to keep your walk pure and holy for God's glory.
*************************************************
The Dark Moments in Our Life by Charles Stanley
Acts 14:21-22
If you want a meaningful life, you will at times travel the road of adversity. However, every hardship in your path has a specific purpose. Our Father allows pain and trials into His good plan for our life (Rom. 8:28).
When we are facing dark times, the first word that comes to mind is usually Why? God welcomes our questions but challenges us to obey Him, even when we don't get answers (Prov. 3:5-6). In fact, we may have to wait months or years before knowing the purpose behind a trial. Sometimes the answers don't come at all in this lifetime.
Joseph spent 13 harsh, dark years in Egypt. He faced betrayal, separation from loved ones, and culture shock followed by slavery, false accusations, and prison time. His only evidence of a sovereign, loving God was that he consistently prospered, even during times of trouble.
Everything Joseph endured prepared him for a job as Egypt's prime minister. While still a boy, he learned the language, culture, and mindset of a foreign nation. Moreover, the man who emerged from hardship was the Lord's disciplined, faithful servant. In the end, Joseph was positioned to save more than a country; he rescued God's chosen people—the family tree of Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
Living in the center of the Lord's love doesn't guarantee an easy, pain-free life. In fact, the opposite is true. God loves believers so much that He conforms each one to His Son's likeness through any means necessary. In His expert hand, we become servants whose victories and trials glorify Him.
*************************************************
From www.d365.org
Look around you right now. What do you see? Who do you see?
Look inside yourself right now. What do you observe?
Look now for Jesus, who wants to be seen by you.
Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off.
John 21:4-8
You know the situation. You hurt a friend’s feelings or let them down and now you don’t know what to do about it. You want to talk to them, to make it right, but it is too late to call or text and morning seems so far away. You can’t wait to know if things are going to be okay or if you can fix the problem.
Peter probably felt this way. In fact, he jumped in the water as soon as he realized it was Jesus standing there. He had to make amends. He had to say, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to deny you.” Can you imagine having the opportunity to apologize to Jesus?
You know what? It has already been done. Jesus already knows our weaknesses, and the best news is that he accepts us anyway. You don’t have to wait until morning to clean up the mess. You can talk with Jesus any time and he will listen. There may be something going on in your life today that needs your attention. Don’t wait until morning; you have the chance to set things straight right now.
Aleesa Naish
Jesus, thank you for allowing me the grace to falter and for giving me the strength to pick myself up again. Amen
*************************************************
Be Careful About What You Neglect
by Gail Rodgers
Some seasons of life are more hectic than others. It isn’t always possible to keep on top of all the things we usually tend to. When life gets a little too busy it’s easy to neglect small things. At first no one notices the little things left undone in the house or yard or the growing pile of papers that need tending to. Yet, as the weeds take hold outside and the paperwork and the closets are ignored inside, a growing chaos becomes evident.
The same thing happens in our inner lives when we neglect the regular care of our spirits. We begin to feel the growing chaos within. The reality of our lives becomes contrasted against the promises of our faith. We become discouraged in our spiritual journey.
God’s Word reminds us to be careful about what we ignore. In the book of Hebrews we are given reminders not to ignore the great salvation God has provided for us.
“Do you think we can risk neglecting this magnificent salvation?” Hebrews 2:1-4 (The Message)
It’s so easy to be caught up with the busy things of life that we overlook tending our inner lives. Then we often find chaos in our heart and mind and wonder why God seems distant. During those times we will most likely find our Bible starting to gather dust. God’s Word is nourishment for our souls.
If your life is chaotic and your spirit is dry… if panic is becoming more often present in your heart and mind than peace… check what you are neglecting. Make a beeline back to God’s Word and to fellowship with His people.
Make a fresh determination and declare the words that David declared so long ago in Psalm 119:16.
“I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.
I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.
I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.” (Psalm 119:16)
Keep God’s Word at the very core of your life. As a Christian you simply cannot risk living otherwise.
Showing posts with label God's love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God's love. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
He Is Always There
Act 17:27 to seek the Lord, if perhaps they might feel after Him and find Him, though indeed He is not far from each one of us.
Act 17:28 For in Him we live and move and have our being, as also certain of your own poets have said, For we are also His offspring
Below is an excerpt from a devotional from A. B. Simpson. As I was reading this short paragraph I understood how true it is. Most of us, including myself at times, put our trust in so many things such as A. B. Simpson writes about, but not truly in Jesus. In the verses above from the book of Acts it is written the Lord is not far from each of us for indeed we are His offspring.
[From an A. B. Simpson devotional]
[We must come into personal contact with the risen Saviour, and have His very life quicken our mortal flesh before we can know the fullness and reality of His healing. This is the most frequent cause of failure. People are often trusting to something that has been done to them, to something that they have done, or something that they have believed intellectually; but their spirit has not felt its way to the heart of Christ, and they have not drawn His love into their being by the hunger and thirst of love and faith, and so they are not quickened. The greatest need of our souls and bodies is to know Jesus personally, to touch Him constantly, to abide in Him continually.
May we this day lay aside all things that could hinder our near approach to Him, and walk hand in hand, heart to heart, with Jesus.]
He Is Always There
I reached my hand out to Him,
I felt Him grasp my heart,
His love grew even stronger,
than when my walk with Him did start.
I cried out "thank You Lord Jesus",
for He always hears my call.
He is always there for me,
if I stumble or even when I fall.
He loved me before I knew Him,
He is there day by day.
I can not live without Him,
for there is no other way.
And what is truly amazing
is if I feel like this today,
I can't begin to imagine how it will be,
when Jesus and I will be together some sweet day!
E. P. Shagott
4/7/10
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Act 17:28 For in Him we live and move and have our being, as also certain of your own poets have said, For we are also His offspring
Below is an excerpt from a devotional from A. B. Simpson. As I was reading this short paragraph I understood how true it is. Most of us, including myself at times, put our trust in so many things such as A. B. Simpson writes about, but not truly in Jesus. In the verses above from the book of Acts it is written the Lord is not far from each of us for indeed we are His offspring.
[From an A. B. Simpson devotional]
[We must come into personal contact with the risen Saviour, and have His very life quicken our mortal flesh before we can know the fullness and reality of His healing. This is the most frequent cause of failure. People are often trusting to something that has been done to them, to something that they have done, or something that they have believed intellectually; but their spirit has not felt its way to the heart of Christ, and they have not drawn His love into their being by the hunger and thirst of love and faith, and so they are not quickened. The greatest need of our souls and bodies is to know Jesus personally, to touch Him constantly, to abide in Him continually.
May we this day lay aside all things that could hinder our near approach to Him, and walk hand in hand, heart to heart, with Jesus.]
He Is Always There
I reached my hand out to Him,
I felt Him grasp my heart,
His love grew even stronger,
than when my walk with Him did start.
I cried out "thank You Lord Jesus",
for He always hears my call.
He is always there for me,
if I stumble or even when I fall.
He loved me before I knew Him,
He is there day by day.
I can not live without Him,
for there is no other way.
And what is truly amazing
is if I feel like this today,
I can't begin to imagine how it will be,
when Jesus and I will be together some sweet day!
E. P. Shagott
4/7/10
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Monday, April 5, 2010
The day after Easter
This is a good devotional for the day after Easter. So often we see special days come and go then seldom take the time to reflect on them or use that special day like Easter Sunday to be a starting point to strengthen our walk with Christ.
I encourage you to take some time to read and then meditate on what the author is saying here.
"And after the earthquake a fire; and after the fire a sound of gentle stillness" (1 Kings 19:12, RV margin.)
[A devotional from Mrs. Charles Cowman Devotional - Streams in the Desert]
[A soul, who made rapid progress in her understanding of the Lord, was once asked the secret of her easy advancement. She replied tersely, "Mind the checks." And the reason that many of us do not know and better understand Him is, we do not give heed to His gentle checks, His delicate restraints and constraints. His is a still, small voice. A still voice can hardly be heard. It must be felt. A steady, gentle pressure upon the heart and mind like the touch of a morning zephyr to your face. A small voice, quietly, almost timidly spoken in your heart, but if heeded growing noiselessly clearer to your inner ear. His voice is for the ear of love, and love is intent upon hearing even faintest whispers. There comes a time also when love ceases to speak if not responded to, or believed in. He is love, and if you would know Him and His voice, give constant ear to His gentle touches.
In conversation, when about to utter some word, give heed to that gentle voice, mind the check and refrain from speech. When about to pursue some course that seems all clear and right and there comes quietly to your spirit a suggestion that has in it the force almost of a conviction, give heed, even if changed plans seem highest folly from standpoint of human wisdom. Learn also to wait on God for the unfolding of His will. Let God form your plans about everything in your mind and heart and then let Him execute them. Do not possess any wisdom of your own. For many times His execution will seem so contradictory to the plan He gave. He will seem to work against Himself. Simply listen, obey and trust God even when it seems highest folly so to do. He will in the end make "all things work together," but so many times in the first appearance of the outworking of His plans,
"In His own world He is content
To play a losing game."
So if you would know His voice, never consider results or possible effects. Obey even when He asks you to move in the dark. He Himself will be gloriously light in you. And there will spring up rapidly in your heart an acquaintanceship and a fellowship with God which will be overpowering in itself to hold you and Him together, even in severest testings and under most terrible pressures.--Way of Faith]
From God's heart, to your, to mine,
Ed Shagott
I encourage you to take some time to read and then meditate on what the author is saying here.
"And after the earthquake a fire; and after the fire a sound of gentle stillness" (1 Kings 19:12, RV margin.)
[A devotional from Mrs. Charles Cowman Devotional - Streams in the Desert]
[A soul, who made rapid progress in her understanding of the Lord, was once asked the secret of her easy advancement. She replied tersely, "Mind the checks." And the reason that many of us do not know and better understand Him is, we do not give heed to His gentle checks, His delicate restraints and constraints. His is a still, small voice. A still voice can hardly be heard. It must be felt. A steady, gentle pressure upon the heart and mind like the touch of a morning zephyr to your face. A small voice, quietly, almost timidly spoken in your heart, but if heeded growing noiselessly clearer to your inner ear. His voice is for the ear of love, and love is intent upon hearing even faintest whispers. There comes a time also when love ceases to speak if not responded to, or believed in. He is love, and if you would know Him and His voice, give constant ear to His gentle touches.
In conversation, when about to utter some word, give heed to that gentle voice, mind the check and refrain from speech. When about to pursue some course that seems all clear and right and there comes quietly to your spirit a suggestion that has in it the force almost of a conviction, give heed, even if changed plans seem highest folly from standpoint of human wisdom. Learn also to wait on God for the unfolding of His will. Let God form your plans about everything in your mind and heart and then let Him execute them. Do not possess any wisdom of your own. For many times His execution will seem so contradictory to the plan He gave. He will seem to work against Himself. Simply listen, obey and trust God even when it seems highest folly so to do. He will in the end make "all things work together," but so many times in the first appearance of the outworking of His plans,
"In His own world He is content
To play a losing game."
So if you would know His voice, never consider results or possible effects. Obey even when He asks you to move in the dark. He Himself will be gloriously light in you. And there will spring up rapidly in your heart an acquaintanceship and a fellowship with God which will be overpowering in itself to hold you and Him together, even in severest testings and under most terrible pressures.--Way of Faith]
From God's heart, to your, to mine,
Ed Shagott
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Thank You for the Cross, Lord!
A story and a small collection of my poems about the cross. May we each take time to reflect back so that tomorrow will be that more special. Also the link below is from Youtube a song by Hillsong.
The Cross
A young man was at the end of his rope,
Seeing no way out, he dropped to his knees
In prayer "Lord, I can't go on," he said.
"I have too heavy a cross to bear."
The Lord replied, "My son,
If you can't bear its weight,
Just place your cross inside this room.
Then, open that other door
and pick out any cross you wish."
The man was filled with relief and said,
"Thank you Lord," and he did as he was told.
Upon entering the other room, he saw many crosses;
Some so large the tops were not visible.
Then, he spotted a tiny cross leaning against a far wall.
"I'd like that one, Lord," he whispered.
The Lord replied, "My son,
that is the cross you just brought in."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azYQqzoEjgU
Luke 23:33 And when they came to the place which is called Calvary, they crucified Him and the criminals there, one on the right, and one on the left.
Back to Calvary
An angel of the Lord
came and said to me,
“I want to take you back
to a place called Calvary.”
So back through time we went
the Lords angel and me,
back before all time that passed
back to that special place, named Calvary!
Though I knew of this place
from the Bible I did read,
I was so excited to be there
where our Lord died for you and me.
As I stood very still
with the Lords angel at my side,
I really didn’t notice anyone but Jesus
as He looked into my eyes.
In my heart I felt His suffering,
in my eyes I saw His pain,
and through it all He smiled at me
and then He said my name.
I fell to my knees and said,
“Lord so many just don’t see
the love you have for all of us
and the importance this place is, called Calvary.
E. P. Shagott
3/9/2009
Crosses
I had a dream I walked with Jesus,
carrying our crosses, side by side.
Though mine was so much smaller,
I felt Him lift the burden as time went by.
With each step He looked at me,
His eyes were filled with love
He steadied me when I began to stumble,
giving praise to the Father above.
At first the journey seemed too long,
to carry my cross all that way,
Jesus spoke to me and said,
“It’s not about the burden but what you do through it today”.
So whatever the cross you are carrying
may it become an aide to you,
to help someone else that is hurting
and show them Jesus is with them too.
E. P. Shagott
3/17/10
Fruit From The Cross
Who would of thought,
that something so sweet,
could come from tree
where Jesus died for you and me.
A tree that was used
to bring suffering and shame,
to the Son of Man
and Jesus was His name.
But from that tree
His fruits began to live on,
it took His unwavering love,
before it all began.
So praise to God the Father,
for on that tree His Son paid the cost.
It was the only way that through us,
we can bear fruit from the Cross!
E. P. Shagott
3/3/10
I Love You, He Said
I love you, He said,
as the first nail went in.
I do this for you
because of your sin.
The shame that I bear I do this for you,
He said this as
the mallet hit nail number two.
The reason I came
was so all would be free.
I love you, He said
as they hit nail three.
He hung there for hours,
then bowed His head.
“My Father,
why have You forsaken me?
I love You, He said!”
E. P. Shagott
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
The Cross
A young man was at the end of his rope,
Seeing no way out, he dropped to his knees
In prayer "Lord, I can't go on," he said.
"I have too heavy a cross to bear."
The Lord replied, "My son,
If you can't bear its weight,
Just place your cross inside this room.
Then, open that other door
and pick out any cross you wish."
The man was filled with relief and said,
"Thank you Lord," and he did as he was told.
Upon entering the other room, he saw many crosses;
Some so large the tops were not visible.
Then, he spotted a tiny cross leaning against a far wall.
"I'd like that one, Lord," he whispered.
The Lord replied, "My son,
that is the cross you just brought in."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azYQqzoEjgU
Luke 23:33 And when they came to the place which is called Calvary, they crucified Him and the criminals there, one on the right, and one on the left.
Back to Calvary
An angel of the Lord
came and said to me,
“I want to take you back
to a place called Calvary.”
So back through time we went
the Lords angel and me,
back before all time that passed
back to that special place, named Calvary!
Though I knew of this place
from the Bible I did read,
I was so excited to be there
where our Lord died for you and me.
As I stood very still
with the Lords angel at my side,
I really didn’t notice anyone but Jesus
as He looked into my eyes.
In my heart I felt His suffering,
in my eyes I saw His pain,
and through it all He smiled at me
and then He said my name.
I fell to my knees and said,
“Lord so many just don’t see
the love you have for all of us
and the importance this place is, called Calvary.
E. P. Shagott
3/9/2009
Crosses
I had a dream I walked with Jesus,
carrying our crosses, side by side.
Though mine was so much smaller,
I felt Him lift the burden as time went by.
With each step He looked at me,
His eyes were filled with love
He steadied me when I began to stumble,
giving praise to the Father above.
At first the journey seemed too long,
to carry my cross all that way,
Jesus spoke to me and said,
“It’s not about the burden but what you do through it today”.
So whatever the cross you are carrying
may it become an aide to you,
to help someone else that is hurting
and show them Jesus is with them too.
E. P. Shagott
3/17/10
Fruit From The Cross
Who would of thought,
that something so sweet,
could come from tree
where Jesus died for you and me.
A tree that was used
to bring suffering and shame,
to the Son of Man
and Jesus was His name.
But from that tree
His fruits began to live on,
it took His unwavering love,
before it all began.
So praise to God the Father,
for on that tree His Son paid the cost.
It was the only way that through us,
we can bear fruit from the Cross!
E. P. Shagott
3/3/10
I Love You, He Said
I love you, He said,
as the first nail went in.
I do this for you
because of your sin.
The shame that I bear I do this for you,
He said this as
the mallet hit nail number two.
The reason I came
was so all would be free.
I love you, He said
as they hit nail three.
He hung there for hours,
then bowed His head.
“My Father,
why have You forsaken me?
I love You, He said!”
E. P. Shagott
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Saturday, March 20, 2010
God in Everything
This is a wonderful devotional by Mrs. Charles Cowman Devotional - Streams in the Desert, that we should read and reread. To grasp this message is to learn about life. The poem by A. E. Finn is awesome! May your eyes read, your mind process and your heart store and surround with love.
"It is the Lord: let him do what seemeth him good". (1 Sam. 3:18)
[See God in everything, and God will calm and color all that thou dost see!" It may be that the circumstances of our sorrows will not be removed, their condition will remain unchanged; but if Christ, as Lord and Master of our life, is brought into our grief and gloom, "HE will compass us about with songs of deliverance." To see HIM, and to be sure that His wisdom cannot err, His power cannot fail, His love can never change; to know that even His direst dealings with us are for our deepest spiritual gain, is to be able to say, in the midst of bereavement, sorrow, pain, and loss, "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath, taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."
Nothing else but seeing God in everything will make us loving and patient with those who annoy and trouble us. They will be to us then only instruments for accomplishing His tender and wise purposes toward us, and we shall even find ourselves at last inwardly thanking them for the blessings they bring us. Nothing else will completely put an end to all murmuring or rebelling thoughts.--H. W. Smith.]
["Give me a new idea," I said,
While musing on a sleepless bed;
"A new idea that'll bring to earth
A balm for souls of priceless worth;
That'll give men thoughts of things above,
And teach them how to serve and love,
That'll banish every selfish thought,
And rid men of the sins they've fought."
The new thought came, just how, I'll tell:
'Twas when on bended knee I fell,
And sought from HIM who knows full well
The way our sorrow to expel.
SEE GOD IN ALL THINGS, great and small,
And give HIM praise whate'er befall,
In life or death, in pain or woe,
See God, and overcome thy foe.
I saw HIM in the morning light,
HE made the day shine clear and bright;
I saw HIM in the noontide hour,
And gained from HIM refreshing shower.
At eventide, when worn and sad,
HE gave me help, and made me glad.
At midnight, when on tossing bed
My weary soul to sleep HE led.
I saw HIM when great losses came,
And found HE loved me just the same.
When heavy loads I had to bear,
I found HE lightened every care.
By sickness, sorrow, sore distress,
HE calmed my mind and gave me rest.
HE'S filled my heart with gladsome praise
Since I gave HIM the upward gaze.
'Twas new to me, yet old to some,
This thought that to me has become
A revelation of the way
We all should live throughout the day;
For as each day unfolds its light,
We'll walk by faith and not by sight.
Life will, indeed, a blessing bring,
If we SEE GOD IN EVERYTHING."
--A. E. Finn]
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
"It is the Lord: let him do what seemeth him good". (1 Sam. 3:18)
[See God in everything, and God will calm and color all that thou dost see!" It may be that the circumstances of our sorrows will not be removed, their condition will remain unchanged; but if Christ, as Lord and Master of our life, is brought into our grief and gloom, "HE will compass us about with songs of deliverance." To see HIM, and to be sure that His wisdom cannot err, His power cannot fail, His love can never change; to know that even His direst dealings with us are for our deepest spiritual gain, is to be able to say, in the midst of bereavement, sorrow, pain, and loss, "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath, taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."
Nothing else but seeing God in everything will make us loving and patient with those who annoy and trouble us. They will be to us then only instruments for accomplishing His tender and wise purposes toward us, and we shall even find ourselves at last inwardly thanking them for the blessings they bring us. Nothing else will completely put an end to all murmuring or rebelling thoughts.--H. W. Smith.]
["Give me a new idea," I said,
While musing on a sleepless bed;
"A new idea that'll bring to earth
A balm for souls of priceless worth;
That'll give men thoughts of things above,
And teach them how to serve and love,
That'll banish every selfish thought,
And rid men of the sins they've fought."
The new thought came, just how, I'll tell:
'Twas when on bended knee I fell,
And sought from HIM who knows full well
The way our sorrow to expel.
SEE GOD IN ALL THINGS, great and small,
And give HIM praise whate'er befall,
In life or death, in pain or woe,
See God, and overcome thy foe.
I saw HIM in the morning light,
HE made the day shine clear and bright;
I saw HIM in the noontide hour,
And gained from HIM refreshing shower.
At eventide, when worn and sad,
HE gave me help, and made me glad.
At midnight, when on tossing bed
My weary soul to sleep HE led.
I saw HIM when great losses came,
And found HE loved me just the same.
When heavy loads I had to bear,
I found HE lightened every care.
By sickness, sorrow, sore distress,
HE calmed my mind and gave me rest.
HE'S filled my heart with gladsome praise
Since I gave HIM the upward gaze.
'Twas new to me, yet old to some,
This thought that to me has become
A revelation of the way
We all should live throughout the day;
For as each day unfolds its light,
We'll walk by faith and not by sight.
Life will, indeed, a blessing bring,
If we SEE GOD IN EVERYTHING."
--A. E. Finn]
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
His Cross, My Cross
Carry Your Cross
"Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me" (Mark 8:34).
This is a very good devotional. An excellent read before you start your day. Yesterday I had two programs to present for the God's Love Outreach Ministry. Both of the nursing homes I was in I felt His presence there. The program for the month was about having fun, being happy. Every time I enter a home I see the looks on the faces of these residents, some I see each month for it is where they live now. Because of their own physical or mental problems they are facing, it is their life now.
I wonder to myself if this is their cross that they are called to bear. We belong to a loving God who I know did not bring this on them and He is there with them to help ease the burden from it.
Toward the end of this devotional the author writes as to how this burden is lifted. He wrote "ripen my wisdom, to deepen my peace, to increase my courage, to augment my power to be of use to others", and that is exactly what I see in these residents. They are always saying, thank you, smiling, even holding someones hand who is hurting. They are using their crosses to help them on, day by day!
[Mrs. Charles Cowman Devotional - Streams in the Desert]
[The cross which my Lord bids me take up and carry may assume different shapes. I may have to content myself with a lowly and narrow sphere, when I feel that I have capacities for much higher work. I may have to go on cultivating year after year, a field which seems to yield me no harvests whatsoever. I may be bidden to cherish kind and loving thoughts about someone who has wronged me--be bidden speak to him tenderly, and take his part against all who oppose him, and crown him with sympathy and succor. I may have to confess my Master amongst those who do not wish to be reminded of Him and His claims. I may be called to "move among my race, and show a glorious morning face," when my heart is breaking.
There are many crosses, and every one of them is sore and heavy. None of them is likely to be sought out by me of my own accord. But never is Jesus so near me as when I lift my cross, and lay it submissively on my shoulder, and give it the welcome of a patient and unmurmuring spirit.
He draws close, to ripen my wisdom, to deepen my peace, to increase my courage, to augment my power to be of use to others, through the very experience which is so grievous and distressing, and then--as I read on the seal of one of those Scottish Covenanters whom Claverhouse imprisoned on the lonely Bass, with the sea surging and sobbing round--I grow under the load.--Alexander Smellie.
"Use your cross as a crutch to help you on, and not as a stumblingblock to cast you down."
"You may others from sadness to gladness beguile,
If you carry your cross with a smile."]
Crosses
I had a dream I walked with Jesus,
carrying our crosses, side by side.
Though mine was so much smaller,
I felt Him lift the burden as time went by.
With each step He looked at me,
His eyes were filled with love
He steadied me when I began to stumble,
giving praise to the Father above.
At first the journey seemed too long,
to carry my cross all that way,
Jesus spoke to me and said,
“It’s not about the burden but what you do through it today”.
So whatever the cross you are carrying
may it become an aide to you,
to help someone else that is hurting
and show them Jesus is with them too.
E. P. Shagott
3/17/10
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
"Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me" (Mark 8:34).
This is a very good devotional. An excellent read before you start your day. Yesterday I had two programs to present for the God's Love Outreach Ministry. Both of the nursing homes I was in I felt His presence there. The program for the month was about having fun, being happy. Every time I enter a home I see the looks on the faces of these residents, some I see each month for it is where they live now. Because of their own physical or mental problems they are facing, it is their life now.
I wonder to myself if this is their cross that they are called to bear. We belong to a loving God who I know did not bring this on them and He is there with them to help ease the burden from it.
Toward the end of this devotional the author writes as to how this burden is lifted. He wrote "ripen my wisdom, to deepen my peace, to increase my courage, to augment my power to be of use to others", and that is exactly what I see in these residents. They are always saying, thank you, smiling, even holding someones hand who is hurting. They are using their crosses to help them on, day by day!
[Mrs. Charles Cowman Devotional - Streams in the Desert]
[The cross which my Lord bids me take up and carry may assume different shapes. I may have to content myself with a lowly and narrow sphere, when I feel that I have capacities for much higher work. I may have to go on cultivating year after year, a field which seems to yield me no harvests whatsoever. I may be bidden to cherish kind and loving thoughts about someone who has wronged me--be bidden speak to him tenderly, and take his part against all who oppose him, and crown him with sympathy and succor. I may have to confess my Master amongst those who do not wish to be reminded of Him and His claims. I may be called to "move among my race, and show a glorious morning face," when my heart is breaking.
There are many crosses, and every one of them is sore and heavy. None of them is likely to be sought out by me of my own accord. But never is Jesus so near me as when I lift my cross, and lay it submissively on my shoulder, and give it the welcome of a patient and unmurmuring spirit.
He draws close, to ripen my wisdom, to deepen my peace, to increase my courage, to augment my power to be of use to others, through the very experience which is so grievous and distressing, and then--as I read on the seal of one of those Scottish Covenanters whom Claverhouse imprisoned on the lonely Bass, with the sea surging and sobbing round--I grow under the load.--Alexander Smellie.
"Use your cross as a crutch to help you on, and not as a stumblingblock to cast you down."
"You may others from sadness to gladness beguile,
If you carry your cross with a smile."]
Crosses
I had a dream I walked with Jesus,
carrying our crosses, side by side.
Though mine was so much smaller,
I felt Him lift the burden as time went by.
With each step He looked at me,
His eyes were filled with love
He steadied me when I began to stumble,
giving praise to the Father above.
At first the journey seemed too long,
to carry my cross all that way,
Jesus spoke to me and said,
“It’s not about the burden but what you do through it today”.
So whatever the cross you are carrying
may it become an aide to you,
to help someone else that is hurting
and show them Jesus is with them too.
E. P. Shagott
3/17/10
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
You have a part!
I like this devotional by A. B. Simpson. As I was reading it my thoughts went back to the early programs that the God's Love Outreach Ministry were presenting to nursing homes for shut-ins. In the early beginning of this ministry, a group of 6-8 of God's children, were going as a supporting group to help in any way to bring the message of His love and grace. Next month on the 17th of April this ministry will be presenting in celebration it's 1000th program.
Are the same 6-8 people still helping as in the beginning? No, and probably many would say they just can't see or understand what their role is. Of course for me, it was my calling. God put this on my heart. So I guess I would be considered as Mr. Simpson wrote "the machine". For I am the one in the forefront delivering His message. Does that mean that those others had a less important part of what God wanted them to do? No. It was just as important.
I will always remember back to one of the 1000 programs that the ministry was presenting. A friend of mine was one of the 6-8 who went to help. As a song was being sung I looked out at the residents and he was there holding a hand of a young woman who was in a bed chair and they were singing together. Though I was standing in front my friend was the one, through his love for Christ, ministering to this young woman.
Maybe he thought he had a small part, a rivet holding the machine in place, but to God because of my friends obedience, my friend was doing just what God wanted him to do!
*******************************************
"How ye ought to walk and please God" (I. Thess. iv. 1).
[A devotional by A. B. Simpson]
[How many dear Christians are in the place that the Lord has appointed them, and yet the devil is harassing their lives with a vague sense of not quite pleasing the Lord. Could they just settle down in the place that God has assigned them and fill it sweetly and lovingly for Him there would be more joy in their hearts and more power in their lives. God wants us all in various places, and the secret of accomplishing the most for Him is to recognize our places from Him and our service in it as pleasing Him. In the great factory and machine there is a place for the smallest screw and rivet as well as the great driving wheel and piston, and so God has His little screws whose business is simply to stay where He puts them and to believe that He wants them there and is making the most of their lives in the little spaces that they fill for Him.
There is something all can do,
Tho' you're neither wise nor strong;
You can be a helper true,
You can stand when friends are few,
Some lone heart has need of you,
You can help along.]
Your Purpose
You have a job to do for God,
something you were designed to do.
So many people go through life
never understanding what theirs is too.
The work that He has for us,
to many may seem simple or small.
But to God, our Father above,
important work for one and all.
See the more you focus on Jesus,
you'll understand the work He begun,
for He always said, "Father not my will,
but let Your will be done!"
Friends, you will never understand your purpose,
that God created you to be,
until you can look in the mirror
and say to yourself, "It's not about me!"
E. P. Shagott
3/9/10
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Are the same 6-8 people still helping as in the beginning? No, and probably many would say they just can't see or understand what their role is. Of course for me, it was my calling. God put this on my heart. So I guess I would be considered as Mr. Simpson wrote "the machine". For I am the one in the forefront delivering His message. Does that mean that those others had a less important part of what God wanted them to do? No. It was just as important.
I will always remember back to one of the 1000 programs that the ministry was presenting. A friend of mine was one of the 6-8 who went to help. As a song was being sung I looked out at the residents and he was there holding a hand of a young woman who was in a bed chair and they were singing together. Though I was standing in front my friend was the one, through his love for Christ, ministering to this young woman.
Maybe he thought he had a small part, a rivet holding the machine in place, but to God because of my friends obedience, my friend was doing just what God wanted him to do!
*******************************************
"How ye ought to walk and please God" (I. Thess. iv. 1).
[A devotional by A. B. Simpson]
[How many dear Christians are in the place that the Lord has appointed them, and yet the devil is harassing their lives with a vague sense of not quite pleasing the Lord. Could they just settle down in the place that God has assigned them and fill it sweetly and lovingly for Him there would be more joy in their hearts and more power in their lives. God wants us all in various places, and the secret of accomplishing the most for Him is to recognize our places from Him and our service in it as pleasing Him. In the great factory and machine there is a place for the smallest screw and rivet as well as the great driving wheel and piston, and so God has His little screws whose business is simply to stay where He puts them and to believe that He wants them there and is making the most of their lives in the little spaces that they fill for Him.
There is something all can do,
Tho' you're neither wise nor strong;
You can be a helper true,
You can stand when friends are few,
Some lone heart has need of you,
You can help along.]
Your Purpose
You have a job to do for God,
something you were designed to do.
So many people go through life
never understanding what theirs is too.
The work that He has for us,
to many may seem simple or small.
But to God, our Father above,
important work for one and all.
See the more you focus on Jesus,
you'll understand the work He begun,
for He always said, "Father not my will,
but let Your will be done!"
Friends, you will never understand your purpose,
that God created you to be,
until you can look in the mirror
and say to yourself, "It's not about me!"
E. P. Shagott
3/9/10
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Fruit from the Cross
As I came upon this devotional by Charles Stanley today, I thought to myself, "that is me!" In my testimony that I love to share with people, I understand now that at the age of 15 years I was empowered by the Holy Spirit. When asked on that day If I would want to give my heart to Jesus, I said "Yes!" Enter the Holy Spirit. Now as you read Mr. Stanley's devotional and also the Word of God before it, you can see what a gift was given to me that day.
The other part of the devotional below which is very important is a key word "surrender". Until you come to that time in your life to do that, willingly,the leading of the Spirit can be "turned off" or ignored as it was stated below. As I was reading this devotional I said to myself, "that is what happened to me". For a lot of years I had the Spirit "turned off, tuned out, shut-down", well, you can pick the term you want but I did. Then, on that special day, I surrendered all! Now you can understand the change in my life. Now I am "living a Godly life, producing "Fruit from the Cross!"
********************************************
Walking in the Spirit [by Charles Stanley]
Galatians 5:16-25
Gal 5:16 I say, then, Walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.
Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. And these are contrary to one another; lest whatever you may will, these things you do.
Gal 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are clearly revealed, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lustfulness,
Gal 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, fightings, jealousies, angers, rivalries, divisions, heresies,
Gal 5:21 envyings, murders, drunkennesses, revelings, and things like these; of which I tell you before, as I also said before, that they who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 meekness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Gal 5:24 But those belonging to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
[The Holy Spirit is one of God's most precious gifts to His beloved children. He takes up residence within the believer at the moment of salvation and empowers him to overcome sin and live for God's glory and purposes. However, the Spirit's power can be "turned off" or ignored. Only those who choose to walk with Him have unhindered access to His strength and guidance.
Walking by the Spirit denotes reliance upon Him. He leads the way, and we follow. As He speaks, we listen, heed His warnings, and obey His directions. The Spirit's way is a path of surrender which, although difficult, leads to fullness of life.
God's Spirit not only guides; He also empowers because the challenge of obeying Him is impossible in our own strength. The Holy Spirit supplies everything we need to live a godly life, and He produces His amazing fruit in us.
Being led by the Spirit should be the natural lifestyle of the sons and daughters of God. As you intentionally seek to maintain an awareness of His presence throughout the day, He is only a thought away. When your mind turns to Him, He gives sensitivity to the things of God and understanding about the situations and people in your life.
Take a walk with the Spirit today, and learn to know His voice. Whenever your mind is not occupied with the duties of the day, focus your thoughts on Him, asking for His guidance and looking expectantly for His leading. When He gives it, rely on His power to obey.]
Fruit From The Cross
Who would of thought,
that something so sweet,
could come from tree
where Jesus died for you and me.
A tree that was used
to bring suffering and shame,
to the Son of Man
and Jesus was His name.
But from that tree
His fruits began to live on,
it took His unwavering love,
before it all began.
So praise to God the Father,
for on that tree His Son paid the cost.
It was the only way that through us,
we can bear fruit from the Cross!
E. P. Shagott
3/3/10
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
The other part of the devotional below which is very important is a key word "surrender". Until you come to that time in your life to do that, willingly,the leading of the Spirit can be "turned off" or ignored as it was stated below. As I was reading this devotional I said to myself, "that is what happened to me". For a lot of years I had the Spirit "turned off, tuned out, shut-down", well, you can pick the term you want but I did. Then, on that special day, I surrendered all! Now you can understand the change in my life. Now I am "living a Godly life, producing "Fruit from the Cross!"
********************************************
Walking in the Spirit [by Charles Stanley]
Galatians 5:16-25
Gal 5:16 I say, then, Walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.
Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. And these are contrary to one another; lest whatever you may will, these things you do.
Gal 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are clearly revealed, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lustfulness,
Gal 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, fightings, jealousies, angers, rivalries, divisions, heresies,
Gal 5:21 envyings, murders, drunkennesses, revelings, and things like these; of which I tell you before, as I also said before, that they who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 meekness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Gal 5:24 But those belonging to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
[The Holy Spirit is one of God's most precious gifts to His beloved children. He takes up residence within the believer at the moment of salvation and empowers him to overcome sin and live for God's glory and purposes. However, the Spirit's power can be "turned off" or ignored. Only those who choose to walk with Him have unhindered access to His strength and guidance.
Walking by the Spirit denotes reliance upon Him. He leads the way, and we follow. As He speaks, we listen, heed His warnings, and obey His directions. The Spirit's way is a path of surrender which, although difficult, leads to fullness of life.
God's Spirit not only guides; He also empowers because the challenge of obeying Him is impossible in our own strength. The Holy Spirit supplies everything we need to live a godly life, and He produces His amazing fruit in us.
Being led by the Spirit should be the natural lifestyle of the sons and daughters of God. As you intentionally seek to maintain an awareness of His presence throughout the day, He is only a thought away. When your mind turns to Him, He gives sensitivity to the things of God and understanding about the situations and people in your life.
Take a walk with the Spirit today, and learn to know His voice. Whenever your mind is not occupied with the duties of the day, focus your thoughts on Him, asking for His guidance and looking expectantly for His leading. When He gives it, rely on His power to obey.]
Fruit From The Cross
Who would of thought,
that something so sweet,
could come from tree
where Jesus died for you and me.
A tree that was used
to bring suffering and shame,
to the Son of Man
and Jesus was His name.
But from that tree
His fruits began to live on,
it took His unwavering love,
before it all began.
So praise to God the Father,
for on that tree His Son paid the cost.
It was the only way that through us,
we can bear fruit from the Cross!
E. P. Shagott
3/3/10
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Friday, February 26, 2010
I'm Adjusted!
I truly feel adjusted in my life now. Christ has changed me! I like the word "adjusted" better than perfect, for I have a long way to go to come close to that. But adjusted, yes, that I feel now. It is easy to be adjusted, for once Jesus is in control, the fruits of the Spirit flow within you, as written in Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, Galatians 5:23 meekness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And what is also so important is what is written in Galatians 5:25-26 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become glory-seeking, provoking one another, envying one another.
So as I read this devotional it brought to mind that though Christ my life is now adjusted to His, for He is my life-work now.
"Make you perfect in every good work" (Heb. xiii. 21).
[A devotional by A. B. Simpson]
[In that beautiful prayer at the close of the Epistle to the Hebrews, "Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead, our Lord Jesus Christ, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will," the phrase, "make you perfect in every good work," literally means, it is said, "adjust you in every good work." It is a great thing to be adjusted, adjusted to our surroundings and circumstances rather than trying to have them adjusted to us, adjusted to the people we are thrown with, adjusted to the work God has for us, and not trying to get God to help us to do our work; adjusted to do the very will and plan of God for us in our whole life. This is the secret of rest, power and freedom in our life-work.
"Oh, fill me with Thy fulness, Lord.
Until my very heart o'erflow
In kindling thought and glowing word,
Thy love to tell, Thy praise to show.
Oh, use me, Lord, use even me,
Just as Thou wilt, and when, and where;
Until Thy blessed face I see,
Thy rest, Thy joy, Thy glory share."]
God's Tool Chest
God has a special tool chest,
that He uses from up above.
Each tool of His is special,
designed through His wonderful love.
Each tool has a name,
the same given to you and me.
Each one has a special purpose,
to accomplish His will, obediently.
Each earthly tool has a mission
and how important it is.
We were created to complete God's work,
because all the glory is His.
So thank You Lord for choosing me,
and may all others see it too,
just how important it is to be
a divine, living tool for You!
E. P. Shagott
2/26/10
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
So as I read this devotional it brought to mind that though Christ my life is now adjusted to His, for He is my life-work now.
"Make you perfect in every good work" (Heb. xiii. 21).
[A devotional by A. B. Simpson]
[In that beautiful prayer at the close of the Epistle to the Hebrews, "Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead, our Lord Jesus Christ, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will," the phrase, "make you perfect in every good work," literally means, it is said, "adjust you in every good work." It is a great thing to be adjusted, adjusted to our surroundings and circumstances rather than trying to have them adjusted to us, adjusted to the people we are thrown with, adjusted to the work God has for us, and not trying to get God to help us to do our work; adjusted to do the very will and plan of God for us in our whole life. This is the secret of rest, power and freedom in our life-work.
"Oh, fill me with Thy fulness, Lord.
Until my very heart o'erflow
In kindling thought and glowing word,
Thy love to tell, Thy praise to show.
Oh, use me, Lord, use even me,
Just as Thou wilt, and when, and where;
Until Thy blessed face I see,
Thy rest, Thy joy, Thy glory share."]
God's Tool Chest
God has a special tool chest,
that He uses from up above.
Each tool of His is special,
designed through His wonderful love.
Each tool has a name,
the same given to you and me.
Each one has a special purpose,
to accomplish His will, obediently.
Each earthly tool has a mission
and how important it is.
We were created to complete God's work,
because all the glory is His.
So thank You Lord for choosing me,
and may all others see it too,
just how important it is to be
a divine, living tool for You!
E. P. Shagott
2/26/10
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Monday, February 22, 2010
Waiting for a miracle
Yesterday my wife heard that her father had passed away from a heart attack. As I read this devotional today I was thinking that as his health was declining several months ago that she was probably waiting for a miracle. Then I thought, could God given her a miracle? Sure, for Jesus is in the miracle business. I remember in December last year shortly before Christmas she got the news that her father wasn't doing well. Being 3000+ miles away, she feared she might not get to see him again to say her final goodbye. He passed yesterday almost two months later.
She did get to see him one last time in January to say, "Goodbye Dad!" Was that her miracle?
Please take time to read that last paragraph slowly and understand what the author wrote.
I also wrote a poem for my father-in-law yesterday morning during our Sunday service.
[A devotional by Mrs. Charles Cowman Devotional - Streams in the Desert]
No Miracles
"And the rest, some on boards, some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass that they escaped all safe to land" (Acts 27:44).
[The marvelous story of Paul's voyage to Rome, with its trials and triumphs, is a fine pattern of the lights and shades of the way of faith all through the story of human life. The remarkable feature of it is the hard and narrow places which we find intermingled with God's most extraordinary interpositions and providences.
It is the common idea that the pathway of faith is strewn with flowers, and that when God interposes in the life of His people, He does it on a scale so grand that He lifts us quite out of the plane of difficulties. The actual fact, however, is that the real experience is quite contrary. The story of the Bible is one of alternate trial and triumph in the case of everyone of the cloud of witnesses from Abel down to the latest martyr.
Paul, more than anyone else, was an example of how much a child of God can suffer without being crushed or broken in spirit. On account of his testifying in Damascus, he was hunted down by persecutors and obliged to fly for his life. but we behold no heavenly chariot transporting the holy apostle amid thunderbolts of flame from the reach of his foes, but "through a window in a basket," was he let down over the walls of Damascus and so escaped their hands. In an old clothes basket, like a bundle of laundry, or groceries, the servant of Jesus Christ was dropped from the window and ignominiously fled from the hate of his foes.
Again we find him left for months in the lonely dungeons; we find him telling of his watchings, his fastings, and his desertion by friends, of his brutal and shameful beatings, and here even after God has promised to deliver him, we see him for days left to toss upon a stormy sea, obliged to stand guard over the treacherous seaman, and at last when the deliverance comes, there is no heavenly galley sailing from the skies to take off the noble prisoner; there is no angel form walking along the waters and stilling the raging breakers; there is no supernatural sign of the transcendent miracle that is being wrought; but one is compelled to seize a spar, another a floating plank, another to climb on a fragment of the wreck, another to strike out and swim for his life.
Here is God's pattern for our own lives. Here is a Gospel of help for people that have to live in this every day world with real and ordinary surroundings, and a thousand practical conditions which have to be met in a thoroughly practical way.
God's promises and God's providences do not lift us out of the plane of common sense and commonplace trial, but it is through these very things that faith is perfected, and that God loves to interweave the golden threads of His love along the warp and woof of our every day experience.--Hard Places in the Way of Faith]
A Frenchman Entered Heaven
A Frenchman entered Heaven today,
Jesus met him at the gate.
He said, Jean, you’re right on time,
I knew you wouldn’t be late.
You’re time on earth was spent very well,
your family loved you so.
I know how hurt they are
to see you finally go.
I know their hurt will subside,
though it will never leave.
Your life on earth is now complete,
now you’re here with Me.
So come on in Jean Petrement,
your family will be right behind.
Eternity waits for everyone,
it’s only separated by time.”
E. P. Shagott
2/21/10
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
She did get to see him one last time in January to say, "Goodbye Dad!" Was that her miracle?
Please take time to read that last paragraph slowly and understand what the author wrote.
I also wrote a poem for my father-in-law yesterday morning during our Sunday service.
[A devotional by Mrs. Charles Cowman Devotional - Streams in the Desert]
No Miracles
"And the rest, some on boards, some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass that they escaped all safe to land" (Acts 27:44).
[The marvelous story of Paul's voyage to Rome, with its trials and triumphs, is a fine pattern of the lights and shades of the way of faith all through the story of human life. The remarkable feature of it is the hard and narrow places which we find intermingled with God's most extraordinary interpositions and providences.
It is the common idea that the pathway of faith is strewn with flowers, and that when God interposes in the life of His people, He does it on a scale so grand that He lifts us quite out of the plane of difficulties. The actual fact, however, is that the real experience is quite contrary. The story of the Bible is one of alternate trial and triumph in the case of everyone of the cloud of witnesses from Abel down to the latest martyr.
Paul, more than anyone else, was an example of how much a child of God can suffer without being crushed or broken in spirit. On account of his testifying in Damascus, he was hunted down by persecutors and obliged to fly for his life. but we behold no heavenly chariot transporting the holy apostle amid thunderbolts of flame from the reach of his foes, but "through a window in a basket," was he let down over the walls of Damascus and so escaped their hands. In an old clothes basket, like a bundle of laundry, or groceries, the servant of Jesus Christ was dropped from the window and ignominiously fled from the hate of his foes.
Again we find him left for months in the lonely dungeons; we find him telling of his watchings, his fastings, and his desertion by friends, of his brutal and shameful beatings, and here even after God has promised to deliver him, we see him for days left to toss upon a stormy sea, obliged to stand guard over the treacherous seaman, and at last when the deliverance comes, there is no heavenly galley sailing from the skies to take off the noble prisoner; there is no angel form walking along the waters and stilling the raging breakers; there is no supernatural sign of the transcendent miracle that is being wrought; but one is compelled to seize a spar, another a floating plank, another to climb on a fragment of the wreck, another to strike out and swim for his life.
Here is God's pattern for our own lives. Here is a Gospel of help for people that have to live in this every day world with real and ordinary surroundings, and a thousand practical conditions which have to be met in a thoroughly practical way.
God's promises and God's providences do not lift us out of the plane of common sense and commonplace trial, but it is through these very things that faith is perfected, and that God loves to interweave the golden threads of His love along the warp and woof of our every day experience.--Hard Places in the Way of Faith]
A Frenchman Entered Heaven
A Frenchman entered Heaven today,
Jesus met him at the gate.
He said, Jean, you’re right on time,
I knew you wouldn’t be late.
You’re time on earth was spent very well,
your family loved you so.
I know how hurt they are
to see you finally go.
I know their hurt will subside,
though it will never leave.
Your life on earth is now complete,
now you’re here with Me.
So come on in Jean Petrement,
your family will be right behind.
Eternity waits for everyone,
it’s only separated by time.”
E. P. Shagott
2/21/10
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Friday, February 19, 2010
Just Stay
I received this story via email from a friend this morning. A good message as you start your day. This is definitely a "Heart Print"!
*****************************************
A nurse took the tired, anxious serviceman to the bedside.
"Your son is here," she said to the old man.
She had to repeat the words several times before the patients eyes opened.
Heavily sedated because of the pain of his heart attack, he dimly saw the young uniformed Marine standing outside the oxygen tent. He reached out his hand. The Marine wrapped his toughened fingers around the old man's limp ones, squeezing a message of love and encouragement.
The nurse brought a chair so that the Marine could sit beside the bed. All through the night the young Marine sat there in the poorly lighted ward, holding the old man's hand and offering him words of love and strength. Occasionally, the nurse suggested that the Marine move away and rest awhile.
He refused. Whenever the nurse came into the ward, the Marine was oblivious of her and of the night noises of the hospital - the clanking of the oxygen tank, the laughter of the night staff members exchanging greetings, the cries and moans of the other patients.
Now and then she heard him say a few gentle words. The dying man said nothing, only held tightly to his son all through the night.
Along towards dawn, the old man died. The Marine released the now lifeless hand he had been holding and went to tell the nurse. While she did what she had to do, he waited.
Finally, she returned. She started to offer words of sympathy, but the Marine interrupted her.
"Who was that man?" he asked.
The nurse was startled, "He was your father," she answered.
"No, he wasn't," the Marine replied. "I never saw him before in my life."
"Then why didn't you say something when I took you to him?"
"I knew right away there had been a mistake,
but I also knew he needed his son and his son just wasn't here.
When I realized that he was too sick to tell whether or not I was his son,
knowing how much he needed me, I stayed.
I came here tonight to find a Mr. William Grey. His son was killed in Iraq
today, and I was sent to inform him. What was this gentleman's name?”
The nurse with tears in her eyes answered:
Mr. William Grey.............
The next time someone needs you ... just be there. Stay.
WE ARE NOT HUMAN BEINGS GOING THROUGH A
TEMPORARY SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE.
WE ARE SPIRITUAL BEINGS GOING THROUGH A
TEMPORARY HUMAN EXPERIENCE.
THIS IS WHAT WE ARE PUT ON THIS EARTH TO DO ANYWAY. RIGHT ?
HAVE A GREAT DAY AND BLESS SOMEONE ELSE IN SOME LITTLE WAY TODAY!
GOD IS SO GOOD.
*****************************************
Please Stay
I was hurting and confused,
lost in every way.
A person came near me
and I said, "Please stay!"
This life is sometimes hard
when you are traveling all alone.
I grabbed onto this persons hand,
and said "I really don't have a home."
A home is filled with laughter,
filled with people that really care,
but when you are alone
it seems so very hard to bear.
So please stay with me just a little while
words of love maybe we can share.
I really need someone to be with me
just someone to show they care.
E. P. Shagott
2/19/10
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
*****************************************
A nurse took the tired, anxious serviceman to the bedside.
"Your son is here," she said to the old man.
She had to repeat the words several times before the patients eyes opened.
Heavily sedated because of the pain of his heart attack, he dimly saw the young uniformed Marine standing outside the oxygen tent. He reached out his hand. The Marine wrapped his toughened fingers around the old man's limp ones, squeezing a message of love and encouragement.
The nurse brought a chair so that the Marine could sit beside the bed. All through the night the young Marine sat there in the poorly lighted ward, holding the old man's hand and offering him words of love and strength. Occasionally, the nurse suggested that the Marine move away and rest awhile.
He refused. Whenever the nurse came into the ward, the Marine was oblivious of her and of the night noises of the hospital - the clanking of the oxygen tank, the laughter of the night staff members exchanging greetings, the cries and moans of the other patients.
Now and then she heard him say a few gentle words. The dying man said nothing, only held tightly to his son all through the night.
Along towards dawn, the old man died. The Marine released the now lifeless hand he had been holding and went to tell the nurse. While she did what she had to do, he waited.
Finally, she returned. She started to offer words of sympathy, but the Marine interrupted her.
"Who was that man?" he asked.
The nurse was startled, "He was your father," she answered.
"No, he wasn't," the Marine replied. "I never saw him before in my life."
"Then why didn't you say something when I took you to him?"
"I knew right away there had been a mistake,
but I also knew he needed his son and his son just wasn't here.
When I realized that he was too sick to tell whether or not I was his son,
knowing how much he needed me, I stayed.
I came here tonight to find a Mr. William Grey. His son was killed in Iraq
today, and I was sent to inform him. What was this gentleman's name?”
The nurse with tears in her eyes answered:
Mr. William Grey.............
The next time someone needs you ... just be there. Stay.
WE ARE NOT HUMAN BEINGS GOING THROUGH A
TEMPORARY SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE.
WE ARE SPIRITUAL BEINGS GOING THROUGH A
TEMPORARY HUMAN EXPERIENCE.
THIS IS WHAT WE ARE PUT ON THIS EARTH TO DO ANYWAY. RIGHT ?
HAVE A GREAT DAY AND BLESS SOMEONE ELSE IN SOME LITTLE WAY TODAY!
GOD IS SO GOOD.
*****************************************
Please Stay
I was hurting and confused,
lost in every way.
A person came near me
and I said, "Please stay!"
This life is sometimes hard
when you are traveling all alone.
I grabbed onto this persons hand,
and said "I really don't have a home."
A home is filled with laughter,
filled with people that really care,
but when you are alone
it seems so very hard to bear.
So please stay with me just a little while
words of love maybe we can share.
I really need someone to be with me
just someone to show they care.
E. P. Shagott
2/19/10
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Trials
Last night, like many nights now, my 13 year old dog "Buddy" has a hard time sleeping through the night. For some unknown reason he starts barking, then stops for a few minutes, then starts barking again. Even now, (4:30 am) as I type this blog, he is sound asleep. So I am wondering if it is because when I am sleeping he does not feel as safe and secure as to when the lights are on and I am sitting up. Maybe he is thinking I am on guard for him? That's a switch. I have noticed that as we get older we start feeling less secure. Maybe it is that way with animals too?
Well, even though I could of used this time sleeping, I thought it would be good to read a few devotionals and a few bible verses. As I read Charles Spurgeon's devotional for this morning there it was in black and white. My lack of sleep tonight is just a small trial the Lord has put upon me. I am truly aware of His grace through trials. Being involved with the God's Love Outreach Ministry I also can see the many trials that so many of "His wounded" in nursing homes are facing daily. It is one thing to go through trials when your body is functioning, but what when it gives out on you? What about when almost every daily action requires someone to help you with it. These are large trials my friends. Enormous ones. My little trial of lack of sleep seems so pitiful compared to theirs. But little or small the one common bond through all our trials is Christ. I am so amazed that when after a program and I am visiting with the residents how they always manage to say "thank you" and also give me a smile. That is God's grace being shared with me.
I pray that whatever your trial might be today, that you thank God for this chance to be closer to Him! Trials do that you know.
“Shew me wherefore thou contendest with me.”
- Job 10:2
[A devotional by Charles Spurgeon]
[Perhaps, O tried soul, the Lord is doing this to develop thy graces. There are some of thy graces which would never be discovered if it were not for thy trials. Dost thou not know that thy faith never looks so grand in summer weather as it does in winter? Love is too often like a glow-worm, showing but little light except it be in the midst of surrounding darkness. Hope itself is like a star-not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of adversity. Afflictions are often the black foils in which God doth set the jewels of his children’s graces, to make them shine the better. It was but a little while ago that on thy knees thou wast saying, “Lord, I fear I have no faith: let me know that I have faith.” Was not this really, though perhaps unconsciously, praying for trials?-for how canst thou know that thou hast faith until thy faith is exercised? Depend upon it, God often sends us trials that our graces may be discovered, and that we may be certified of their existence. Besides, it is not merely discovery, real growth in grace is the result of sanctified trials. God often takes away our comforts and our privileges in order to make us better Christians. He trains his soldiers, not in tents of ease and luxury, but by turning them out and using them to forced marches and hard service. He makes them ford through streams, and swim through rivers, and climb mountains, and walk many a long mile with heavy knapsacks of sorrow on their backs. Well, Christian, may not this account for the troubles through which thou art passing? Is not the Lord bringing out your graces, and making them grow? Is not this the reason why he is contending with you?
“Trials make the promise sweet;
Trials give new life to prayer;
Trials bring me to his feet,
Lay me low, and keep me there.”]
Trials
With each day
that comes a new,
there are some trials
that seem to come too.
Each trial brings
it's pains and cares,
that sometime seem
too much to bear.
My heart cries out
Lord what can I do?
I need Your help
to get me through.
Then as the trial
begins to fade,
I finally realize
why it was made.
For all my trials
that I am going through,
I find myself
the closest to You!
E. P. Shagott
2/18/10
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Well, even though I could of used this time sleeping, I thought it would be good to read a few devotionals and a few bible verses. As I read Charles Spurgeon's devotional for this morning there it was in black and white. My lack of sleep tonight is just a small trial the Lord has put upon me. I am truly aware of His grace through trials. Being involved with the God's Love Outreach Ministry I also can see the many trials that so many of "His wounded" in nursing homes are facing daily. It is one thing to go through trials when your body is functioning, but what when it gives out on you? What about when almost every daily action requires someone to help you with it. These are large trials my friends. Enormous ones. My little trial of lack of sleep seems so pitiful compared to theirs. But little or small the one common bond through all our trials is Christ. I am so amazed that when after a program and I am visiting with the residents how they always manage to say "thank you" and also give me a smile. That is God's grace being shared with me.
I pray that whatever your trial might be today, that you thank God for this chance to be closer to Him! Trials do that you know.
“Shew me wherefore thou contendest with me.”
- Job 10:2
[A devotional by Charles Spurgeon]
[Perhaps, O tried soul, the Lord is doing this to develop thy graces. There are some of thy graces which would never be discovered if it were not for thy trials. Dost thou not know that thy faith never looks so grand in summer weather as it does in winter? Love is too often like a glow-worm, showing but little light except it be in the midst of surrounding darkness. Hope itself is like a star-not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of adversity. Afflictions are often the black foils in which God doth set the jewels of his children’s graces, to make them shine the better. It was but a little while ago that on thy knees thou wast saying, “Lord, I fear I have no faith: let me know that I have faith.” Was not this really, though perhaps unconsciously, praying for trials?-for how canst thou know that thou hast faith until thy faith is exercised? Depend upon it, God often sends us trials that our graces may be discovered, and that we may be certified of their existence. Besides, it is not merely discovery, real growth in grace is the result of sanctified trials. God often takes away our comforts and our privileges in order to make us better Christians. He trains his soldiers, not in tents of ease and luxury, but by turning them out and using them to forced marches and hard service. He makes them ford through streams, and swim through rivers, and climb mountains, and walk many a long mile with heavy knapsacks of sorrow on their backs. Well, Christian, may not this account for the troubles through which thou art passing? Is not the Lord bringing out your graces, and making them grow? Is not this the reason why he is contending with you?
“Trials make the promise sweet;
Trials give new life to prayer;
Trials bring me to his feet,
Lay me low, and keep me there.”]
Trials
With each day
that comes a new,
there are some trials
that seem to come too.
Each trial brings
it's pains and cares,
that sometime seem
too much to bear.
My heart cries out
Lord what can I do?
I need Your help
to get me through.
Then as the trial
begins to fade,
I finally realize
why it was made.
For all my trials
that I am going through,
I find myself
the closest to You!
E. P. Shagott
2/18/10
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Friday, February 12, 2010
The Key
Did you ever lock yourself out of your house? Sometimes people have even locked themselves out of their cars with the key inside the ignition. You can look through the window and see the key that is needed to open the door but you can't get to it. Well, this devotional to me is speaking of the key. The key of daily living. It is called "the Kingdom of God"! It is His will that matters and once you can grasp that, everything else is there for us. My friends, all I can say is it works for me.
February 12
"But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew vi. 33).
[A devotional by A. B. Simpson]
[For every heart that is seeking anything from the Lord this is a good watchword. That very thing, or the desire for it, may unconsciously separate you from the Lord, or at least from the singleness of your purpose unto Him. The thing we desire may be a right thing, but we may desire it in a distrusting and selfish spirit. Let us commit it to Him, and not cease to believe for it, but let us, at the same time, keep our purpose fixed on His will and glory, and claim even His promised blessings, not for themselves or ourselves, but for Him. Then shall it be true, "Delight thyself in the Lord, and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart." All other things but Himself God will "add." But they must be ever added, never first.
Then shall we be able to believe for them without doubt, when we claim them for Him and not for ourselves. It is only when "we are Christ's" that "all things are ours."
Lord, help me this day to seek Thee first, and be more desirous to please Thee and have Thy will than to possess any other blessing.]
The Key
As I walked up to the Kingdom gate
I couldn't enter in,
for it was locked and very secure
and the lock was titled "sin"!
I knew the place I wanted to be
was on the other side,
but my sin was keeping from getting there
and also my foolish pride.
The Kingdom gate was too high
for me to try and climb.
It's lock was too heavy to break,
no matter how hard I tried.
Then in my heart I heard a voice
it was very personal to me.
Jesus said, "The only way is to believe,
for I Am the Living Key!"
It was then that I finally understood,
the only thing I could do,
is put my life in Jesus hands,
for only He can get me through!
E. P. Shagott
2/12/10
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
February 12
"But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew vi. 33).
[A devotional by A. B. Simpson]
[For every heart that is seeking anything from the Lord this is a good watchword. That very thing, or the desire for it, may unconsciously separate you from the Lord, or at least from the singleness of your purpose unto Him. The thing we desire may be a right thing, but we may desire it in a distrusting and selfish spirit. Let us commit it to Him, and not cease to believe for it, but let us, at the same time, keep our purpose fixed on His will and glory, and claim even His promised blessings, not for themselves or ourselves, but for Him. Then shall it be true, "Delight thyself in the Lord, and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart." All other things but Himself God will "add." But they must be ever added, never first.
Then shall we be able to believe for them without doubt, when we claim them for Him and not for ourselves. It is only when "we are Christ's" that "all things are ours."
Lord, help me this day to seek Thee first, and be more desirous to please Thee and have Thy will than to possess any other blessing.]
The Key
As I walked up to the Kingdom gate
I couldn't enter in,
for it was locked and very secure
and the lock was titled "sin"!
I knew the place I wanted to be
was on the other side,
but my sin was keeping from getting there
and also my foolish pride.
The Kingdom gate was too high
for me to try and climb.
It's lock was too heavy to break,
no matter how hard I tried.
Then in my heart I heard a voice
it was very personal to me.
Jesus said, "The only way is to believe,
for I Am the Living Key!"
It was then that I finally understood,
the only thing I could do,
is put my life in Jesus hands,
for only He can get me through!
E. P. Shagott
2/12/10
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Thursday, February 11, 2010
When it rains, it pours!
"Strengthened with all might unto all patience" (Col. i. 11).
Just a couple days ago I was presenting a God's Love program "Seeds of Love" from the "Seeds for Christ" series at Father Baker Manor. After the program was over and I was visiting with the residents I came to this younger woman, younger than me for sure, who is confined to a bed chair. Her body has given up on her. My friends as I was reading the devotional by A. B. Simpson and also the poem by Eben E. Rexford below I was pondering on the words "patience and long-suffering." This young woman and so many others of "God's Wounded", I pray they can understand their long-suffering that they are enduring on this earth. Interesting as A. B. Simpson writes about it as a earthly lesson to be learned, for it will not be in Heaven. Through this young woman's anguish she gave me a big smile that made my day.
[A devotional by A. B. Simpson]
[The apostle prays for the Colossians, that they may be "strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness." It is one thing to endure and show the strain on every muscle of your face, and seem to say with every wrinkle, "Why does not somebody sympathize with me?" It is another to endure the cross, "despising the shame" for the joy set before us.
There are some trees in the garden of the Lord which "shall not see when heat cometh"; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, nor cease from yielding fruit. Let us set our faces toward the sunrising and use the clouds that come, to make rainbows. Not much longer shall we have the glorious opportunity to rejoice in tribulation, and learn patience. In heaven we shall have nothing to teach long-suffering. If we do not learn it here, we shall be without our brightest crown forever, and wish ourselves back for a little while, in the very circumstances of which we are now trying so hard to get rid.]
*************************************************
[From a devotional by Mrs. Charles Cowman - Streams in the Desert]
[Last night I heard a robin singing in the rain,
And the raindrop's patter made a sweet refrain,
Making all the sweeter the music of the strain.
So, I thought, when trouble comes, as trouble will,
Why should I stop singing? Just beyond the hill
It may be that sunshine floods the green world still.
He who faces the trouble with a heart of cheer
Makes the burden lighter. If there falls a tear,
Sweeter is the cadence in the song we hear.
I have learned your lesson, bird with dappled wing,
Listening to your music with its lilt of spring
When the storm-cloud darkens, then's the TIME to sing.
--Eben E. Rexford]
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Just a couple days ago I was presenting a God's Love program "Seeds of Love" from the "Seeds for Christ" series at Father Baker Manor. After the program was over and I was visiting with the residents I came to this younger woman, younger than me for sure, who is confined to a bed chair. Her body has given up on her. My friends as I was reading the devotional by A. B. Simpson and also the poem by Eben E. Rexford below I was pondering on the words "patience and long-suffering." This young woman and so many others of "God's Wounded", I pray they can understand their long-suffering that they are enduring on this earth. Interesting as A. B. Simpson writes about it as a earthly lesson to be learned, for it will not be in Heaven. Through this young woman's anguish she gave me a big smile that made my day.
[A devotional by A. B. Simpson]
[The apostle prays for the Colossians, that they may be "strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness." It is one thing to endure and show the strain on every muscle of your face, and seem to say with every wrinkle, "Why does not somebody sympathize with me?" It is another to endure the cross, "despising the shame" for the joy set before us.
There are some trees in the garden of the Lord which "shall not see when heat cometh"; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, nor cease from yielding fruit. Let us set our faces toward the sunrising and use the clouds that come, to make rainbows. Not much longer shall we have the glorious opportunity to rejoice in tribulation, and learn patience. In heaven we shall have nothing to teach long-suffering. If we do not learn it here, we shall be without our brightest crown forever, and wish ourselves back for a little while, in the very circumstances of which we are now trying so hard to get rid.]
*************************************************
[From a devotional by Mrs. Charles Cowman - Streams in the Desert]
[Last night I heard a robin singing in the rain,
And the raindrop's patter made a sweet refrain,
Making all the sweeter the music of the strain.
So, I thought, when trouble comes, as trouble will,
Why should I stop singing? Just beyond the hill
It may be that sunshine floods the green world still.
He who faces the trouble with a heart of cheer
Makes the burden lighter. If there falls a tear,
Sweeter is the cadence in the song we hear.
I have learned your lesson, bird with dappled wing,
Listening to your music with its lilt of spring
When the storm-cloud darkens, then's the TIME to sing.
--Eben E. Rexford]
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Monday, February 8, 2010
Being Humble, Are You?
“In the face of unjust criticism we can become bitter or better; upset or understanding; hostile or humble; furious or forgiving”
William Arthur Ward
(American dedicated scholar, author, editor, pastor and teacher)
“The more a person analyzes his inner self, the more insignificant he seems to himself. This is the first lesson of wisdom. Let us be humble, and we will become wise. Let us know our weakness, and it will give us power.”
William Ellery Channing
(American moralist, Unitarian Clergyman and Author, 1780-1842)
“My chief concern is to try to be an humble, earnest Christian.”
Robert E. Lee
“My religion consists of a humble admiration of the illimitable superior spirit who reveals himself in the slight details we are able to perceive with our frail and feeble mind.”
Albert Einstein
(German born American Physicist who developed the special and general theories of relativity. Nobel Prize for Physics in 1921. 1879-1955)
“The real problem is not why some pious, humble, believing people suffer, but why some do not.”
C.S. Lewis
(British Scholar and Novelist. 1898-1963)
“Let us touch the dying, the poor, the lonely and the unwanted according to the graces we have received and let us not be ashamed or slow to do the humble work.”
Mother Teresa of Calcutta
(Albanian born Indian Missionary and Founder of the Order of the Missionaries of Charity. Nobel Prize for Peace in 1979. 1910-1997)
“The praise that comes from love does not make us vain, but more humble.”
James Matthew Barrie
(Scottish Dramatist and Novelist best known as the creator of Peter Pan, 1860-1937)
“To be humble to superiors is duty, to equals courtesy, to inferiors nobleness.”
Benjamin Franklin
(American Statesman, Scientist, Philosopher, Printer, Writer and Inventor. 1706-1790)
“Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.”
Norman Vincent Peale
(American Protestant Clergyman and Writer, 1898-1993)
“Jesus is the God whom we can approach without pride and before whom we can humble ourselves without despair.”
Blaise Pascal
(French Mathematician, Philosopher and Physicist, 1623-1662)
“Talent is God given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful.”
John Wooden
(American , b.1910)
“Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid, one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory.”
Douglas MacArthur
(American General who commanded the Southwest Pacific Theatre in World War II, 1880-1964)
“Religion is to do right. It is to love, it is to serve, it is to think, it is to be humble.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
(American Poet, Lecturer and Essayist, 1803-1882)
“Don't be humble. You aren't that great.”
Golda Meir
(Israeli Founder and Prime Minister. 1898-1978)
“God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble
[James 4:6]”
Being Humble
I am a humbled person,
when my eyes are on someone, but not me.
I am humbled in the presence
of someone longing to be free.
I am so very humble,
when I see the hurting and the lost.
I am also humble
in the presence of Jesus and the Cross.
See, the reason this makes me humble,
is because God opened my eyes to see.
If not for His love and grace,
there never would be a me.
It is nothing I ever did,
or could ever hope to do.
It is because He looked down from above
and said, “I love you!”
E. P. Shagott
2/8/10
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
William Arthur Ward
(American dedicated scholar, author, editor, pastor and teacher)
“The more a person analyzes his inner self, the more insignificant he seems to himself. This is the first lesson of wisdom. Let us be humble, and we will become wise. Let us know our weakness, and it will give us power.”
William Ellery Channing
(American moralist, Unitarian Clergyman and Author, 1780-1842)
“My chief concern is to try to be an humble, earnest Christian.”
Robert E. Lee
“My religion consists of a humble admiration of the illimitable superior spirit who reveals himself in the slight details we are able to perceive with our frail and feeble mind.”
Albert Einstein
(German born American Physicist who developed the special and general theories of relativity. Nobel Prize for Physics in 1921. 1879-1955)
“The real problem is not why some pious, humble, believing people suffer, but why some do not.”
C.S. Lewis
(British Scholar and Novelist. 1898-1963)
“Let us touch the dying, the poor, the lonely and the unwanted according to the graces we have received and let us not be ashamed or slow to do the humble work.”
Mother Teresa of Calcutta
(Albanian born Indian Missionary and Founder of the Order of the Missionaries of Charity. Nobel Prize for Peace in 1979. 1910-1997)
“The praise that comes from love does not make us vain, but more humble.”
James Matthew Barrie
(Scottish Dramatist and Novelist best known as the creator of Peter Pan, 1860-1937)
“To be humble to superiors is duty, to equals courtesy, to inferiors nobleness.”
Benjamin Franklin
(American Statesman, Scientist, Philosopher, Printer, Writer and Inventor. 1706-1790)
“Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.”
Norman Vincent Peale
(American Protestant Clergyman and Writer, 1898-1993)
“Jesus is the God whom we can approach without pride and before whom we can humble ourselves without despair.”
Blaise Pascal
(French Mathematician, Philosopher and Physicist, 1623-1662)
“Talent is God given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful.”
John Wooden
(American , b.1910)
“Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid, one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory.”
Douglas MacArthur
(American General who commanded the Southwest Pacific Theatre in World War II, 1880-1964)
“Religion is to do right. It is to love, it is to serve, it is to think, it is to be humble.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
(American Poet, Lecturer and Essayist, 1803-1882)
“Don't be humble. You aren't that great.”
Golda Meir
(Israeli Founder and Prime Minister. 1898-1978)
“God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble
[James 4:6]”
Being Humble
I am a humbled person,
when my eyes are on someone, but not me.
I am humbled in the presence
of someone longing to be free.
I am so very humble,
when I see the hurting and the lost.
I am also humble
in the presence of Jesus and the Cross.
See, the reason this makes me humble,
is because God opened my eyes to see.
If not for His love and grace,
there never would be a me.
It is nothing I ever did,
or could ever hope to do.
It is because He looked down from above
and said, “I love you!”
E. P. Shagott
2/8/10
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Nothing is small to God!
How often we get thinking that what we do in life has no significance. Well, to God it means everything. To us we compare ourselves to the worldly eyes. If we are not what we perceive as important daily work like, doctors, lawyers, high elected officers, actors, and a lot more, we think we are no-body's. Not to God for sure. To God all work is a Divine Calling. As you read this devotional the important link to all is that we "abide in God" for that is what it is all about. Whatever you are doing today, tomorrow and until Christ comes, and He is coming again, may it to bring honor and glory to Him!
[A devotional by F. B. Meyer]
FAITHFULNESS IN DAILY LIFE
"With goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men."-- Eph_6:7.
[THE COMMON drudgery of daily life can be a Divine Calling. We often speak of a young man as "being called to the Ministry"; but it is as fitting to speak of a carpenter being called to the bench, the blacksmith to the forge, and the shoemaker to his last. "Brethren," said the Apostle, "let every man wherein he is called, therein abide with God."
Remember that your life has been appointed by God's wise providence. God as much sent Joseph to the drudgery and discipline of the prison as to the glory and responsibility of the palace. Nothing happens to us which is not included in His plan for us; and the incidents which seem most tiresome are often contrived to give us opportunities to become nobler, stronger characters.
We are called to be faithful in performing our assigned duties. Not brilliance, not success, not notoriety which attracts the world's notice, but the regular, quiet, and careful performance of trivial and common duties; faithfulness in that which is least is as great an attainment in God's sight as in the greatest.
In every piece of honest work, however irksome, laborious, and commonplace, we are fellow-workers with God. We must help God to give men their daily bread. It is for Him to cause the growth of the corn, but man must reap and thresh, grind out the flour, make and distribute the bread. The tailor is God's fellow-workman, helping Him to clothe the bodies which He has made to need garments of various textures. The builder co-operates with God in housing His children. The merchant helps to bring the products of the East to refresh and enrich the toiling masses of the West. God uses man in a thousand ways to serve the children of men.
Take up your work, then, you who seem to be the nobodies, the drudges, the maid-of-all-work, the clerk, or shop assistant. Do it with a brave heart, looking up to Him who for many "years toiled at the carpenter's bench. Amid the many scenes and actions of life, set the Lord always before your face. Do all as in His presence, and to win His smile; and be sure to cultivate a spirit of love to God and man. Look out for opportunities of cheering your fellow-workers. Do not murmur or grumble, but let your heart rise from your toil to God your Maker, Saviour, and Friend. So the lowliest service will glisten, as grass-blades do when sun and dewdrops garnish them.
PRAYER
Be not far from me, O Lord, this day; and through all its hours may I be found doing those things which are well-pleasing in Thy sight. AMEN.]
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
[A devotional by F. B. Meyer]
FAITHFULNESS IN DAILY LIFE
"With goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men."-- Eph_6:7.
[THE COMMON drudgery of daily life can be a Divine Calling. We often speak of a young man as "being called to the Ministry"; but it is as fitting to speak of a carpenter being called to the bench, the blacksmith to the forge, and the shoemaker to his last. "Brethren," said the Apostle, "let every man wherein he is called, therein abide with God."
Remember that your life has been appointed by God's wise providence. God as much sent Joseph to the drudgery and discipline of the prison as to the glory and responsibility of the palace. Nothing happens to us which is not included in His plan for us; and the incidents which seem most tiresome are often contrived to give us opportunities to become nobler, stronger characters.
We are called to be faithful in performing our assigned duties. Not brilliance, not success, not notoriety which attracts the world's notice, but the regular, quiet, and careful performance of trivial and common duties; faithfulness in that which is least is as great an attainment in God's sight as in the greatest.
In every piece of honest work, however irksome, laborious, and commonplace, we are fellow-workers with God. We must help God to give men their daily bread. It is for Him to cause the growth of the corn, but man must reap and thresh, grind out the flour, make and distribute the bread. The tailor is God's fellow-workman, helping Him to clothe the bodies which He has made to need garments of various textures. The builder co-operates with God in housing His children. The merchant helps to bring the products of the East to refresh and enrich the toiling masses of the West. God uses man in a thousand ways to serve the children of men.
Take up your work, then, you who seem to be the nobodies, the drudges, the maid-of-all-work, the clerk, or shop assistant. Do it with a brave heart, looking up to Him who for many "years toiled at the carpenter's bench. Amid the many scenes and actions of life, set the Lord always before your face. Do all as in His presence, and to win His smile; and be sure to cultivate a spirit of love to God and man. Look out for opportunities of cheering your fellow-workers. Do not murmur or grumble, but let your heart rise from your toil to God your Maker, Saviour, and Friend. So the lowliest service will glisten, as grass-blades do when sun and dewdrops garnish them.
PRAYER
Be not far from me, O Lord, this day; and through all its hours may I be found doing those things which are well-pleasing in Thy sight. AMEN.]
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Saturday, February 6, 2010
100 and counting!
As I was thinking what to share for this 100th "Heart Print", I came to these two devotionals for today. When the Lord started me on this venture of sharing my love for Him and my thoughts I had no idea how I was going to be blessed by doing this. Not to mention the one or many that He will bless along the way through my obedience. This first devotional by A. B. Simpson speaks of "others". Get our minds off ourselves and pray, reach out to others. The awesome thing in doing this, in a sincere manner, is how your own blessings increase.
In the second devotional, by Mrs. Charles Cowman - Streams in the Desert, is about "God's wonderful grace!" In this devotional the person spoke of the loss of a child, how even this member of the clergy's trial of that loss, the Lord reached to his soul.
The poem at the end by Annie Johnson Flint is awesome. My prayer is that you can be touched as I was by these inspirational writings, truly that were touched by God!
**************************************************
"Praying always for all saints" (Eph. vi. 18).
[A devotional by A. B. Simpson]
[One good counsel will suffice just now. Stop praying so much for yourself; begin to ask unselfish things, and see if God won't give you faith. See how much easier it will be to believe for another than for your own petty self. Try the effect of praying for the world, for definite things, for difficult things, for glorious things, for things that will honor Christ and save mankind, and after you have received a few wonderful answers to prayer in this direction, see if you won't feel stronger to touch your own little burden with a Divine faith, and then go back again to the high place of unselfish prayer for others.
Have you ever learned the beautiful art of letting God take care of you, and giving all your thought and strength to pray for others and for the kingdom of God? It will relieve you of a thousand cares. It will lift you up into a noble and lofty sphere, and teach you to live and love like God. Lord save us from our selfish prayers and give us the faith that worketh by love, and the heart of Christ for a perishing world.]
*************************************************
[A devotional by Mrs. Charles Cowman - Streams in the Desert]
It Is Sufficient
"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Cor. 12:9).
[It had pleased God to remove my youngest child under circumstances of peculiar trial and pain; and as I had just laid my little one's body in the churchyard, on return home, I felt it my duty to preach to my people on the meaning of trial.
Finding that this text was in the lesson for the following Sabbath, I chose it as my Master's message to them and myself; but on trying to prepare the notes, I found that in honesty I could not say that the words were true; and therefore I knelt down and asked God to let His grace be sufficient for me. While I was thus pleading, I opened my eyes and saw a framed illuminated text, which my mother had given me only a few days before, and which I had told my servant to place upon the wall during my absence at the holiday resort where my little one was taken away from us.
I did not notice the words on returning to my house; but as I looked up and wiped my eyes, the words met my gaze, "My grace is sufficient for thee."
The "is" was picked out in bright green while the "My" and the "thee" were painted in another color.
In one moment the message came straight to my soul, as a rebuke for offering such a prayer as, "Lord, let Thy grace be sufficient for me"; for the answer was almost as an audible voice, "How dare you ask that which is?" God cannot make it any more sufficient than He has made it; get up and believe it, and you will find it true, because the Lord says it in the simplest way: "My grace is (not shall be or may be) sufficient for thee."
"My," "is," and "thee" were from that moment, I hope, indelibly fixed upon my heart; and I (thank God) have been trying to live in the reality of the message from that day forward to the present time.
The lesson that came to me, and which I seek to convey to others, is, Never turn God's facts into hopes, or prayers, but simply use them as realities, and you will find them powerful as you believe them.--Prebendary H. W. Webb Peploe
He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
To added affliction He addeth His mercies,
To multiplied trials His multiplied peace.
When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father's full giving is only begun.
His love has no limit, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth and giveth and giveth again.
--Annie Johnson Flint]
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
In the second devotional, by Mrs. Charles Cowman - Streams in the Desert, is about "God's wonderful grace!" In this devotional the person spoke of the loss of a child, how even this member of the clergy's trial of that loss, the Lord reached to his soul.
The poem at the end by Annie Johnson Flint is awesome. My prayer is that you can be touched as I was by these inspirational writings, truly that were touched by God!
**************************************************
"Praying always for all saints" (Eph. vi. 18).
[A devotional by A. B. Simpson]
[One good counsel will suffice just now. Stop praying so much for yourself; begin to ask unselfish things, and see if God won't give you faith. See how much easier it will be to believe for another than for your own petty self. Try the effect of praying for the world, for definite things, for difficult things, for glorious things, for things that will honor Christ and save mankind, and after you have received a few wonderful answers to prayer in this direction, see if you won't feel stronger to touch your own little burden with a Divine faith, and then go back again to the high place of unselfish prayer for others.
Have you ever learned the beautiful art of letting God take care of you, and giving all your thought and strength to pray for others and for the kingdom of God? It will relieve you of a thousand cares. It will lift you up into a noble and lofty sphere, and teach you to live and love like God. Lord save us from our selfish prayers and give us the faith that worketh by love, and the heart of Christ for a perishing world.]
*************************************************
[A devotional by Mrs. Charles Cowman - Streams in the Desert]
It Is Sufficient
"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Cor. 12:9).
[It had pleased God to remove my youngest child under circumstances of peculiar trial and pain; and as I had just laid my little one's body in the churchyard, on return home, I felt it my duty to preach to my people on the meaning of trial.
Finding that this text was in the lesson for the following Sabbath, I chose it as my Master's message to them and myself; but on trying to prepare the notes, I found that in honesty I could not say that the words were true; and therefore I knelt down and asked God to let His grace be sufficient for me. While I was thus pleading, I opened my eyes and saw a framed illuminated text, which my mother had given me only a few days before, and which I had told my servant to place upon the wall during my absence at the holiday resort where my little one was taken away from us.
I did not notice the words on returning to my house; but as I looked up and wiped my eyes, the words met my gaze, "My grace is sufficient for thee."
The "is" was picked out in bright green while the "My" and the "thee" were painted in another color.
In one moment the message came straight to my soul, as a rebuke for offering such a prayer as, "Lord, let Thy grace be sufficient for me"; for the answer was almost as an audible voice, "How dare you ask that which is?" God cannot make it any more sufficient than He has made it; get up and believe it, and you will find it true, because the Lord says it in the simplest way: "My grace is (not shall be or may be) sufficient for thee."
"My," "is," and "thee" were from that moment, I hope, indelibly fixed upon my heart; and I (thank God) have been trying to live in the reality of the message from that day forward to the present time.
The lesson that came to me, and which I seek to convey to others, is, Never turn God's facts into hopes, or prayers, but simply use them as realities, and you will find them powerful as you believe them.--Prebendary H. W. Webb Peploe
He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
To added affliction He addeth His mercies,
To multiplied trials His multiplied peace.
When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father's full giving is only begun.
His love has no limit, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth and giveth and giveth again.
--Annie Johnson Flint]
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Friday, February 5, 2010
Did you hear Him?
“At that time Jesus answered.”
Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank You, O Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the sophisticated and cunning, and revealed them to babes.
A good devotional about being in constant communication with God. I must admit I do have regular conversation with Him in my daily life. Of course I am praising Him always, for I now realize just how important it is to not only be asking for daily blessings but having the God of the creation interested and in love with me. Wow! How awesome is that. Do you have a conversation with God? Do you hear the whispers of His love? My friends there is nothing sweeter than that!
[An evening devotional by A. B. Simpson]
[This is a singular way in which to commence a verse-”At that time Jesus answered.” If you will look at the context you will not perceive that any person had asked him a question, or that he was in conversation with any human being. Yet it is written, “Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father.” When a man answers, he answers a person who has been speaking to him. Who, then, had spoken to Christ? his Father. Yet there is no record of it; and this should teach us that Jesus had constant fellowship with his Father, and that God spake into his heart so often, so continually, that it was not a circumstance singular enough to be recorded. It was the habit and life of Jesus to talk with God. Even as Jesus was, in this world, so are we; let us therefore learn the lesson which this simple statement concerning him teaches us. May we likewise have silent fellowship with the Father, so that often we may answer him, and though the world wotteth not to whom we speak, may we be responding to that secret voice unheard of any other ear, which our own ear, opened by the Spirit of God, recognizes with joy. God has spoken to us, let us speak to God-either to set our seal that God is true and faithful to his promise, or to confess the sin of which the Spirit of God has convinced us, or to acknowledge the mercy which God’s providence has given, or to express assent to the great truths which God the Holy Ghost has opened to our understanding. What a privilege is intimate communion with the Father of our spirits! It is a secret hidden from the world, a joy with which even the nearest friend intermeddleth not. If we would hear the whispers of God’s love, our ear must be purged and fitted to listen to his voice. This very evening may our hearts be in such a state, that when God speaks to us, we, like Jesus, may be prepared at once to answer him.]
Whispers of Love
God whispered in my ear today,
and the sweetest sound it was.
He said, “I love you child of Mine”,
as the angels sang above.
Sweet words of love, oh so true,
that just melted in my heart.
He whispered, “I am always here for you,
for you were special from the start.”
Then He whispered, “I have whatever you need,
for with my love you never will lack.
All I ever wanted My child,
is that you love Me back.”
I felt a warm feeling
as His whispers warmed my soul.
I said, “Lord, You are my life now,
because I love You so!
E. P. Shagott
2/5/10
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank You, O Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the sophisticated and cunning, and revealed them to babes.
A good devotional about being in constant communication with God. I must admit I do have regular conversation with Him in my daily life. Of course I am praising Him always, for I now realize just how important it is to not only be asking for daily blessings but having the God of the creation interested and in love with me. Wow! How awesome is that. Do you have a conversation with God? Do you hear the whispers of His love? My friends there is nothing sweeter than that!
[An evening devotional by A. B. Simpson]
[This is a singular way in which to commence a verse-”At that time Jesus answered.” If you will look at the context you will not perceive that any person had asked him a question, or that he was in conversation with any human being. Yet it is written, “Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father.” When a man answers, he answers a person who has been speaking to him. Who, then, had spoken to Christ? his Father. Yet there is no record of it; and this should teach us that Jesus had constant fellowship with his Father, and that God spake into his heart so often, so continually, that it was not a circumstance singular enough to be recorded. It was the habit and life of Jesus to talk with God. Even as Jesus was, in this world, so are we; let us therefore learn the lesson which this simple statement concerning him teaches us. May we likewise have silent fellowship with the Father, so that often we may answer him, and though the world wotteth not to whom we speak, may we be responding to that secret voice unheard of any other ear, which our own ear, opened by the Spirit of God, recognizes with joy. God has spoken to us, let us speak to God-either to set our seal that God is true and faithful to his promise, or to confess the sin of which the Spirit of God has convinced us, or to acknowledge the mercy which God’s providence has given, or to express assent to the great truths which God the Holy Ghost has opened to our understanding. What a privilege is intimate communion with the Father of our spirits! It is a secret hidden from the world, a joy with which even the nearest friend intermeddleth not. If we would hear the whispers of God’s love, our ear must be purged and fitted to listen to his voice. This very evening may our hearts be in such a state, that when God speaks to us, we, like Jesus, may be prepared at once to answer him.]
Whispers of Love
God whispered in my ear today,
and the sweetest sound it was.
He said, “I love you child of Mine”,
as the angels sang above.
Sweet words of love, oh so true,
that just melted in my heart.
He whispered, “I am always here for you,
for you were special from the start.”
Then He whispered, “I have whatever you need,
for with my love you never will lack.
All I ever wanted My child,
is that you love Me back.”
I felt a warm feeling
as His whispers warmed my soul.
I said, “Lord, You are my life now,
because I love You so!
E. P. Shagott
2/5/10
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Modern Day Disciple’s
Matthew 4:18 And walking by the Sea of Galilee, Jesus saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea. For they were fishermen.
Matthew 4:19 And He said to them, Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.
Matthew 4:20 And they immediately left their nets and followed him.
Matthew 4:21 And going on from there, he saw another two brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. And He called them;
Matthew 4:22 and they immediately left the boat and their father and followed Him.
Matthew 8:21 And another of His disciples said to him, Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father.
Matthew 8:22 But Jesus said to him, Follow Me, and let the dead bury their dead.
Matthew 8:23 And He entering into a boat, His disciples followed Him.
Matthew 8:24 And behold, a great tempest arose in the sea, so much so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep.
Matthew 8:25 And His disciples came to Him and awakened Him, saying, Lord, save us! We perish!
Matthew 8:26 And He said to them, Why are you afraid, little-faiths? Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
Matthew 8:27 But the men marveled, saying, What kind of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!
Matthew 9:9 And as Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax-office. And He said to him, Follow Me! And he arose and followed Him.
As I was reading today’s devotional by A. B. Simpson, the Lord touched my heart with this subject. As I researched the Scriptures all Jesus had to do was say, “Follow Me” and they did. What if Jesus came to you this very moment and said, “come and follow me”, would you put down your cell phone, leave your Ipod behind, all your Facebook friends, and even your beloved family, to follow Him? Could you give up your career that you have been slaving away at? If you read the Scripture, they all did.
Did all these men have great faith? It didn’t sound like it in Matthew 8:26. His disciples had Jesus in the boat with them and were afraid. My friends, Jesus is calling out to you every minute and saying, “Come and follow Me!” You have something the disciples didn’t have, “the Bible.” From Genesis’s 1:1 to Revelation 22:21, it is all there for you.
Every moment Jesus is with you and He wants you to be with Him.
"He went out, not knowing whither He went" (Heb. xi. 8).
[A devotional by A. B. Simpson]
[It is faith without sight. When we can see, it is not faith but reasoning. In crossing the Atlantic we observed this very principle of faith. We saw no path upon the sea nor sign of the shore. And yet day by day we were marking our path upon the chart as exactly as if there had followed us a great chalk line upon the sea; and when we came within twenty miles of land we knew where we were as exactly as if we had seen it all three thousand miles ahead.
How had we measured and marked our course? Day by day our captain had taken his instruments, and looking up to the sky had fixed his course by the sun. He was sailing by the heavenly, not the earthly lights. So faith looks up and sails on, by God's great Sun, not seeing one shore line or earthly lighthouse or path upon the way. Often its steps seem to lead into utter uncertainty, and even darkness and disaster. But He opens the way, and often makes such midnight hours the very gates of day. Let us go forth this day, not knowing but trusting.]
Modern Day Disciple
I am a modern day disciple,
for Jesus has chosen me.
Ever since my very first breath,
He has been waiting patiently you see.
Jesus said, “Do you really love Me?
Would you give up everything you love?
Can you leave it all behind because I asked you to?
Giving praise to the Father above!
Can you love your fellow man,
more than he does of you?
Are you willing to lose it all,
just because I asked you to?”
I said, “Lord You know my heart,
with You I long to be.
Thank You for always asking,
“modern day disciple, Come and follow Me”
E. P. Shagott
2/3/10
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Matthew 4:19 And He said to them, Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.
Matthew 4:20 And they immediately left their nets and followed him.
Matthew 4:21 And going on from there, he saw another two brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. And He called them;
Matthew 4:22 and they immediately left the boat and their father and followed Him.
Matthew 8:21 And another of His disciples said to him, Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father.
Matthew 8:22 But Jesus said to him, Follow Me, and let the dead bury their dead.
Matthew 8:23 And He entering into a boat, His disciples followed Him.
Matthew 8:24 And behold, a great tempest arose in the sea, so much so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep.
Matthew 8:25 And His disciples came to Him and awakened Him, saying, Lord, save us! We perish!
Matthew 8:26 And He said to them, Why are you afraid, little-faiths? Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
Matthew 8:27 But the men marveled, saying, What kind of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!
Matthew 9:9 And as Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax-office. And He said to him, Follow Me! And he arose and followed Him.
As I was reading today’s devotional by A. B. Simpson, the Lord touched my heart with this subject. As I researched the Scriptures all Jesus had to do was say, “Follow Me” and they did. What if Jesus came to you this very moment and said, “come and follow me”, would you put down your cell phone, leave your Ipod behind, all your Facebook friends, and even your beloved family, to follow Him? Could you give up your career that you have been slaving away at? If you read the Scripture, they all did.
Did all these men have great faith? It didn’t sound like it in Matthew 8:26. His disciples had Jesus in the boat with them and were afraid. My friends, Jesus is calling out to you every minute and saying, “Come and follow Me!” You have something the disciples didn’t have, “the Bible.” From Genesis’s 1:1 to Revelation 22:21, it is all there for you.
Every moment Jesus is with you and He wants you to be with Him.
"He went out, not knowing whither He went" (Heb. xi. 8).
[A devotional by A. B. Simpson]
[It is faith without sight. When we can see, it is not faith but reasoning. In crossing the Atlantic we observed this very principle of faith. We saw no path upon the sea nor sign of the shore. And yet day by day we were marking our path upon the chart as exactly as if there had followed us a great chalk line upon the sea; and when we came within twenty miles of land we knew where we were as exactly as if we had seen it all three thousand miles ahead.
How had we measured and marked our course? Day by day our captain had taken his instruments, and looking up to the sky had fixed his course by the sun. He was sailing by the heavenly, not the earthly lights. So faith looks up and sails on, by God's great Sun, not seeing one shore line or earthly lighthouse or path upon the way. Often its steps seem to lead into utter uncertainty, and even darkness and disaster. But He opens the way, and often makes such midnight hours the very gates of day. Let us go forth this day, not knowing but trusting.]
Modern Day Disciple
I am a modern day disciple,
for Jesus has chosen me.
Ever since my very first breath,
He has been waiting patiently you see.
Jesus said, “Do you really love Me?
Would you give up everything you love?
Can you leave it all behind because I asked you to?
Giving praise to the Father above!
Can you love your fellow man,
more than he does of you?
Are you willing to lose it all,
just because I asked you to?”
I said, “Lord You know my heart,
with You I long to be.
Thank You for always asking,
“modern day disciple, Come and follow Me”
E. P. Shagott
2/3/10
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
If we let Him!
Mrs. Charles Cowman Devotional - Streams in the Desert
Our Great Opportunities
"Hast thou seen the treasures of the hail, which I have reserved against the day of trouble?" (Job 38:22-23).
A very good devotional to start the month of February. It is really a good devotional for any day because each day has it's own trials. What I like about this devotional is they call each "difficult situation as one of God's chosen ways of proving to us His love"! I don't believe that God gives us these trials, allows them maybe, but He always will make good of a bad situation if we let Him. If we let Him!
[Our trials are great opportunities. Too often we look on them as great obstacles. It would be a haven of rest and an inspiration of unspeakable power if each of us would henceforth recognize every difficult situation as one of God's chosen ways of proving to us His love and look around for the signals of His glorious manifestations; then, indeed, would every cloud become a rainbow, and every mountain a path of ascension and a scene of transfiguration.
If we will look back upon the past, many of us will find that the very time our Heavenly Father has chosen to do the kindest things for us, and given us the richest blessings, has been the time we were strained and shut in on every side. God's jewels are often sent us in rough packages and by dark liveried servants, but within we find the very treasures of the King's palace and the Bridegroom's love. --A. B. Simpson
Trust Him in the dark, honor Him with unwavering confidence even in the midst of mysterious dispensations, and the recompense of such faith will be like the moulting of the eagle's plumes, which was said to give them a new lease of youth and strength. J. R. Macduff
"If we could see beyond today
As God can see;
If all the clouds should roll away,
The shadows flee;
O'er present griefs we would not fret.
Each sorrow we would soon forget,
For many joys are waiting yet
For you and me.
"If we could know beyond today
As God doth know,
Why dearest treasures pass away
And tears must flow;
And why the darkness leads to light,
Why dreary paths will soon grow bright;
Some day life's wrongs will be made right,
Faith tells us so.
"'If we could see, if we could know,'
We often say,
But God in love a veil doth throw
Across our way;
We cannot see what lies before,
And so we cling to Him the more,
He leads us till this life is o'er;
Trust and obey."]
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Our Great Opportunities
"Hast thou seen the treasures of the hail, which I have reserved against the day of trouble?" (Job 38:22-23).
A very good devotional to start the month of February. It is really a good devotional for any day because each day has it's own trials. What I like about this devotional is they call each "difficult situation as one of God's chosen ways of proving to us His love"! I don't believe that God gives us these trials, allows them maybe, but He always will make good of a bad situation if we let Him. If we let Him!
[Our trials are great opportunities. Too often we look on them as great obstacles. It would be a haven of rest and an inspiration of unspeakable power if each of us would henceforth recognize every difficult situation as one of God's chosen ways of proving to us His love and look around for the signals of His glorious manifestations; then, indeed, would every cloud become a rainbow, and every mountain a path of ascension and a scene of transfiguration.
If we will look back upon the past, many of us will find that the very time our Heavenly Father has chosen to do the kindest things for us, and given us the richest blessings, has been the time we were strained and shut in on every side. God's jewels are often sent us in rough packages and by dark liveried servants, but within we find the very treasures of the King's palace and the Bridegroom's love. --A. B. Simpson
Trust Him in the dark, honor Him with unwavering confidence even in the midst of mysterious dispensations, and the recompense of such faith will be like the moulting of the eagle's plumes, which was said to give them a new lease of youth and strength. J. R. Macduff
"If we could see beyond today
As God can see;
If all the clouds should roll away,
The shadows flee;
O'er present griefs we would not fret.
Each sorrow we would soon forget,
For many joys are waiting yet
For you and me.
"If we could know beyond today
As God doth know,
Why dearest treasures pass away
And tears must flow;
And why the darkness leads to light,
Why dreary paths will soon grow bright;
Some day life's wrongs will be made right,
Faith tells us so.
"'If we could see, if we could know,'
We often say,
But God in love a veil doth throw
Across our way;
We cannot see what lies before,
And so we cling to Him the more,
He leads us till this life is o'er;
Trust and obey."]
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
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