A MOTHER’S PRAYER

A MOTHER’S PRAYER

A child, a gift from God above,

A child, to care for and to love,

Her days on earth have just begun,

Like morning dew and rising sun.

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Oh Lord, I give this child to Thee,

Her steps and life to oversee,

To guide and watch, and to her show,

The many blessings You bestow.

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Grant her Your wisdom from above,

Show her Your mercy and great love,

But most of all I ask of Thee,

Show her the Cross of Calvary.

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Open her heart while she’s still small,

To hear the beckon of Your call,

And when her earthly race is run,

To hear You say, “My child, well done”.

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The Bible tells us of two births,

One from above, one of this earth,

When all her days on earth are told,

I pray Your face she will behold.

Cathy White 2012 ©

John 3:6-7  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

SING I MUST

Psalm 98:4 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.

Gill:

Make a loud noise, rejoice, and sing praise; exalt and extend the voice to the highest pitch, in the most musical and melodious strains; this heap of words is used to express the intenseness of mind, vehemency of affection, and strength of spirit and exceeding greatness of joy, with which the Lord should be praised for his great and marvellous works.

Pulpit:

God is to be praised heartily – with a loud and ringing voice. The body is to unite with the soul in giving him thanks, and to perform its part vigorously and with zeal … Make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise;

Spurgeon:

“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth.” Every tongue must applaud, and that with the vigour which joy of heart alone can arouse to action. As men shout when they welcome a king, so must we. Loud hosannas, full of happiness, must be lifted up.

If ever men shout for joy it should be when the Lord comes among them in the proclamation of his gospel reign.

John Wesley said to his people, “Sing lustily, and with a good courage.

Beware of singing as if you were half dead or half asleep; but lift up your voice with strength. Be no more afraid of your voice now, nor more ashamed of its being heard, than when you sung the songs of Satan.”

“Make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise;” or “Burst forth, and sing, and play.” Let every form of exultation be used, every kind of music pressed into the service till the accumulated praise causes the skies to echo the joyful tumult.

There is no fear of our being too hearty in magnifying the God of our salvation, only we must take care that the song comes from the heart, otherwise the music is nothing but a noise in his ears, whether it be caused by human throats, or organ pipes, or far-resounding trumpets.

Loud let our hearts ring out the honours of our conquering Saviour; with all our might let us extol the Lord who has vanquished all our enemies, and led our captivity captive. He will do this best who is most in love with Jesus: – 

“I’ve found the pearl of greatest price,

My heart doth sing for joy;

And sing I must, a Christ I have,

Oh, what a Christ have!”

A Poem – Our personal experience regarding THE SWORD

THE SWORD

Parents, brethren, child, in the flesh,

Same family we do share,

God’s Word, His Sword, came to our clan,

Dividing wheat and tare.

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The nearest, dearest, ones we love,

Now keep quite far away,

But pray we will, and not give up,

They’ll join with us one day.

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The sword is real, though not of steel,

It separates in two,

Those who believe, and those who don’t,

It’s left for us to choose.

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Do we love them, oh yes we do,

But Christ we love much more,

If we turn back, once truth be known,

He’ll one day shut the door.

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It was foretold, in days of old,

This way that it would be,

For those of us, who love the Lord,

Who choose to follow thee.

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It’s plain that if we silent kept,

And never did we speak,

So many lost relationships,

Would still be ours to keep.

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We preach of sin, and saving grace,

Repent, believe, we say,

These words are what upsets them most,

They tell us, go away!

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My hands are clean, I’ve done my job,

Misunderstood I’ve been,

My great concern, without the Lord,

They will die in their sin!

Cathy White 2007 ©

Matthew 10:34-39 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

A SWORD

Topic of “the sword” came up again today!

From today’s “Morning and Evening”.

Spurgeon:

Matthew 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

The Christian will be sure to make enemies. It will be one of his objects to make none; but if to do the right, and to believe the true, should cause him to lose every earthly friend—he will count it but a small loss, since his great Friend in heaven will be yet more friendly, and reveal Himself to him more graciously than ever. O you who have taken up His cross—do you know what your Master said? “I have come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother; and a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.”

Christ is the great Peacemaker; but before peace, He brings war. Where the light comes, the darkness must retire. Where truth is, the lie must flee; or, if it abides, there must be a stern conflict, for the truth cannot and will not lower its standard, and the lie must be trodden under foot. If you follow Christ, you shall have all the dogs of the world yelping at your heels! If you would live so as to stand the test of the last tribunal, depend upon it—the world will not speak well of you! He who has the friendship of the world—is an enemy to God! But if you are true and faithful to the Most High God—men will resent your unflinching fidelity, since it is a testimony against their iniquities.

Fearless of all consequences, you must do the right. You will need the courage of a lion to unhesitatingly pursue a course which shall turn your best friend into your fiercest foe! But for the love of Jesus—you must thus be courageous. For the truth’s sake to hazard reputation and affection, is such a deed that to do it constantly you will need a degree of moral courage which only the Spirit of God can work in you. Do not turn your back like a coward but play the man. Follow right manfully in your Master’s steps, for He has traversed this rough way before you. Better a brief warfare and eternal rest; than false peace and everlasting torment!

http://www.youdevotion.com/morneven/december/28

Jesus brings Division not Peace On Earth

Edifying post by Helen at Grain of Wheat.

Grain of Wheat

Are you aware that Jesus Christ said the following statements?

“Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth?  I tell you, not at all, but rather division.”

 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.”

“I came to send fireon the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!”

One thing is clear, Jesus never sought to be popular or to be “politically correct!” He never merely said what people wanted to hear.  He always spoke only the truth from His heavenly Father.

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