Getting A Response

Good morning friends!

Just wondering...

When you write someone do you look forward to their response? When you leave a message do you anticipate a reply? When you post a well-thought-out entry on your blog are you encouraged by positive comments? How do you feel when there's no response?

This morning I was thinking of the letter that God wrote, using many of His servants as scribes. What about the sacred, holy, inspired, inerrant message He has preserved and graciously given to us? The eternal God has blogged His truth to light our way and guide us home.

When did we last respond with gratefulness that the Father has given us His Word? When did I last speak to Him specifically about what the Bible means to me?

We can utter the words but the best way to respond to this great gift, this priceless present, this eternal expression of His heart is to "hide it in our hearts", "to search the scriptures daily to see whether these things be so", to cherish His Word by living by its precepts.

Just a thought...

"Your decrees are my treasure; they are truly my heart's delight. I am determined to keep Your principles, even forever, to the very end." - Psalm 119:111,112 (NLT)

Be encouraged today, dear friends! His Word will guide us through the darkness to our desired haven.

Reflect His light today...right where you are!

Your Labor Is Not In Vain

This morning after enjoying a relaxing breakfast with a local pastor, we were standing outside the restaurant continuing our conversation. A lady was walking her dog and stopped to chat. She reminded me that it was my prayers over many years that had brought her husband to faith in Christ.

Ron Drummond delivered parcels to the Christian bookstore that I owned and managed for 15 years. He was not a believer at the time but I often reminded him that he was doing God's work by bringing me the books and Bibles that I sold. He was part of the network of individuals that the Lord was using to get His Word out to the people.

After years of prayer, encouragement, seed sowing and watering, Ron gave His life to the Lord and has been serving Him ever since.

What an encouragement this morning to be reminded of this by his wife Marilyn!

Dear friend, don't be disheartened by the seeming lack of visible fruit for your labors. God is working behind the scenes and you will be made aware of the abundant harvest in a future day.

Paul, writing to the church in Galatia, stated, "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9 (ESV)

So, my friend, press on! God is not unjust to forget your labor of love. (Hebrews 6:10) Just when you need it most, the Father will reveal what was done for eternity as a result of your sowing.

Keep spreading the seed!

Looking Out For Others

Good morning, friend! Pull up a chair! The coffee is brewing! Christmas music can be faintly heard in the background. It's overcast and foggy outside but "surely the presence of the Lord is in this place."

There, I've set the stage. How are you feeling today? Are you ready to reach out and encourage another struggling pilgrim?

Chuck Swindoll's thought this morning is simple yet profound:

"Thank you, Lord, that I have a few things worth giving. Even if it's a lap to be sat on...or the comfort of a warm embrace." He adds the following scripture passage, "Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others." Philippians 2:4 (NIV)

So, friend, the Lord will afford opportunities for you and me today (in the midst of our brokenness, pain and anxiety) to minister His healing touch to one of the "others" that Paul spoke of. Pray for opportunities to encourage "others" today! A pat on the back, an infectious smile, a phone call, a note in the mail. Any of these can lift a weary traveler. Be an agent of peace, reconciliation and encouragement today as you journey towards home.

Thanks for stopping by! Leave the door open as you leave! Another visitor should be here any minute now!

"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." - Ephesians 1:3 (ESV)

Thankful For What God Didn't Do

When we think of thanksgiving we naturally think of the great things which God has done and the blessings He has showered upon us.

The other day I was reminded that we should also be thankful for the things God DIDN'T do. Warren Wiersbe in his devotional book PRAYER, PRAISE & PROMISES quotes Psalm 103:10 to make his point. "He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities."

Wiersbe goes on to say, "The psalmist says that God "has not dealt with us according to our sins." On what basis does He deal with us? On the basis of the cross, the grace of God. Jesus Christ died for our sins, and God forgives them through the blood of His Son. We can come to Him and ask Him to forgive any sin. But the knowledge that God does not deal with you the way you deserve to be dealt with should not tempt you to tempt Him. Do not be fast and loose with sin. Hate sin, and rejoice today that you're walking with the Father on the basis of the cross of Jesus Christ."

Dear friends, be encouraged today that God sees us through His beloved Son. Thank Him for not dealing with us according to our sin. Grace and mercy have been extended to us from His loving hand. Rejoice in that fact today! Let's praise Him and graciously offer forgiveness to those who have wronged us.

HAVE A GOOD AND GODLY DAY!

'Til The Storm Passes By

One of my favorite Southern Gospel songs is "Til the Storm Passes By". I never tire of hearing this powerful song. I found a site with a lot of MIDI songs on it. Often these songs in MIDI format sound terrible but this one is different.

Click HERE to here a wonderful piano rendition of Mosie Lister's wonderful song!

"And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, 'Peace be still.' And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm." - Mark 4:39

In the dark of the midnight have I oft hid my face,

While the storm howls above me, and there's no hiding place.

'Mid the crash of the thunder, Precious Lord, hear my cry,

Keep me safe till the storm passes by.

Chorus:

Till the storm passes over, till the thunder sounds no more,

Till the clouds roll forever from the sky;

Hold me fast, let me stand in the hollow of Thy hand,

Keep me safe till the storm passes by.

Many times Satan whispered, "There is no need to try,

For there's no end of sorrow, there's no hope by and by"

But I know Thou art with me, and tomorrow I'll rise

Where the storms never darken the skies.

When the long night has ended and the storms come no more,

Let me stand in Thy presence on the bright peaceful shore;

In that land where the tempest, never comes, Lord, may I

Dwell with Thee when the storm passes by.

Words and music by Mosie Lister - copyright 1958

He Giveth More Grace

Note: The following account of God's provision of much-needed grace happened 8 or 9 years ago. Keith Price is now "home" in the presence of the Lord where there is "fulness of joy" and "pleasures for everymore" (Psalm 16:11).

I walked out to our mailbox, despondent, weary, broken and ready to quit! Why did "ministry" have to be so draining, so taxing, so uncertain, so hard? My spirit was wounded, my resolve depleted and the joy of serving Jesus had disolved in tears. What would the mailbox hold for me that day?

Bills, bills and more bills, collection notices, junk mail or maybe, just maybe, a generous donation or a note of encouragement? That mailbox has been the bearer of many, many blessings over the years and a few unwelcome surprises. As I opened it I recognized the beautiful penmanship of Keith Price, a mentor, wonderful friend, gentleman and faithful servant of Jesus. He enclosed the following poem by Annie Johnson Flint. Tears filled my eyes as I read this encouraging word. I'd heard and read this poem/song many times before but this day it was just for me, a divine affirmation and endorsement of God's great faithfulness. My steps quickened as I made the trip back to the house. That piece of mail from a dear friend had been a life saver!

Be encouraged today, dear friend! His grace is sufficient and in that hour when you feel you can't take another hit, another disappointment, another heartbreaking, gut-wrenching problem, He stands with arms open wide!

"Cast all your anxiety on Him...because He cares for you." - 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)

He Giveth More Grace

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
To added affliction He addeth His mercy;
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

Chorus:

His love has no limit; His grace has no measure,
His pow'r has no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

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.

Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.

- Annie Johnson Flint

"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 Corinthians 12:9

2nd Blogiversary For Pilgrim Scribblings

This weekend we are celebrating the 2nd anniversary of our 1st blog, Pilgrim Scribblings. We posted our first article on November 25th, 2004 and have added over 1,000 posts since that time.

Please visit PILGRIM SCRIBBLINGS and leave a comment this weekend. We are celebrating the faithfulness of God! What an awesome God we serve!

Let me leave you with one of my all-time favorite verses of scripture, Psalm 37:25.

"I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread."

Be encouraged this weekend, dear friends!

'Neath the Shadow of the Cross

My good friend Paul Mackay is a boarder in my mother's home, the ol' homestead where I spent my childhood.

Precious memories!

Recently Paul captured the imprint of the cross on his Bible as the bright sunshine cascaded across his bedroom...my parents' bedroom when I was growing up. He posted the photo on his blog, Still Rambling.

Oh that the cross would be at the center of all that we do. The main focus of our lives. "But God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Galatians 6:14) It was on the cross that our redemption was purchased by the blood of the Lamb. Redemption is the grand theme of the Bible from cover to cover. May we never forget the impact of the cross, the import of the cross and may we ever bear, in our lives, the imprint of the cross.

Our Dwelling Place

Our Dwelling Place is a Safe Place

Welcome to the Encouragement Headquarters, dear friends:

This morning, while searching for another scripture passage, I came across Psalm 90:1,2 which, in turn, reminded me of Psalm 91:1,2. Both Psalms begin with a declaration that those who find their dwelling place in God will be safe and find shelter and rest. Where is your dwelling place today, friend? Do you find refuge in the arms of the eternal God or do you seek satisfaction, fulfillment and peace in places that are fleeting and temporary? I'm thankful this morning that we can "pitch our tent" in the yard of our eternal Father who is "from everlasting to everlasting". No need to pull up stakes tomorrow and move on. He is our final dwelling place! The safe environs of His dwelling should be our final destination. Where are you abiding today?

"Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God." Psalm 90:1,2 (NIV)

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Psalm 91:1,2 (NIV)

Thanksgiving

Just a short note to express our prayer that our dear American friends will celebrate a wonderful thanksgiving holiday. We all have much to thank God for!

Be encouraged today, my friends! We serve a mighty God "who giveth us richly all things to enjoy." - 1 Timothy 6:17b