Weekend Words

 

From Behold the Lilies...

"And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion towards them." - Mark 6:34

Jesus was moved with compassion toward the needy around Him.  Here were more than five thousand hungry people, and He had only five loaves and two fish with which to feed them.  To the disciples it seemed hopeless to even begin feeding all these people, but Jesus used the little He had to meet all their needs.  

As we look around us, we see many people facing trials and discouragement, and those who do not know the peace which comes through faith in Jesus.  We might be unable to reach many people, but we can watch for opportunities in little things like giving a smile to those we meet, singing songs as we go about our duties, or writing a letter to a lonely or struggling person.  We will receive blessings for faithfulness in the little things the Lord prompts us to do.  God is able to bless each small deed done for Him, just as He blessed those five loaves and two fish that supplied the needs of many people.

Today, Lord, help me to sense the needs of those around me, and to do well the little you have for me to do.

From Beside the Still Waters...

Claiming God's Promises - Read 2 Peter 1:1-15

"For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen." - 2 Corinthians 1:20

In 1974 my wife and I had a dairy farm in eastern Ontario.  I was 35 years old when I was ordained as a minister.  The church had called us to move to northwestern Ontario to start a congregation in an isolated community about 1,100 miles away.  This took faith, and we laid hold on the "exceeding great and precious promises" of God.  We had a motto in our kitchen that said, "The will of God will never lead you where the grace of God cannot keep you."  That saying has been our experience.

From 1995 to 2017, we spent a few months in India almost every winter to help with church work there.  Were it not for God's promises, we couldn't have done this.  Matthew 6:33 became real to us: "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

On May 22, 2020, God called my dear wife home to glory after we were married for 58 years.  Since then I have had to rely on the promises of God in a new way.

Whatever your situation, you can personally claim the promises of God as your own.  If you are a widow or widower, live on the precious promises of the past, the prayers of the saints, the grace of God, and above all God's unfailing promises.  You will find it a blessing to reach out to others as you can.

Remember 1 Peter 5:7: "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."  Also remember that Jesus is coming soon.  If we serve him faithfully, we can claim the glorious promise that "we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is" (1 John 3:2).

Cleason Martin - Mine Centre, ON

"Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness". - 2 Peter 3:13