Jacobs Thoughts and Doings

Yesterday was a rest day.  I was a bit shaky on my feet and it seemed right to pray for our congregation – but praise the Lord here at home.  So that is what we did.  I slept some and meditated on God’s goodness.  Sorry that my needs keep Anna Ruth tethered a bit.  She is gracious beyond measure!

I was touched by the word this morning, from Daily Light.  From I Samuel 12:24 But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.  I need to embrace these words, “Fear the Lord.”  That is the bedrock of wisdom.

Then, serve Him faithfully with all your heart.

Finally, consider what great things he has done for all including me and rejoice!

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.  For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.  The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

1 John 2: 15 – 17

Today closes, in a way, my Easter thoughts.  I am left with this amazing and revealing verse, Do not love the world or anything in the world.  What does that mean for me, and you, today?  As I reflect on our morning breakfast prayers, Anna Ruth and I rejoiced in the fact that we enjoy our present life – not that it is perfect but that is enjoyable. I do not think John was thinking about what we enjoy but what really matters in life. He clarifies his thought – our love is for the Father!   That which God approves, I do also.

A basic truth, this world will pass away.  How this will happen we are not sure, but we are sure that it is futile to love this world!  Or anything in the world. 

I need to dwell on John’s plea.  Who will live forever?  Those who do the will of God.  We are encouraged to concentrate on one thing only, to do the will of God.  That is the only way to live forever!

This morning I align myself with Jesus.  He followed the Father in all ways, through suffering and joy.  Does this describe my walk with Him?  Lord, I trust in you alone!

My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish.  No one can snatch them out of My hand.

John 10:28, 29

My heart rejoices once again as I hear my Lord speak words of eternal comfort, not just because it expresses a sentiment or hope but because it is as true and eternal as God himself!

I consider it a rare, rare privilege to be with my Great Shepherd, Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord. I know his voice!  Is not that in itself a great miracle?

Health gets a bit unpredictable, etc., but the hand of Jesus is eternal.  I rest in the joy of those hands!!

Praise our Lord.  He knows us

God be praised!  This is Anna Ruth’s 92nd Birthday!!  A year and three months older than I am.  God has been so good to us as a couple that our hearts simply rejoice in his goodness.  Our pledge to God, to one another, family and friends has shaped us, that is for sure.  The rest is up to Jesus!

Time to just say, “Thank you, Jesus!!”

A bit beat up from wear and moisture here is the Daily Light that we have used for more than 66 years.  What a huge blessing it has been.  I think we have 3 or more old copies, this is my favorite – so many memories!!

When we left for Africa in 1953 we purchased our first Daily Light, in London. That was our daily devotional for many, many years.  We still have it.  It is weathered and worn but readable.  The greatest harm was done to it when we lived in the rondoval at Katoke, where it was dank and wet much of the year.  One of our family keep-sakes!

Get used to change!

I recall the days when I was pretty much in charge of myself, full of self-confidence.  I am now almost 91 years old – things are changing.  I am more and more in the hands of the medical people and even in our family I do not assert myself very much.  Others make the decisions that affect me.  In a way, I welcome that, but my entire life would like to have more control.  Wow, Don.

Get ready for some huge changes!  That is me now.  Oh, Lord, give me the grace to be simple and humble, ready to inhabit my new world in which I make few decisions.  And bless Anna Ruth, and all the others who are making many decisions for me.  I love them with all my heart.  And the Lord is my all in all.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Matthew 24:35

Jesus is sharing with his disciples, in these, his last hours before the Crucifixion. In times of great change, it seems like everything is falling apart.  I went through some weeks in the recent past months when I felt like this, former things that were always there somehow just appeared weak and useless.  It was like I was learning to walk with the Lord again!

Those were dark days but presented a new day when things of this earth do pass away.  No problem, the word of God will never pass away.  How could they if God is eternal?  His word is as eternal as He is!

I am learning to walk with my Lord in a new day.  Much of the spiritual scaffolding has dropped away, for me, I stand with Jesus, just like I am, helpless and believing.  This is reality!  Praise God.

A male cardinal cannot contain itself – clear morning song.  A newly arrived house wren provides harmony.  The chipping sparrow appears to pick around in the grass for breakfast and sing at intervals!  A crow flies overhead, and a blue jay.  And the song sparrow will not be outdone! The air is filled with such sounds this morning, a clear April morning, two days before Anna Ruth’s 92^nd Birthday.  Her song is the best!

Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.  Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.

Isaiah 12:5, 6

The Word of the Lord, even for today, April 23, when Spring is bursting forth. SING!  Sing to the Lord.  He is the Lord of all, then, now and forever.  This is the blessed song of Easter and the coming of Spring on the earth that reminds me of the faithfulness and fruitfulness of the new life God has given us through Jesus.

As I was meditating on this truth this morning, outside under the canopy of our magnificent Japanese cherry tree, I was humbled and made brave knowing the God who created all this is my God, now and forever.  When the earth passes away, He will be there!

My response this morning?  Like that of the Psalmist. Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you. 

I praise God always that I have been included in the people of Zion.  We love our Lord dearly and enjoy his embrace and eternal love.