Jacobs Thoughts and Doings

That was 74 years ago today!  In my mind’s eye it is a day I shall not forget, ever.  For me it is marked with eternity!  That day a confused young man, just turned 16 years old, a High School Senior, heard the call of God to abandon all and come to Him.  I was ready!  That was about it.  I had no idea that my life was changed beyond recognition that day.  That is how I see it, from my perspective.  From God’s point of view, it was His day in my life!  In some new, holy way, I was HIS from then on!  I am still living in the glow of that reality that was in the heart of God, forever, no doubt.  That day I do believe I became his in a way that I will never forget, nor will I ever fully understand until I meet Him in glory.

I am sure there were other days in my life when I turned to God.  But this was somehow special because I do believe this was my day of decision, and God’s moment of intense inbreak into my life.  I was changed to the roots, I knew it.  God found me, and I found God!  I can hardly explain it, but it happened, not because I initiated it but because it was the amazing changing grace of God that changed something deep in me and set me on a course that I am still on this morning, here in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, age 90!  That moment when God reached out and nabbed me for himself is so indelible in my mind that it amazes me all over again.

Wish me a Happy Birthday!!  My heart gushes with praise.

Let me share this devotional with you.  This morning it spoke to me.  I, in fact felt led to write in that vein this morning.  I have no idea who the author is, maybe me?

Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Psalm 103:1 – 5

“What amazing benefits! Jesus forgives, heals, redeems, crowns us with love and compassion and satisfies us – with good things!  Jesus loves us with eternal love.  He walks with us as we walk with him.

“I am almost 90 years old!  This Psalm of David is as real and appropriate as when he wrote it many centuries ago.  And it is as true for me today as when I was 19!

“I have tasted a lot of things, none come close to these divine words of promise.  What more can I ask?  Maybe the grace to apply all his promises to my life right now!  That is a window into heaven, and a solid affirmation of Jesus in my life.  The way is open, the plan is perfect.  Soul, go in!”

At our pond peppers popped up to delight us, without our help!  Anyway, they are beautiful as you can see.  This plant is beside the sun dial.

This is Friday morning, I am feeling rather well, the day after my bone scan which went well but on the painful side!  I praise God for the people who care for physical healing.  The Ephrata Hospital must be among the best.  So caring!

Now, a week or so waiting for the rusults of yesterday’s probes, we should know more.   I am not a medical person so just rest in the knowledge that my care-takers know what they are doing!

Anna Ruth is a nurse par excellence!  She is kind, patient and loving, that is for sure.

Keep us in your prayers.  We are at rest in the Lord who has been our stay through the years.

(Ignore Sept 14 date)

My lack of input reflects where I am or where I have been in September.  It was an up and down month for me, with dear Anna Ruth here by my side, bless her.

I admit I have not tried to understand what the column of numbers mean.  In short I think my major malady is CKD stage 3 due to type 2 diabetes mellitus (CMS/HCC).   Understand that?  You are better than I am at it. In any case on Thursday October 4 I will undergo a bone scan or whatever to know what to do next.

My doctor is Giridhar Adiga of the Ephrata Cancer Center Clinic, a very bright and empathetic person.

Our family asks for your prayers as we travel this new road.

May God be praised, He is my health and all my life!  He walks with me on this new road.

In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Ephesians 4:26 – 29

I am amazed at Paul’s simplicity.  He speaks of anger that springs up.  That anger can open the door to Satan, it gives him a foothold that he will maliciously use to divide brothers and sisters.  Realizing the power of anger Paul cautioned us not to carry anger, for long.  A flare-up may occur, but we must control it, certainly not allow it to simmer for long.  He has wise advice, never go to bed angry!  Better yet, repent of angry feelings quickly so they subside and not lead you into something even more harmful.  Followers of Jesus must work, not steal from others.  We should have something in our hands to give for God and to help others.

A third bit of advice, guard your tongue as a follower of Jesus.  The tongue is good, let it be used to build up others and may it benefit those who listen.  The tongue of a believer is to bless, not to curse.

My blood figures contine to drop.  Something is going on.  I am under the care of Dr. Adiga.  I praise God for a long physically vital life and the Lord is good.  Now it seems as though I am under attack.  New challenge!  New desire for grace!  Squeeze in a prayer for me.  Thanks.

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.

Ephesians 4:25

Paul emphasizes what all of us believers already know or should know – that followers of Jesus must always speak the truth no matter what.  We are not isolated individuals and speak as such, but as members of Christ’s body, undivided.  What we speak is the united voice of believers.

Were falsehood to enter the conversation, all unity would be broken and the enemy would have a victory.  Put off falsehood, Paul advises, and speak truthfully to your neighbor.  That is a tall order, to be sure.  We come short too often, but we know we should speak the truth.

If I speak a falsehood, I not only offend another person, but I condemn myself by doing so because born again people put their lips under the control of the Holy Spirit who always presses for unity and truth.

The standard of behavior in the household of God is impossible to uphold unless the Holy Spirit has control of us, one and all.