Forget Not All His Benefits

Come, sit and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord: "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31


                  "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits."  Psalm  103:2

     Praise and thanksgiving should not be confined to a formal celebration on one day of the year alone (good as that in itself may be); it should characterize our continuing attitude of heart throughout the entire year.  If our deepest joy is found in knowing God Himself and in gratefully blessing Him from the depths of our heart for what He means to us, then it will not be difficult to also remember His individual "benefits" to us. To have God as our Father, Jesus Christ as our Savior, and the Holy Spirit as our Comforter and Guide, is to experience a fellowship and to enjoy a satisfaction that the broken cisterns of this world can never begin to provide.  To have this true gladness in the heart is to know the greatest blessing of all.  If this is your happy portion, you, with the psalmist, will put the emphasis in the proper place today by first blessing God for Himself, and then praising Him for all His benefits toward you.

     Ira D. Sankey used to tell this beautiful story of a little girl who went sightseeing with her father to the top of Mount Washington. Standing in the rarefied air and bright sunshine, with the clear blue sky above them, they saw to their surprise that dark heavy clouds were gathering below.  As they looked down, the lightning began to flash and with a roll of thunder a storm broke majestically over the valley below.  The father, a very prosaic, unimaginative man, said apologetically,  "Well, Lucy, with the clouds all around, there is nothing much to see, is there?"  Unlike her parent, the child, who was deeply spiritual, was enthralled by the beauty and majesty of the scene.  Grasping his hand she said,  "Oh, daddy, I think it is wonderful.  I see the doxology!  Everything seems to be saying,  "Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!'"

     Those who have been enlightened by grace see God's goodness and love both in storm and in sunshine and reverently echo the words,  "Bless the Lord, O my soul"!

"Bread For Each Day"

LET THANKFULNESS RULE...

Come and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

LET THANKFULNESS RULE in your heart.  As you thank Me for blessings in your life, a marvelous thing happens.  It is as if scales fall off your eyes, enabling you to see more and more of My glorious riches. With your eyes thus opened, you can help yourself to whatever you need from My treasure house.  Each time you receive one of My golden gifts, let your thankfulness sing out praises to my Name.  "Hallelujahs" are the language of heaven, and they can become the language of your heart.

A life of praise and thankfulness becomes a life filled with miracles.  Instead of trying to be in control, you focus on Me and what I am doing.  This is the power of praise:  centering your entire being in Me.  This is how I created you to live, for I made you in My own image.  Enjoy abundant life by overflowing with praise and thankfulness.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence"

The First Sin

Come....sit and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31


         "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall."   Proverbs 16:18

     So you don't drink, steal, curse, or commit adultery, gamble, smoke, or lie!  Well, that is wonderful; but after all, isn't that what is to be expected of any decent person?  The fact you don't indulge in these things is no more than your duty.  Whenever I hear someone boast of his morality, I know that he is guilty of one sin he has overlooked - pride.  Pride is as great a sin as these others, in fact is at the very root of all of them.  I was surprised to find that pride is more frequently mentioned and condemned in the Word of God than adultery.  The words "pride,"  "proud,"  "proudly"  occur 106 times in the Bible, while the words "adultery,"  "adulterous,"  "adulterer,"  "adulteress"  occur only seventy times.

     The word "pride" in the original is a combination of two words,  huper, and phaino.  Huper means "above,"  and phaino means "to shine."  Pride then is the desire of a person to "shine above" his fellow men.  It is self-exaltation, in direct disregard of God's World. (See Romans 12:3).

     Pride was the first sin of the universe.  It was the sin which caused satan to fall from his high position  (read the Scriptures at the beginning of this article), and this sin satan instilled in the heart of Eve by the words,  "Ye shall be as gods"  (Genesis 3:5).  Pride is deification of self.  It always wants to be in the limelight, wants to attract attention, a conceit of one's superiority. But the Bible says:  "For if a man think himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself"  (Galatians  6:3).

     So you don't drink, steal, curse, or commit adultery, gamble, smoke, or lie!  Aren't you proud of being such a fine fellow, so much better than others about you?  Don't strut, brother, for it is only God's grace in which you can glory.  Oh, God, forgive us for the subtle, fleshly sin of pride.  Amen.

"Bread For Each Day"

THIS IS THE DAY....

Come....sit and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice."   Ephesians  4:31


THIS IS THE DAY THAT I HAVE MADE!  As you rejoice in this day of life, it will yield up to you precious gifts and beneficial training.  Walk with me along the high road of thanksgiving, and you will find all the delights I have made ready for you.

To protect your thankfulness, you must remember that you reside in a fallen world, where blessings and sorrows intermingle freely.  A constant focus on adversity defeats many Christians.  They walk through a day that is brimming with beauty and brightness, seeing only the grayness of their thoughts.  Neglecting the practice of giving thanks has darkened their minds.  How precious are My children who remember to thank Me at all times.  They can walk through the darkest days with Joy in their hearts because they know that the Light of My Presence is still shining on them.  Rejoice in this day that I have made, for I am your steadfast Companion.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence"

Jesus And Heaven

Sit and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

                                                                   Jesus  And  Heaven

                                   "....but we know that....we shall see him...  1 John  3:2

     Death ushers the believer instantly into the visible presence of the Savior, for to be absent from the body is to be at Home with the Lord.  Yet many dread that momentous step from earth to heaven because so little of what will exactly transpire is related to us.  God cannot express in human language the preciousness of our passing from earth to Heaven.  We do believe that Jesus indicates in the true story in Luke 15  that the blessed angels will guide us safely to our destination (see verse 22), and that He Himself, will walk with us through the "Valley of the Shadow"  (Psalm  23:4); but beyond that, little more has been revealed.

     A Christian who was very ill once said to his physician,  "Doctor, I am afraid to die.  What happens to a Christian in that mystic hour of death?"  Very quietly the doctor said,  "I do not believe anyone really knows exactly!"  As he walked across the sickroom to the door, he wished desperately that he could say something more comforting.  Suddenly, as he stood holding the doorknob, there came the sound of scratching and whining from the other side.  As the doctor opened the door, his faithful dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness.  Turning to the patient the physician said,  "Did you notice that dog of mine?  He had never been in this room before.  He did not know what was inside.  He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door was opened he sprang in without fear.  As Christians we know little of what is on the other side of death except that it will be glory and blessing, but we do know one thing - that our Master and Savoir is there, and that is enough!  When the door opens I shall pass through with no fear but with gladness, for I know I shall see His face."  Yes, to be with Christ is "far better" - it can be nothing but glory!

"Bread For Each Day"

Thankfulness...

Sit and enjoy a cup of tea of coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31


THANKFULNESS takes the sting out of adversity.  That is why I have instructed you to give thanks for everything.  There is an element of mystery in this transaction:  You give Me thanks (regardless of your feelings), and I give you Joy (regardless of your circumstances).  This is a spiritual act of obedience - at times, blind obedience.  To people who don't know Me intimately, it can seem irrational and even impossible to thank Me for heartrending hardships.  Nonetheless, those who obey Me in this way are invariably blessed, even though difficulties may remain.

Thankfulness opens your heart to My Presence and your mind to My thoughts.  You may still be in the same place, with the same set of circumstances, but it is as if a light has been switched on, enabling you to see from My perspective.  It is this Light of my Presence that removes the sting from adversity.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence"

Sometime We'll Understand

Sometime  We'll  Understand

                         "...What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter."  John  13:7

     With their limited spiritual horizons the disciples did not always understand what Jesus said and did.  Like the blind man of Bethsaida, their prophetic insight was as distorted as one who sees, "men as trees walking."  Later, at Pentecost, they were to receive a second touch of blessing which would illumine their minds to the meaning of many things.  Therefore in John  13:7 Jesus tells them not to become confused or bewildered by the perplexing events that were to transpire.  They were to proceed by faith, resting on the precious promise that "hereafter" they would comprehend His wise purposes.  So, today, Christ's acts of love to us are often misunderstood.  Yet His apparent "dark dealings" with us will certainly be explained in Heaven, for God knows what He is about.

     The late Dr. H. A. Ironside often told the story of a noted painter who had been commissioned to prepare a great, artistic mural. The artist erected a scaffold and proceeded to put the background of the picture on the wall.  A friend, coming to the studio, stood quietly at the rear of the room, for he saw the artist was preoccupied in slapping on the dark gray and the deep blue tones. Wishing to view his background preparation from a better perspective, the artist descended the ladder and moved toward the door with his eye still on the mural.  He was so intent that he backed right into his friend without even seeing him.  Enthusiastically he exclaimed,  "This is going to be the masterpiece of my life!  What do you think of it?  Isn't it grand?"  His friend replied,  "All that I see is a great, dull daub of paint."  Then said the artist,  "Oh, I forgot.  When you look at the mural you see only what is there; but when I look at it, I see what is going to be there - and that makes a lot of difference!"

     How wise the Christian who can smile through his tears - confident that he will joyously view the perfect design of his trials in God's tomorrow!

AS YOU SIT QUIETLY IN MY PRESENCE...

Sit and Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31


AS YOU SIT QUIETLY IN MY PRESENCE, let Me fill your heart and mind with thankfulness.  This is the most direct way to achieve a thankful stance.  If your mind needs a focal point, gaze at My Love poured out for you on the cross.  Remember that nothing in heaven or on earth can separate you from that Love. This remembrance builds a foundation of gratitude in you, a foundation that circumstances cannot shake.

As you go through this day, look for tiny treasures strategically placed along the way.  I lovingly go before you and plant little pleasures to brighten your day.  Look carefully for them, and pluck them one by one. When you reach the end of the day, you will have gathered a lovely bouquet.  Offer it up to Me with a grateful heart.  Receive My Peace as you lie down to sleep, with thankful thoughts playing a lullaby in your mind.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence"

God's Gracious Invitation

Sit and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31



                                                God's  Gracious  Invitation

                            "Come; for all things are now ready."   Luke  14;17

     The Bible is a book of invitations; in it the word "come" is used over thirty-five hundred times!  One such passage is found in Luke 14 where Jesus tells of a great feast prepared by a generous host.  It was free, and more than ample to feed the many who had been invited.  The excuses that were made for not partaking were poor and insufficient.  Especially is this true when one understands the oriental customs of that day.  In the East, when a man planned to have a banquet, he first sent out invitations and when everyone had agreed to come, he prepared the feast accordingly.  Then at the proper hour he would send forth a servant to say,  "All things are now ready; come to the supper!"  To refuse to attend at the last moment, therefore, was a real insult to the host, and worthy of the highest condemnation.  Jesus was pointing out that Israel was guilty of this terrible sin.

     There was once a man who was under deep conviction but who could not grasp the truth that the Gospel invitation was meant for him.  His employer, an earnest Christian man, wrote him a note asking him to come to his office.  He obeyed the summons but was met with the question,  "Do you wish to see me, James?"  The man held up the note saying,  "But sir, you sent for me!"  "Oh," said the other,  "you believed that I wanted to see you just because I told you to come?"  "Yes!"  "You thought I expected you to accept my invitation promptly?"  "Certainly, sir,"  answered the man.  "Well,"  said the Christian,  "God has bidden you to come and He too means for you to do it at once!  Why then do you hesitate?"  The man's lips quivered and the tears ran down his cheeks. He said brokenly,  "Am I just to believe God's Word in the same way that I believed your note?"  "Just in the same way,"  replied the employer.  "For 'if you receive the witness of me, the witness of God is greater.'"

     Today the Gospel feast is still spread, and the gracious invitation is directed to you - "Come; for all things are now ready."

"Bread For Each Day"

Stick Out Your Tongue

Sit and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31


                                      Stick  Our  Your  Tongue

           "...thy speech bewrayeth (betrayeth) thee."   Matthew  26:73

   It makes little difference how dumb you are, if you only keep your mouth shut, no one will find it out.  Nothing reveals the character of a man like his tongue.  The tongue reveals what is going on inside.  One of the first things your doctor says when you go to him, is, "Let me see your tongue."  It is often possible to make a diagnosis just on the condition of the tongue.  A clean tongue means a good digestion and health.  A coated tongue indicates some disturbance of health.  Different diseases can be detected by the peculiar condition of the tongue.  Measles, scarlet fever, diabetes, and many infections are characterized by changes in the tongue.  A fuzzy coated tongue, a bright red inflamed tongue, a dry tongue, a cracked tongue, or a spotted tongue - these will often reveal some particular disease.  Yes, the doctor can learn a great deal just by looking at your tongue.

     This is even more true as a test of spiritual health.  Let me see your tongue, for "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh"  (Matthew  12:34).  Peter in the judgment hall made the mistake of opening his mouth.  He talked too much, and some of the folks recognized his dialect and said,  "Thou also art one of them for thy speech be bewrayeth thee."  This is true in at least four ways of our speech.

     1.  It tells the country from which we came.

     2.  It reveals education and refinement, or the lack of it.

     3.  It betrays our chief interest in life.  We talk about the things we love the most.

     4.  Our speech also reveals to which country we are going, for travelers to Glory will speak "the language of Heaven," while                 travelers to Hell will speak  "the language of the pit."

     A filthy tongue reveals a filthy heart.  "If a man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able to bridle the whole body"  (James  3:2).  Let me see your tongue!

From the book,  "Bread For Each Day"

Leave Outcomes Up To Me

Sit and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31



LEAVE OUTCOMES UP TO ME. Follow Me wherever I lead, without worrying about how it will all turn out. Think of your life as an adventure, with Me as your Guide and Companion. Live in the now, concentrating on staying in step with Me. When our path leads to a cliff, be willing to climb it with My help. When we come to a resting place, take time to be refreshed in My Presence. Enjoy the rhythm of life lived close to Me.
You already know the ultimate destination of your journey your entrance into heaven. So keep your focus on the path just before you, leaving outcomes up to Me.
"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence"

Rest in My Peace

Sit and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the the comfort of the Lord:    "Let all bitterness and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice."   Ephesians  4:31

COME TO ME, and rest in My Peace.  My Face is shining upon you, in rays of Peace transcending understanding.  Instead of trying to figure things out yourself, you can relax in the Presence of the One who knows everything.  As you lean on Me in trusting dependence, you feel peaceful and complete.  This is how I designed you to live:  in close communion with Me.

When you are around other people, you tend to cater to their expectations - real or imagined.  You feel enslaved to pleasing them, and your awareness of My Presence grows dim.  Your efforts to win their approval eventually exhaust you.  You offer these people dry crumbs rather than the living water of My Spirit flowing through you.  This is not My way for you!  Stay in touch with Me, even during your busiest moments.  Let My Spirit give you words of grace as you live in the Light of My Peace.

From the book, "Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence"

The god of this World vs The God of the Universe

Sit and enjoy a cup of tea (or coffee) in the comfort of the Lord...   "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice."   Ephesians  4:31


The god of this world vs the God of the Universe

As Christians, we are called to follow one, Jesus Christ and God, not men.  It always amazes me that Christians can become so involved in the affairs of this world, such as politics, that they align their Christian belief’s with a political persuasion.

But who amongst men are good?  For God says all men are filthy:

“God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.  Every one of them is gone back (turned aside):  they are altogether become filthy (corrupt); there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” — Psalm 53:2-3

It is well that most politicians are lawyers, as Jesus himself spoke of the lawyers of his day:

“And He said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers!  for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourself touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.  Woe unto you!  for ye build the sepulchers of the prophets, and your fathers killed them…Woe unto you, lawyers!  for ye have taken away the keys of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered” – Luke 11:46-47, 52

Since the Republican’s revolution of 2014 (not my term), we should very soon see the following (I could say the same of Democrats, as I despise both parties):

1.  Obama is impeached for the war crimes he committed in Afghanistan, Syria, Libya, and Iraq.
2. Hillary Clinton will be investigated for her role in the Benghazi affair.
3. Obama Care will be repealed in full.
4. The NSA director, DHS director, IRS director, Attorney General, and CIA Director will all be made accountable for the various serious abuses of our “liberties” and others abroad.
5. Abortion will be brought up immediately for repeal

But, of course, none of this will occur.  As a Christian, item #5 is the defining moment in whether one party or another is worth your consideration.   But what about the argument that if you cannot support one or the other (i.e., Republicans or Democrats), then you have forfeited your duty as a citizen?

I would respond this way – If your “duty as a citizen” involves compromising any one of your core Christian beliefs, then you will have to disengage yourself from that process.  If you do not look seriously at what the party of choice really stands for, and how it aligns with your belief as a Christian, then you are OF the world, not just in it.

Here is what King David thought about the political advisors around him in his day, who he considered much worse than the pagan enemies of Israel:

“The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart:  his words were softer than oil, yet they were (as) drawn swords…but thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction:  Bloody (bloodthirsty) and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.” – Psalm 55:21, 23

Does that sound familiar?  Do both political parties of today resemble that statement?  BOTH parties are war-mongerers, BOTH parties are blood-thirsty, and BOTH are faithful to their own god of this world:

Why do you think that the President always addresses people from the White House behind a podium with the Presidential Seal of the United States? (it is directly based on this seal, and has the same representation on the opposite side as below)  The side facing the audience shows the public view:

But did you know there is another representation on the inside of the Seal, facing the President?  It is the “Esoteric” or “Hidden” symbol, and what the seal really stands for:

The blazon (design) of the President Seal is essentially the same as the obverse of the Great Seal of the United States as defined in 1782, – Wikipedia article “Seal of the President of the United States”

You can see this “hidden” side of the seal at the article on the Great Seal of the United States HERE.  It is also an official document of the United States, and you can read about it HERE in my other blog.

The “All-seeing Eye” floating on an uncapped pyramid represents Satan, who is the god of this world, in control of all kingdoms of the Earth (temporarily), as Satan himself told Jesus when he tried to tempt him:

“And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.  And the devil said unto him, All this power (authority) will I give thee, and the glory of them:  for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.  If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine” – Luke 4:5-7

That pyramid represents the structure of this world, from the post-flood era of Nimrod, whereby only a select few at the top of the pyramid know what is really going on, and succeeding lower levels are “compartmentalized” so that they only know enough to do their jobs (i.e., useful idiots).  Guess who is on the bottom?  Why yes, you and I.

And of course, the pyramid is uncapped because “they” (the hidden rulers who have bowed to Satan) are awaiting the day when their Anti-Christ can take it’s place at the top of this structure.

Finally, the pyramid is uncapped because it is believed there used to be human sacrifices performed there, for the “god” of this world.

Now remember, the side facing us (the useful idiots), is the “outward” or fake appearance of authority.  But the side facing the President (Esoteric, or hidden), which he is truly speaking to, is Satan’s hierarchy of government.  It is this that the President must address, not the “useful idiots”, and this symbol whom the President truly serves.

As Christians, we are commanded by Jesus to “Watch”, “Be Ready” and to not sleep.  If you are more concerned with which bad choice of representation is currently in or out of power instead of seeing through the veil and understanding whats really going on, how will you understand if and when the Anti-Christ makes his return?  (I’ll give you a hint, it has to do with the Holy Spirit)…so please, don’t be taken in by those whose words are “…smoother than butter…”, but to the One who is the Foundation of the Word…

Who do you think made the first civilization and the first citizens after the flood?

My Small Potatoes

Sit and enjoy a cup of tea (or coffee) in the comfort of the Lord...   "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice."   Ephesians  4:31

                                       My  Small  Potatoes
   "....reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin".....  Romans  6:11
  ".... Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone...."                                                                                             John  12:24

     I've just come into the house after digging a mess of potatoes in my garden.  I dug up something besides potatoes - I dug up a sermon as well!  The first hill of potatoes was a pleasant surprise for there were seven, beautiful, large potatoes, representing a real increase.  With enthusiasm I plunged the fork under the next plant and - what a disappointment, for all I found was three little scrawny ones as big (pardon me - as small) as marbles.  I soon saw the reason.  From some cause or another the original seed potatoes had failed to die.  There it was almost the way it had been planted four months before.  It didn't die and there was no fruit.  There can be no life without death - no fruit without sacrifice.

     Yes, I dug up a sermon in the potato patch.  In fact there were at least three sermons, one for each small potato. First, it speaks of the Lord Jesus who said,  "Except a corn of wheat die....it abideth alone."  Jesus was the grain of wheat which died, only to be resurrected in a host of believers as His fruit.

     There is a lesson for the sinner too.  Until the sinner dies to his own works and to his own efforts, merit, and righteousness, he cannot know life and be saved.  And finally, what a lesson for believers.  We too have been "planted in the likeness of His death"  (Romans  6:5).  This establishes our position and salvation.  But to become fruitful we must die to self.  We must put to death the works of the flesh (the flesh of our old nature), and if we "through the Spirit do mortify (put to death) the deeds of the body we shall live"  (Romans  8:13).

     Have a good crop of potatoes!

From the book, "Bread For Each Day"

Support

Sit down and enjoy a cup of tea (or coffee) and drink in the comfort of the Lord.....   "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice."   Ephesians  4:31

                                                   Support

                 ".....the Lord upholdeth the righteous."  Psalm  37:7

     We are told by botanists that certain plants which are too weak to support themselves by their own stocks must twine about other plants or objects to grow properly.  Sometimes the stems of such climbers attach themselves by spiral turns to their hosts; sometimes they cling to sturdy objects by putting out special twining tendrils.  Those who have watched such growing plants intently tell us that their tips move slowly in circles, successively turning to all points of the compass.  The bean is such a plant. Its twining motion is said to greatly accelerate as the plant grows older.  The tendrils at first may complete only one turn a day, but later they make as many as eight spirals in a twenty-four hour period.

     The naturalist, Balm, who made a special study of climbing plants, recognized twenty-five different families of them in which the twining is done with a waving motion toward the left, and ten others in which the climbing is done toward the right.  But all of them, to thrive, must climb!  Those which have no support and trail on the ground are usually stunted, unlovely, and fruitless.

     Nature, as well as Scripture, has its lessons.  The climbing plant is an illustration of the human life.  Every heart searches instinctively for its divine support.  Those who do not find such a stay are stunted, spiritually useless, and bring "no fruit to perfection."

     Has your life been entwined with that of the Savior?  Are you leaning on Him for eternal support?  Can you say with the psalmist,  "My soul followeth hard after thee:  Thy right hand upholdeth me?"  Are you climbing Heavenward?  If you are, then it is your duty to help some other struggling brother along the way, and thus in turn  "support the weak"  (1 Thessalonians  5:14).

From the book,  "Bread For Each Day"

Bible Verses to Remember

Psalm 139:

O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.Thou knowest my down sitting and mine uprising, though understandest my thought afar off.  Thou comprehendeth my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.  For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.  Thou hast enclosed me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.  Whither can I go from thy spirit?  or whither can I flee from thy presence?  If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.  If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;  Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.  If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.  Yea, the darkness hideth not from from thee; but the night shineth as the day; the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.  For thou hast formed my inward parts, thou hast weaved me in my mother's womb.  I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.  My bones were not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and skilfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.  Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unformed, and in thy book all my members were written,the days fashioned before me, when as yet there was none of them.  How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God!  how great is the sum of them!  If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake I am still with thee.  Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God; depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.  For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.  Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee?  and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?  I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.  Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:  And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Ephesians  6:10-17:

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace:  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.