"Take Up Thy Bed"

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

                              " . . . Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk."   Mark  2:9

     A man in great misery of soul, not knowing which way to turn, was wandering one evening along a country lane in England.  He continued walking until at length, completely exhausted, he decided to rest for a few moments beside a nearby hedge.  As he sat there, he heard two girls talking on the other side.  They were speaking to one another about a sermon which they heard in a London church.  One of them said of the pastor,  "I heard him preach just once, but it gave me a big spiritual lift.  I shall never forget one thing in particular that he said."  The other girl asked what it was that the preacher had presented which had so greatly stirred her.  The other replied that in speaking of the paralytic and his marvelous cure, as recorded in Mark 2, the minister had declared,  "The world will always say,  "You made your bed, and you must lie on it'; but One greater than the world has said,  'Take up thy bed and walk, thy sins are forgiven.'"

     The troubled and despairing man on the other side of the hedge heard these gracious words, and through it the Holy Spirit lifted the shadow from his soul.

     To every burdened one who finds forgiveness through grace, Jesus in effect says the same today:  "Take up your bed - take up your cross; and then bear your burden graciously as you walk in My strength!"

     If you are troubled today, and much encumbered with a load of care, heed Jesus' gracious command and "Take up thy bed and walk!"

"Bread For Each Day"

Thoughts On The New Year

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

                              "Remember me, O my God, for good."  Nehemiah  13:31

     Nehemiah's prayer might well be ours as we treat upon the threshold of another year.  As we pause reflectively at the close of one segment of time, and hopefully look ahead to the unfolding promise of another, it is well that our thoughts turn to Him who holds our future in His loving hands.  Trial, disappointment, yes, even death may face us in the coming months, but with His grace to keep us, and His rod and staff to comfort us, we need not fear.  As we look trustingly to Him and ask the Saviour to remember and keep us, we may be sure that all things will work together for our good  (Romans  8:28)!

                                                         Thou standest and thou asketh,
                                                             "What have the days in store?"
                                                         He answereth thee,  "Blessing!
                                                             What form that blessing taketh
                                                         Thou mayest not yet know,
                                                              But blessing upon blessing
                                                         He waiteth to bestow.


     It is comforting to know that each footfall into the new year ahead will lead us a step closer to the city of God!  Yes, shout, a trumpet voice, a cloud of glory, and we all may be gathered Home!  If the One who always remembers us should suddenly appear, will He find that we too have remembered His command - "occupy till I come"?

                    It may be the last of the years swiftly flying,
                       It may be the year when the Master will come;
                    When the land of the holy, for which we are sighing,
                       Will burst into view - the Father's glad Home!
                     It may be the last! when all mystery ending
                        In radiant light from the sunshine of God!
                    And, O, what a welcome, as we are ascending!
                       'Twill more than make up for the difficult road!
                                                                        - M. I. Reich

"Bread For Each Day"

Psalm 69:20

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

Meeting On The Stairs!

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 me, with all malice."  Ephesians 4:31

"O my dove, that are in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice . . . "     Song of Solomon  2:14

     The Song of Solomon is a love story which typifies Christ and His Church.  The "dove" in verse 14 represents the saved soul made "blameless and harmless in Him"  (Philippians  2::15).  She is in a place of safety for she is hidden in Christ the Rock, "cleft" for her at Calavry.  The "secret" of the stairs has reference to the access and fellowship she may enjoy with Him in intimate, spiritual communion.  Standing face to face with her Beloved in prayer, she may tell Him all that is in her heart, knowing that He loves to hear her voice and will surely sympathize with her need!  Yes, there is joy, blessing, and victory in the "secret place" of intercession.

     Individuals who accomplish much for the Saviour are frequently found on their knees.  John Wesley, Samuel Rutherford, Martin Luther, David Brainerd, and many others - all shining lights for God - were devout Christians who often found time to ascend the golden stairs of prayer!

     A British soldier, caught creeping stealthily back to his quarters one night from a nearby woods, was taken before his commanding officer and charged with holding communications with the enemy.  He pleaded innocent and said that he had just gone in the woods to pray.  "Have you been in the habit of spending hours in private prayer?"  the officer growled.  "Yes, sir!"  "Then get down on your knees and pray now!"  his superior roared.  "Believe me, you've never needed it so much!"  Expecting court-martial and death, the soldier knelt and poured out his soul with an eloquence and a familiarity with the Saviour that showed the power of the Holy Spirit in his life.  When he had finished, the officer said simply,  "You may go, friend, I believe your story!  If you hadn't been often at drill, you wouldn't have done so well at review!"

     Beloved do not disappoint Him who is waiting to meet you "in the secret places of the stairs."

"Bread For Each Day"

Little Acts Of Love

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


             " . . . ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another."  1 Thessalonians  4:9

     True love reveals itself not so much in a great outward show of emotion, but rather in a thousand small acts of devotion and consideration.  It is by these that we manifest our true colors and display our real attitudes.

     When I was a little boy about three and a half years of age, I knew that my father was extremely fond of black walnuts.  We did not often get them, so when I found one upon the street I was delighted!  My first thought was to have my mother crack it so that I could eat it myself, but then my great love for father took over.  I saved it until he came home that evening.  It was my custom to wait until I saw him come around the corner and then - rush to meet him.  I would throw my small arms around his one leg and thus, standing on his foot, would be swung along with his powerful stride until we got home.  All the way he would be patting my head and smiling and talking to me.  This night I presented him with the walnut and said,  "Here, Papa, I've been saving it all day - just for you!"  I thought it very strange that he did not want to crack it and eat it, and it was not until 30 years later that I found it again after he had left us for the heavenly mansions.  It was in a place by itself in his desk.  Mother told me he considered it such a deep token of my affection for him that he wanted to keep it as a memento.

     Don't delay performing even the smallest act of love today; believe me, it is sorely needed and will be much appreciated.  What is more, it will be richly rewarded by the Lord.  Do not keep the alabaster boxes of  your love and tenderness sealed up until your friends and loved ones are dead.  Fill their lives with sweetness now.  By the power of the Holy Spirit, let us exchange our self-centered attitudes for heartfelt words and deeds which will manifest that we love our family and friends "with a pure heart fervently"!  (1 Peter  1:22).

"Bread For Each Day"

Kept For Safe Keeping

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

                                   "Who are kept by the power of God."  1 Peter 1:5

     A dying saint many years ago said during his last day on earth,  "I am just like a package which has been all prepared for shipment to its destination.  I am all packed, tied securely, labeled, postage paid, and standing on the platform, waiting for the express to come by and take me to my destination in Glory."  All this is contained in the words,  " . . . kept by the power of God . . . to be revealed in the last time."  It suggests our security in Christ.

     1.  The believer is all wrapped up in the beautiful wrappings of Christ  (2 Corinthians  5:21).
     2.  He is tied with cords of divine love  (Hosea  11:4).
     3.  He is plainly labeled with the seal of the Spirit,  "and the Lord knoweth them that are his"  (2 Timothy 2:19).
     4.  The postage is all paid by the precious blood of the Son of God, bought with a price  (1 Corinthians  6:20).
     5.  He is resting on the platform of God's wonderful grace  (Ephesians  2:8).
     6.  He is waiting for the express of His glorious coming  (Philippians  3:20, 21).
     7.  He is guarded all the way by angels of God  (Luke  16:22).
     8.  He is guaranteed a safe arrival  (John  10:28), registered (2 Timothy 2:19), special delivery  (Psalm  91:11 ,12), and insured  (Ephesians  4:30).

     "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is"  (1 John  3:2).

     Rejoice, O Christian!

Psalm 31

Come, sit, and 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


1.  In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.
2.  Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defense (fortress)to save me.
3.  For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.
4.  Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.
5.  Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.
6.  I have hated them that regard lying vanities (vain idols): but I trust in the Lord.
7.  I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities;
8.  And hast not shut (given me over) me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room (wide place).
9.  Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, you, my soul and my belly.
10.  For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed (waste away).
11.  I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me outside fled from me.
12.  I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.
13.  For I have heard the slander of many; fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.
14.  But I trusted in thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my God.
15.  My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.
16.  Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies' sake.
17.  Let me not be ashamed, O Lord; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.
18.  Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.
19.  Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee, which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!
20.  Thou shalt hide them in the secret of my presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.
21.  Blessed be the Lord: for he hath shewed me his marvelous kindness in a strong city.
22.  For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.
23.  O love the Lord, all ye his saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.
24.  Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.