Oh "Stone of Israel", Chief Cornerstone...

Here is a prayer the children and I came across tonight, Timothy enjoyed it so much he read it out a second time, even through he struggled over some of the words... from a book called the Wonderful Names of Our wonderful God, by IL Horton and Charles Hurbust, p 6 Based on gen 49:24 God the Stone of Israel.

Oh "Stone of Israel", Chief Cornerstone, rejected by the Builders, Stone of Stumbling, Rock of Offence, Foundation Stone, on which alone we build aught that shall stand, make me polished, living stone; built in with other stones; perchance a pillar to go out no more, but always a part of Your temple, for Your own indwelling. Thrice holy Lord, self offered for my peace; through death that I may live, through fire that I may become indestructible; consumed that I might live, consumed that I may feed on You in holiest communion - enlighten me today untill I perceive Your peace that passes uderstanding. Amen

Run to your Father's arms by James Smith, from Grace Gems.

Run to your Father's arms and nestle in His bosom!

(James Smith, "Comfort for Christians!")

"Be still--and know that I am God!" Psalm 46:10

This is God's message to His people, even during the most terrible convulsions of nature, the most cruel wars, and the most painful trials! The Lord reigns and works, even in the most dreadful circumstances.

The Lord is constantly doing His will, and accomplishing His purposes--and He never forgets His promises.

Be childlike. Run to your Father's arms and nestle in His bosom! Realize safety in your Father's love and power. He will tenderly . . .
  hold you in the hollow of His hand,
  hide you under His wings, and
  carry you in His bosom as the shepherd does the lamb.

"Be still," for though painful at present--your trial will soon be over. Know that God is supreme and works all things after the counsel of His own will. Know that God never loses sight of you, or forgets your frame and your weakness. Exercise patience, relieve your burdened heart by prayer--and wait in full expectation of a blessing.

As the darkest cloud, often bears the most fruitful shower--so the darkest circumstances, often usher in the choicest mercies. Only . . .
  yield yourself to God,
  keep close to the loving heart of God,
  and submit to the will of God.
Then you will be able to . . .
  carry any cross,
  bear any trial, or
  endure any affliction!

Be silent, be calm, be still--the Lord rules as King forever!

Do not complain--for it will displease the Lord.
Do not murmur--for it will grieve Him.
Do not fear--for it will dishonor Him.

Instead, be still--for your safety is provided for.
Be still--for your needs shall be supplied.
Be still--for all things shall work together for your good.
Be still--for God bids you, and all will end well.

Take me into Your nearness, dear Lord, and help me to be still. Calm my foolish fears and my fearful imaginations. In all of life, help me, O Lord, to be still.

   ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

Feeling Old? The best way to grow old! (from Grace Gems)

An emblem of the aged believer

(William Schenck, "Nearing Home; Comforts and Counsels for the Aged" 1868)

"The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green!" Psalm 92:12-14

The palm tree, to which God's people are compared in this Psalm, is remarkable for its lengthened and increasing fruitfulness. The best dates are said to be gathered when it has reached a hundred years of age. How beautiful an emblem of the aged believer, growing in grace and maturing in holiness to the close of his earthly existence! Each day, each year, added to his life--adds to the loveliness and perfection of his Christian virtues. His character has a mellowness and sweetness, which it lacked in earlier seasons.

He is ripening for Heaven! In knowledge, in wisdom, in love, in humility, in gentleness, in patience, in peace, in usefulness, in happiness--he is steadily and constantly advancing. He is filled with the Spirit, and therefore brings forth the fruits of the Spirit.

Is this portraiture of an aged Christian yours, reader? Alas, it does not belong to all who profess and call themselves by the Savior's name.

What is your idol?

Samuel Rutherford: 

O wretched idol myself! When shall I see thee wholly decourted, and Christ wholly put in thy room? O, if Christ, Christ, had a full place and room of myself, that all my aims, purposes, thoughts, and desires, would coast and land upon Christ, and not upon myself! And yet, how beit we cannot attain to this denial of me and mine that we can say I am not of myself, myself is not myself,  my own is no longer mine own; yet our aiming at this in all we do shall be accepted; for alas, I think I shall die but minting and aiming to be a Christian.