Dear Children and Grandchildren,

I have enjoyed the Word of God more than I ever have since I am no longer preaching 3 or 4 times a week and am not pressed for time. Some times I find things I'd like to share with all of you, or some of you individually. With your mother's encouragement I'd like to start a "Bible Blog" and share some of my thoughts with you. Last night I told Joanna that I opened a can of "Pork and Beans" for supper, (your mother is in Arizona helping Becky while Adam recuperates from a serious operation) but I found no pork so I renamed it "Beans and Beans". With a hearty laugh she wondered if I had "looked under every bean?' I trust what I send you will have some "pork" but if you find it to be only "beans" just push the delete button.

Ps.119:168 "I have kept Thy precepts and Thy testimonies: for all my ways are before Thee," As you were growing up one of the things I was careful to emphasize in our daily devotions was that the time would come when you would no longer be under the eye of Mom and Dad but you would never be out of sight of God's eye. What an encouragement we find here to keep God's Word. "all my ways are before Thee,"

"Experience makes many a paradox plain, and this is one. Before God we may be clear of open fault and yet at the same time mourn over a thousand heart-wanderings which need his restoring hand."--C.H. Spurgeon

"I may hide Thee from my eye, but not myself from Thine eye."--Wm. Gurnall

Friday, May 8, 2009

Diamonds in heaven!



Dear Children,

We have children who are in dire need at this time. When I pray for them I include children of pastors and friends of mine who have special needs. I have prayed for some of these for so long that sometimes I wonder if the Lord hears my prayers? This devotional was a blessed encouragement to me to keep crying out to the One who puts all my “tears in His bottle” implying, as here stated, “that they are caught as they flow.” I trust it will be an encouragement to you also.
The diamonds of heaven!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"Behold--he prays!" Acts 9:11
Prayers are instantly noticed in heaven. The moment Saul began to pray--the Lord heard him. Here is comfort for the distressed, but praying soul. Oftentimes a poor broken-hearted one bends his knee--but can only utter his wailing in the language of sighs and tears. Yet that groan has made all the harps of heaven thrill with music; that tear has been caught by God and treasured in the lachrymatory of heaven. "You put all my tears into Your bottle," implies that they are caught--as they flow!

The suppliant, who can only groan out his words, will be well understood by the Most High God. He may only look up with misty eye; but prayer is the falling of a tear! Tears are the diamonds of heaven! Sighs are a part of the music of Jehovah's court, and are numbered with the most sublime strains which reach the majesty on high!

Do not think that your prayer, however weak or trembling--will be unregarded. Our God not only hears prayer--but also loves to hear it. "He does not forget the cry of the humble." True, He does not regard proud looks and lofty words. He has no concern for the pomp and pageantry of kings. He does not listen not to the swell of martial music. He has no regard the triumph and pride of man. But wherever there is . . .
 a heart full with godly sorrow,
 or a lip quivering with agony,
 or a deep groan, 
 or a penitential sigh
--the heart of Jehovah is open! He marks that prayer down in the registry of His memory! He puts our prayers, like rose leaves--between the pages of His book of remembrance; and when the volume is opened at last, there shall be a precious fragrance springing up therefrom!

“I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers” Philemon 4

Love, Dad

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