Tysthatbind

" If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."    - 2 Chronicles 7:14 Dear Friends, Whenever I read 2 Chronicles 7:14 I am captivated by the first word in the verse, "if."  The "if" reminds me that it is up to me.  I have a choice.   It is up to me to make a decision whether or not I am going to follow through on the rest.  My people also informs me because I know that as a born again believer I am included here.  Christians, we who are called by His name, are given a promise. If we would: humble ourselves , pray, seek His face , and turn from our wicked ways he will heal the land. It is up to us.  It is up to you and me to enact the truth of this verse. Humility, realizing that there is nothing we have done that affords us this privilege of prayer, this divine access. ...

" The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."   - St. John 10:10 Dear Friends, My mother used to have a little red and white pillow hanging on the doorknob as you entered the house. It read: "Simple pleasures, abundant blessings, grateful hearts."  Abundant blessings, this is what the Lord has provided for us. One definition of abundant is marked by great plenty.  Synonyms for abundant include: plentiful, copious, ample, profuse, rich, lavish, abounding, liberal, generous, bountiful, large, huge, great! Plentiful grace due to the abundant life we have in Christ.  Ample supply to meet our daily needs.  The abundant life we have in Christ. Rich mercy that overflows daily in our lives.  This is abundant life in Christ.  Abounding hope, faith, love, joy and peace in spite of...This is the abundant life we have in Christ. We serve a Genero...

" The   Lord   is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the  Lord  for ever."  KJV Dear Friends, I had a dream last night that I talked to youngest brother and told him I was sad.  In the dream he called me and said: "I emailed you the 23 Psalms, did you get it."  During my meditation this morning I read and pondered the Word of the Lord in this beautiful and familiar Psalm. It was as if I could hear the...

" And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly:    Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?  But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me?    Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar's.    And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's.    And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace."  - Luke 20:21-26 Dear Friends, Jesus was preaching and teaching in the temple and some of those present began to question His authority.  When the Lord would not respond to their inquiry in a way that suited them, they set out to lay traps for Him.  Spies were sent to try to catch Him saying or doin...

" Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.  Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.  Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." - St. Matthew 5:8-10 Dear Friends, Whe never we watch the news via television /Internet, listen to radio news broadcast or read news reports there always seems to be some sort of  controversy.  Synonyms for controversy include: d is agreement, dispute, argument, debate or storm. Sometimes con tro ver s y seems to arise out of n o where and for no apparent reason.  There are ti mes when it is created on purpose.  Regardless of the surrounding circumstances it is a force to conten d with. Jesus was not a stranger to controversy. There was much disagreement over who He "really" was. People disputed His authority.  There were debates surrounding His teachings and storms arose.  The CONSTANT  was, how...

" For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.  For the  Lord  God is a sun and shield: the  Lord  will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.   O  Lord  of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee." - Psalms 84:10-12 Dear Friends, I remember at nine years old being baptized and becoming a member of the Junior Usher Board.  Being an usher was a serious responsibility.  The usher board was one of the strongest auxiliaries (ministries) at the church.  Ushers were trained, met together and prayed together. It was a privilege to be an usher standing on door number one, two or three to invite people into the Lord's House. There were Sundays when one might be assigned a rotation on the floor to help show members and visitors to a seat.  Ushers, ambassadors for Christ illus...

" This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.   It is of the  Lord 's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.   They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." - Lamentations 3:21-23 Dear Friends, The faithfulness of God is awesome.  Our senior choir used to sing a song: "When I look back over my life, when I think things over...I can truly say that I've been blessed. I have a testimony."  It is impossible to number, to count all of the many blessings God has bestowed.  Forgetfulness is a plight of people of all ages.  God however does not forget.  It is recalling this, considering that there has never been a moment when He has been absent from my life that gives me hope.  Knowing that even in those times when I failed to glorify Him, to honor Him and obey Him, God remained merciful.  It is because of His gracious mercy that I have not been consumed by those things that could have des...