His Purpose

Hallelujah! hallelujah! my soul is now free!

For the precious blood of Jesus cleanseth even me.

I have been very blessed! I started this post sometime earlier this week because I was so blessed with these songs and passages in Proverbs. My previous post said that I had had a tough week, but God was still blessing me through it. These words were the perfect encouragement for me.

O sweet will of God! thou hast girded me ’round,

Like the deep, moving currents that girdle the sea;

With omnipotent love is my poor nature bound,

And this bondage to love sets me perfectly free.

Hallelujah! hallelujah! my soul is now free!

For the precious blood of Jesus cleanseth even me.

For years my soul wrestled with vague discontent

That like a sad angel o’ershadowed my way;

God’s light in my soul with the darkness was blent,

And my heart ever longed for an unclouded day.

And now I have flung myself recklessly out,

Like a chip on the stream of the Infinite Will;

I pass the rough rocks with a smile and a shout,

And I just let my God His dear purpose fulfill.

Hallelujah! hallelujah! my soul is now free!

For the precious blood of Jesus cleanseth even me.

Forever I choose the good will of my God,

Its holy, deep riches to love and to know;

The serfdom of love to so sweeten the rod,

That its touch maketh rivers of honey to flow.

Roll on, checkered seasons, bring smiles or bring tears,

My soul sweetly sails on an infinite tide;

I shall soon touch the shores of eternity’s years,

And near the white throne of my Savior abide.

Hallelujah! hallelujah! my soul is now free!

For the precious blood of Jesus cleanseth even me.

I think that song just might be my favorite. I don't know. It's hard to choose, but I do find myself singing it quite often. This next one I sing quite a bit, too.

Walking in sunlight all of my journey,

Over the mountains, through the deep vale;

Jesus has said, I’ll never forsake thee—

Promise divine that never can fail.

Heavenly sunlight! Heavenly sunlight!

Flooding my soul with glory divine;

Hallelujah! I am rejoicing,

Singing His praises, Jesus is mine!

Shadows around me, shadows above me

Never conceal my Savior and Guide;

He is the light, in Him is no darkness,

Ever I’m walking close to His side.

In the bright sunlight, ever rejoicing,

Pressing my way to mansions above;

Singing His praises, gladly I’m walking,

Walking in sunlight, sunlight of love.

Heavenly sunlight! Heavenly sunlight!

Flooding my soul with glory divine;

Hallelujah! I am rejoicing,

Singing His praises, Jesus is mine!

Lastly, these bits of wisdom from Proverbs was just what I needed for some situations in my life right now.  They are so fitting.  The first one: who doesn't want wisdom? Try being humble first.

Selections from Proverbs 11:

With the lowly is wisdom.

The integrity of the upright shall guide them.

The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way.

The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them.

In the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

A gracious woman retaineth honour.

There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth.

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

So, God has a purpose in his will for our lives even when things seem to be going wrong. Remember that which he has promised, and praise him for who he is.  Whether life is bringing you joy or sorrow, God's love can outshine that.

Blessings,

Alyssa

Thanksgiving

To be honest,

This has been a tough week.

We all pass through swollen rivers

At some time in our journey.

What do you do when you feel

The force of such a flood?

I say, praise God.

He deserves our praise

At every time,

In every situation,

And in every emotion.

So, to take my own advice,

I think I'll start praising him.

His ways are always perfect,

And I think him

And praise him

For his righteous judgments.

He leads me like a shepherd,

And I do not fear,

Because he has proved faithful,

And loving to me.

His mercy is everlasting!

He sees me in my weakness,

And loves me,

And in his strength,

I can rise above.

I praise him for his,

Abounding, unconditional love.

I feel it so strong in my heart,

And it is perfect in every situation.

He is great and mighty,

Yet, in love, he came to earth,

To live and die here,

That we might live forever

With him.

His greatness is unsearchable.

A human could not imagine

The height and the width

and the breadth thereof.

I thank him to the Bible,

His holy word,

That he gave us to

Bless

Encourage

Guide

Comfort

and

Strengthen

His little children.

I thank him for the days

Of cheer and happiness.

So many little blessings

Just because he love us.

I thank him for each day

Overshadowed with discouragement.

A time of strengthening

Just because he loves us.

I thank him

And praise him

For the life he gave me.

It is perfect.

All he does is perfect.

Bless his Holy name.

Amen.

The Prayers That He Answers

“He hears every word we say, when we pray.”

I have lots of thoughts about prayers swirling around out there and showing up here and there in my journal.  Remember my post about praying continually?  Recently, I went back through the list that I made back then and added some more prayers we are told to pray.  This list helps me many times when I don’t know how to pray or what to say.

1.       That the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified (II Th 3:1)
2.       That the Lord of the harvest will send laborers into his field (Matt 9:38)
3.       That my faith fail not (Luke 22:32)
4.       For one another (James 5:16)
5.       That we be one as God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are one (John 17:11)
6.       That I may have my joy fulfilled (John 17:13)
7.       That he keep us from evil (Matthew 6:13)
8.       That he help my unbelief (Mark 9:24)
9.       Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34)
10.   Thy will be done (Luke 11:2, Matthew 26:42)
11.   That my love abound more and more in knowledge and wisdom (Philippians 1:9)
12.   To be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding (Colossians 1:9)
13.   For them that despitefully use you (Matthew 5:44)

I am challenged to make prayer a bigger part of my life.  I have actually had this blog post sitting around for quite a while unfinished.  I'm glad now that I haven't posted it yet, because I knew so little about prayer.  I have learned a little more through experience, but mostly, I have learned how much I don't know.  In a way, however, it is simple.  I sometimes try to over-think it.  Prayer is just communion with God--a holy God who wants to hear us pray.  

Many things should cause us to lift our hearts and voice in prayer to God.  Reading God's word should inspire prayer.  A trial, a need, a desire, a care, a worry, a burden, a thanksgiving, a question--all should be taken to God in prayer.  I think He especially delights in answering our prayers when we pray for a spiritual need.  Pray for a trial to teach you something, and just see how quickly God works.  If you are in a trial, pray that he will not take you out of it until you learn what he wants to teach you.  Try it.  It is harder than it sounds.  I tried it this summer with two circumstances.  It took me a while to get to the place that I could pray that way, but as soon as God showed me what I could learn through staying in the trial, I could say from the heart, "Don't take this trial away until I have learned your way."  It was amazing how quickly the trial began to disappear after I prayed that way. I even had to pray again that he would let me stay in it a little longer because I didn't feel like I had fully learned my lesson yet.  Those are the prayers he answers.

Then there are also the little prayers.  Are you at work and things get a little stressful?  Is there someone at school who is making life hard?  Do you ever get in a bad mood at home and know you need to "snap out of it"?  Say a prayer, and don't forget to thank Him later when he calms the waves.  He cares about our day.

The scariest thing, however, is always the unknown--our future.  Have you prayed about your future?  Do you know that God has a plan?  It pleases Him when we look to Him as we make plans and dreams.  Sometimes, it is harder to see him answer these prayers, but be assured that he has heard them.  Look back on your life and see how God has guided you in the past.  It is amazing, isn't it?  He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.  He will continue to guide you.  It is you that must continue to follow.

Do you see how important prayer is and how much it should be a part of our daily life?  I will close with a quote that always challenges me (especially when talking about prayer):

"Let us remember that talking and writing about prayer is not praying. The devil does not care how much we discuss and applaud the subject, so long as we do not pray. A book on how to pray is good, but the best and only way to learn to pray is to do it." --How to Resist the Devil

Blessings,

Alyssa 

Wise Words

Wise words come from wise women.  A sister at church, whom I almost think of as a grandma since my own Nanna passed away, shared this phrase with the congregation.

(Naomi speaking to Ruth) "Sit still, my daughter."

It blessed her, but I knew it was for me, too.

Blessings,

Alyssa

Beautiful

My theme the last two years has been that everything is beautiful.  Even during difficult times or times that I did not understand, I learned to look forward to the end when God would reveal the beauty of his works.  In some circumstances, it took only moments to understand and see the beauty, but often it took weeks or months before I could see any good come out of the situation.  We can be assured, however, that everything God does is beautiful.
As to the second part of this verse, this thought of eternity has also been on my heart at least a year or more. I remember one night, while in prayer, I received such a deep impression of eternity that I realized nothing in this life really mattered much compared to eternity.  The only things in this life that has any lasting value are those things done toward eternity.  Clarke's Commentary also has a good explanation: "God has deeply rooted the idea of eternity in every human heart; and every considerate man sees, that all the operations of God refer to that endless duration. See Ecc 3:14. And it is only in eternity that man will be able to discover what God has designed by the various works he has formed."

Just keep in mind: He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

Blessings,

Alyssa

My Fault

  Like I mentioned earlier in my post about rain, I recently learned what I had done to get such terrible resolution on my blog header. Here's the story, with a little lesson attached.
  I used a combination of Illustrator and Photoshop to create my design (Illustrator to create the graphics and Photoshop to assemble everything). I kept on noticing that the graphics looked very pixelated once I put them in Ps. In the past, I had not used Ps for much more than editing photos, so I didn't really know what to do. I finally concluded that it was because I had tried to copy and paste the graphics from Ai. I almost discredited the programs and accused them of not working together as seamlessly as claimed, but I have faith in the Adobe software (Adobe is my hero) and so I accepted the blame.
  I think sometimes we are tempted the same way in our spiritual experience. It is so easy to discredit God or his salvation and sanctification when we don't have the victory we want or we don't understand life. However, faith in God says that He is not the problem, but it is self that messes things up. A little more humility--a little more submission to his will--and victory can be ours. Any time the thought comes that there must be nothing to salvation, that is an indicator that self is becoming too involved in the situation.  God's plan is perfect.  Furthermore, I had to admit that there are amazing artists out there that do great things with Adobe programs.  There are also a "great cloud of witnesses" that can tell us that they were able by the blood of Jesus.  Therefore, let us stay encouraged and never give up our faith in God.

Blessings,

Alyssa

Perfect Timing

  This seems to have been the best year of my life, and this week was the cherry on top.  God has been so good in so many little and big ways.  For example, I suddenly decided I wanted to buy a camera NOW. :)  That’s kind of out of character for me, but I'm so glad I did this time.  I had been praying about going to a meeting this summer, and it seemed like it wouldn't be working out for me to go.  Then Friday (the day I was to get my camera by FedEx) daddy woke me up saying that I had a ride to the WV meeting if I want to go.  My sister and I left 4-5 hours later, the camera still in the box.  I had worried about it all morning, and it came moments before we left.  In the meantime our ride to WV--my mom’s cousin and his wife—were waiting around at the house for their daughter-in-law to get back so she could tell them bye.  At least that was the story they told—I choose to believe that they were waiting for FedEx to arrive (though they knew nothing of me getting a camera).  Isn’t that amazing?  I feel so blessed and humbled by the goodness of God.

   Well, I came back from the meeting with a soul full of encouragement and challenge and a 4GB memory card full of memories and mountains.  I couldn’t wait to look at the pictures on my computer.  Last night, I finally got to look at them, but was given a rude reminder that my Adobe trials (what I use for editing) had run out.  I had no idea when they would be arriving in the mail—well guess what FedEx brought this morning?  Could a girl be any happier over such little blessings?

   Again, I want to thank the Lord for the gifts he seems to be showering on me.  I think he’s trying to tell me to trust his timing.  I know that no matter how long I wait for something, God really does have the perfect timing.

Blessings,

Alyssa

Grandpa's Voice

I was sitting on my bed reading my Bible, and my mind must have wandered because in my head I heard grandpa's voice again--low and a little unsteady but still loving, joyful, and gentle.  I cherish the memories of Grandpa McMillian.

This picture of grandpa's roses were on a set of  slides we recently  converted to digital.

Blessings,

Alyssa

"...Who daily loadeth us with benefits"

     There is a beautiful thing about the Christian that makes us different from the unsaved.  Every blessing we get in life, we immediately attribute to God.  God has been blessing me a lot today, and I am so overwhelmed with the love he has been showing me.

     As I go to college, I have endeavored to be as out-going as my personality allows.  Some days though, it is just not as easy to be giving all the time, and it is just refreshing and rewarding to be on the receiving end occasionally.

     This afternoon, while I was reviewing my research for my paper, a high school friend came up and joined me for write a while.  Even though I can sometimes be a loner, it was nice to have someone take the time to just be there.

     Later, while eating my lunch in the shade, a girl from  a past drawing class (an amazing artist herself) came by and started up a casual conversation.  After she left me, my spirits were lifted quite a bit, but I guess God wasn’t done blessing me.

     I went to the art department lounge to write, and a new acquaintance came by.  I have started to get to know her this semester from seeing her in the studio.   She asked if I was on FB and if I minded if she friended me.  She said that she thought I was talented and that she needed to expand her artist social circle.   It was just a small thing that said to me, “I value our acquaintance and want to stay in touch.”

     I appreciate the friendliness of my college acquaintances, but as a Christian, I give God the credit.  I believe he wanted to show me a little extra love today, and he knew exactly what I needed.  Don’t we serve a wonderful savior?
     It also gave me a new perspective for the rest of the day.  I continued being as friendly as I normally am, but it had new purpose and meaning now.  I was more aware of how it may be blessing someone else.  I also realized how important spending time is. For me, it is easier to say a few friendly words and then go on.  I don’t talk much unless I’m comfortable (or writing--or very uncomfortable, and then I blabber).  However, I think I will try to more frequently spend a little time with someone just to show them that I care.  In reflection, I suppose the events of this afternoon served two purposes: to bless me and to teach me.

Blessings,

Alyssa

Humor

I almost think that God really does have a sense of humor.  One day this week, I was thinking and worrying about some issues concerning my major (Art and Design).  There were a lot of emotions introducing themselves in my thoughts, so I turned to the only one I can go to for real answers.  I wanted a verse, but I thought--somewhat crossly--there's not going to be a verse in the Bible about art.  I stared at my Bible, wanting to open it, but not knowing where to go.  Sometimes that book seem so big.  My eyes focused on a pen mark on the edge of the pages, so--because I didn't know anywhere else to go--I followed the pen mark and opened up to the page it "pointed" to.  "I Kings"--lovely.  Just what I need.  Then I saw the caption at the top of the page: "God's promise".  His promise was this: "Concerning this house which thou art in building, if thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I perform my word with thee, which I spake unto David thy father: (1Ki 6:12)"  It was  a reminder to me of what was important.  Sometimes life can seem so important, but pleasing God should be my greatest goal.

But what made me smile?  Where's the humor that I was talking about?  Reread the first phrase of the verse.  Did you find it?  God gave me a verse with "art" in it.  It still makes me chuckle when I think about it.

Blessings,

Alyssa  

God Gave a Song

"The Unchanging Word"

When the earth shall cease to be,
And the heavens pass away,
The unchanging word of God we’ll see
Just as it is today.

On the word of God I calmly rest,
With a sweet assurance in my breast;
For I know it is His holy will,
Each promise to fulfill.

Since the morn when time began,
Hath His word ceased to prevail?
Is the God of heaven weak as man?
Or can His promise fail?

Hath a mortal yet been found
Who hath trusted Him in vain?
Search the whole broad
space of earth around,
And search it once again.

On the word of God I calmly rest,
With a sweet assurance in my breast;
For I know it is His holy will,
Each promise to fulfill.

Trusting Him I’m not afraid,
For He careth still for me;
And for me the promise
sure was made
And sealed on Calvary.

Oh, what peace and calm content!
Oh, what love and joy divine,
While I trust Thy changeless word,
are blent
Within this heart of mine.

On the word of God I calmly rest,
With a sweet assurance in my breast;
For I know it is His holy will,
Each promise to fulfill.

(C. W. Naylor)

Blessings,

Alyssa

Desiring to do Good

I often think about our duty, as Christians, to do what we can for others.   Many times, when I am looking for something “big” to do, I remember that little things (a glass of cold water) are also a blessing in this hurting world.  I read last night an article in C. E. Orr’s book Helps to Holy Living.  It opened up a little more understanding to me about how we can increase in good works and what mind we must have in doing them.

One sentence stood out to me: “Love is keen-eyed and will find many little things to do for Jesus in the busiest days of life.”  Many times, I have longed for the “keen eyes” mentioned here, and the answer is to nurture more love for Christ.  Of course, I cannot love of my own.  I can only return the love God has given me.  (However, the love he has shown me is immeasurable and abounding).  This means that, though I have nothing of myself, I can always love God more.  As I have more love for Christ, my love for others will increase, and good deeds (whether great or small) will flow from that divine love.

Another quote has stuck with me:  “Doing things for humanity’s sake is commendable, but doing them for Christ’s sake is infinitely more so.”  Our motive for doing good must all be born of our love for God.  Any other motive does not have the spiritual benefit that serving God can offer.  If I can grasp the meaning of this principle and apply it in my life, I know it will bring more happiness and contentment.

Blessings,

Alyssa

His Pleasant Plant

Isaiah 5:1 Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill: 2 And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes...5 And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down: 6 And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.7 For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant...

I read this chapter and had to think on it a while before I understood some of its practical meaning, and then I was able to receive a blessing from it.  It sounds like a passage full of depressing judgment, but if you turn it around, it is very encouraging.  First of all, if you are saved and living a new life, you are his "pleasant plant".  Now, how do these verses apply to you?  It means that all those hedges and walls, all that pruning and digging, and all those rainy, dreary days are good for you!  They are God's blessings on your life!

May I not complain when I feel like God's walls of holy standards are too high and restricting, nor when I feel like the hedges of conviction are a nuisance.  May I not grumble when the Lord digs around me and my little routine in life is upset.  May I not draw back when he desires to prune away some part of me--perhaps a habit or desire--that is taking nutrients from the good fruit he desires to see in my life.  Oh, and those rain clouds--those days that aren't so cheerful--may I rejoice in those as well and receive the refreshing rain God wants me to have.  If I can but remember that these things are for my good, I can have joy.  If I do not forget that God is only tending to his pleasant plant, then I can live with a grateful heart.  Woe unto me if I turn from him and bring forth wild grapes when he looks for good.

That all sounded good when I wrote it, but a few minutes latter I realized that I needed to apply it.  I began searching my life for anything I might be struggling against:

• standards
• convictions
• change of routine
• unhealthy habits or desires
• bad days

I thank God for his Bible and the promises, encouragement, and guidance we find in it.

Alyssa