Our pastor challenges us to read the Bible through each year, and I have just finished. After I finished I pondered just what passages I would begin studying now. I soon found myself reading Psalms 91 and 92 through many times. As I read them, I found those passages to be exactly what I needed right now.

I will soon have my sixty-eighth birthday, and I am finding that there are many things that I hope to accomplish before the Lord calls me home. I rejoiced when I read today's Scripture text.

When I was young, I was busy taking care of my six children, raising chickens, and feeding hogs. I also had some other part-time jobs as well. All of this was hard work, but it was very important work. Looking back, I know that those earlier days sped by quickly, and now my children are grown. Some of my ten grandchildren are too.

So what plans do I have? I have a large bedroom that now has my card table set up, and a new sewing machine ready to use. I recently began making note cards using old photos, colourful wallpaper, and buttons. They are turning out very well. Some I am using to write letters, and some will be given as gifts. I am also making a rag doll. She is finished, but not her clothing. Most of the clothing is cut out, and ready to be put together. With both projects out ready to work on, I am having a grand time.

Another project is speaking in churches. The Lord woke me up early one spring morning, and gave me a subject to speak on. I had already had my newest book published, but I had no way to get it out to the public, until now. So far, I have spoken in about ten churches. I am amazed and thankful for what the Lord is doing in my life. If I keep it up, I shouldn't get bored at all.

Isn't it wonderful that the Lord promises that we don't have to rot on the vine as we age? He promises us that we can keep on bearing fruit, and perhaps bear even more fruit than we did as youngsters.

Prayer: Lord, please help us to keep looking to You for guidance to do the things You planned for us to do. Thank You for the loving care and grace that You shed upon us every day. Amen.

A few days ago, I began to go through one of my older journals, and I came across this quotation from Hudson Taylor: "Move men for God through prayer alone." I then decided, as a reminder, to copy those wise words down into this year's journal too. Tonight, when I couldn't sleep, I ran across the quotation again, and began thinking about several people I have been praying for, for several years, without much result — at least I don't see any changes in their lives yet.

Last week, I read something that made me rethink how and what I was praying for these people. Most of what I asked the Lord to do was simply to save so and so, and keep them safe. What this writer seemed to be saying was that we should ask the Lord to send hard places into those people's lives — very hard, fearful trials that might cause them to cry out to Jesus for help.

I had never thought of this. But this made sense, because it was a deep sense of fear that had caused me to get busy seeking after the Lord. During that time, I thought that I would be willing to have even my right arm cut off if I could stop those terrible loud crushing thoughts about heaven and hell, about my being lost. I was terrified, and I truly wanted to be saved. When people get to that point, they will get busy seeking the Lord. During those difficult months, or, should I say, years, a few people told me that they were praying for me, and eventually the Lord saved me. Then His peace filled my heart, and in due course, I overcame those terrible fears. That place was hard to live through, but now I thank my Lord for everything I experienced. It was worth it.

So if we have loved ones and neighbours who are lost, let us begin asking the Lord to help us to know how to pray and what to pray. I'll be doing that too.

Prayer: Lord, please guide us in the matter of how we are to pray for those who are lost and don't even seem to be concerned at all about this. We truly want multitudes to come to You, before it is too late for them. Help us, please. Amen.

Last year, our church honoured our pastor, Dr. John Williamson, with a surprise luncheon, cards, and gifts. He has been the pastor of our church for 25 years, and, during these years, has given us his love, and has faithfully taught us to love and honour God's Word. Each year, he challenges us to read through the Bible. He also challenges us to pray daily. He is a good example for us to follow, because he reads through the Bible every month, and he prays for each one of us, too. I believe he also tries to live what he preaches. I appreciate this greatly, and want to follow in his footsteps.

Since I am a reader, last month I completed reading through the Bible again. Reading isn't hard for me, but prayer is, so I have been thinking quite a bit about the subject of prayer. I have had lots of prayers answered, but I realize that I need to grow greatly in this grace.

Over the past two weeks, I have been going through a few of my many prayer and writing journals that I started keeping in the 1970s. I found that several prayers that I prayed years ago had been recently answered, and I wrote "ANS" in the margin, beside those requests. While this is true, I know that I have failed greatly in praying more effectively, and I know that there are many things in my life, and in the lives of my loved ones, that need changing through the grace of God. I have also learned that the only way that these things will be changed — for me, or for any of us — is through God's power. Getting these things done will only come as we learn to pray the way God's Word teaches. May we greatly desire this change in our lives.

Prayer: Lord, please help us to become more faithful in the study of prayer, and in the performance of prayer. Keep us at it, for we need your peace which surpasses all understanding, and which will guard our hearts and minds, and so do our families and friends. Amen.

Several close friends have been hit with problems that came without any warning at all. As the difficulties grew, they became filled with fear and anxiety. I've experienced those types of problems, and possibly you have too. So what can we do when we find ourselves in situations like these?

When I consider the sweltering heat of summer, I often picture myself relaxing on a shaded riverbank, listening to the water wash over the stones.

As much as I enjoy thinking about this pleasant scene, I know there is a deeper meaning to be found in the phrase "like a tree planted by the waters". This spiritual picture has much to say to about life.

The scripture describes God's word as water. Since God knew we couldn't live and grow without clean, pure water, He filled the earth with a vast supply of it. God's word is also needed for life and growth. This water, the word of God, is the only thing by which we can grow spiritually. The water of the word is also the only thing that will cleanse us from the defilement of sin. God speaks about "cleansing [us] by the washing with water through the word" (Ephesians 5:26). The word reaches deep into the recesses of both the heart and soul. God created us with a need for both physical and spiritual water, and we will die if we do not avail ourselves of either.

When God speaks of a blessed man being like a tree planted by the waters, He is telling us that we need to keep on reading and "drinking" in His word every day. He knows that, when we fill our mind with His word, we will find that the word, like water, refreshes anything it touches. We will also find our "roots" have grown deeper and stronger. This will cause us to be able to stand when the strong, hot winds of troublesome situations blow in upon us.

In God's time, we will also bear fruit, if we obey the admonition to stay by the water. Let's become one of the blessed ones who trust in the Lord.

Prayer: Lord, please help us to grow in grace and in the knowledge of You. Thank You so much for all You have done to show us the way to walk each day. Amen.

When I heard about a mission group successfully smuggling Bibles into Russia, I wanted to help. Since I did not have any extra money to give, I prayed for ten dollars.

The next day, I went to town to purchase a couple of night-gowns and a robe. I was to check into the hospital for a test concerning my lymphoma the following morning. That afternoon, when I returned home, there was an envelope pinned to my screen door, with a ten-dollar bill and a note inside. The note said to take the money and buy a night-gown. Since I had just purchased all that was necessary for my hospital stay, I figured that the Lord sent the money for those much-needed Bibles.

Very soon after that happened, I took a small, dark-brown candy tin with a lid, and made a "Bible" bank. I asked the Lord to bless my efforts, and began to fill it with any loose change found in the washer, on the street, or anywhere lost change can be found. Over the years, quite a bit of change moved through that small beat-up can, to buy Bibles. I prayed that much fruit would be produced through those Bibles.

When we seek God's guidance through the scriptures and prayer, we will receive the assurance we need, as servants, to be faithful and to produce fruit.

Prayer: Lord, help us always to seek Your guidance early each morning. We thank You for what You have already done in our lives, and also for all the wonderful opportunities You give us to serve You. May we bear much fruit for Your glory. Amen.

Psalm 147:4-5 – He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name. Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite. (NKJV)

When I worked on the Special Education school bus, I had to be at school at 5:30 AM. One morning, as I waited in the parking lot, I noticed the Big Dipper. I enjoy seeing the Dipper, and I have often imagined it filled to the brim with water, but this time the huge dipper was upside down, empty.

I began praising the Lord, because the empty dipper reminded me of the wonderful love that had been poured out upon this sinful world when Jesus Christ paid for our sins on the cross. How much the Lord must love us to have willingly sacrificed His own life. He did this so that all who believe and trust in Him might have the gift of salvation and eternal life. What a costly gift, and what a glorious picture I saw that morning in the overturned dipper. Just as God's word says, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows his handiwork." (Psalm 19:1)

God's stars have preached to people throughout history. Next time you are outside on a clear night, stop and listen to God's "preachers". Look especially for the Big Dipper and see what position it is in, right side up, full of God's grace, or upside down, pouring out His love.

Prayer: Lord as we go about out usual daily tasks; let us look for You everywhere. Then help us begin to praise You for what we see. Let our hearts rejoice and let Your strength begin filling our being. Amen.

Psalm 16:11 – You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (NKJV)

Psalm 17:15 – As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness. (NKJV)

Just think what we have awaiting us when we see Jesus and our heavenly home for the first time. We can hardly imagine the joy that will be ours then.

I paid close attention to our pastor, Dr. John Williamson, as he began speaking about how in heaven everyone will reveal an entirely different characteristic of our Lord Jesus Christ. Since He is God, it will take all of us together to fully reveal who He is. Our individual differences will manifest a distinct part of who He is. Collectively we will be like one many-faceted, brilliant diamond, each facet revealing part of the whole as seen from a different angle. God's grace allows us the privilege of knowing Him. It will take all eternity to accomplish this.

The grace of God that is ours won't be clearly revealed in us until the Lord starts the unveiling when He gathers all His children to Himself in the eternal kingdom. We experience some of His grace now, but it's like the Bible says, "We see through a glass, darkly" (1 Corinthians 13:12 KJV). No wonder Paul said, "To be with Christ … is far better" (Philippians 1:23).

While I listened to the sermon, I remembered a poem I wrote long ago, after reading through Malachi.

Malachi 3:16-17 – Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, And the Lord listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him For those who fear the Lord And who meditate on His name. "They shall be Mine," says the Lord of hosts, "On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him." (NKJV)

The Lapidary

Apply Your light, Lord, reveal outward sin,
then search out all evil hidden deep within.
Scrub 'till it hurts right down to the shine.
Mold, cut, and polish,
by any means You design.

In Your book of remembrance
we will thus find our place
among all the others
who are saved by Your grace.

On the day we're displayed
with splendor we'll shine,
as we all hear You say,
"These Jewels, they are Mine."

Amy Woolf Garner ©1987

Prayer: Lord, fit us to reflect Your splendour. In Jesus' name. Amen.