Happy Valentine's Day!

"Practice love diligently. It is one of those graces, above all, which grow by constant exercise. Strive more and more to carry it into every little detail of daily life. Watch over your own tongue and temper throughout every hour of the day,–and especially in your dealing with children and near relatives. Remember the character of the excellent woman: “She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue” (Proverbs 31:26). Remember the words of Paul: “Do everything in love” (1 Corinthians 16:14).
Love should be seen in little things as well as in great ones. Remember, not least, the words of Peter: “Love each other deeply”; not a love which just barely is a flame, but a burning, shining fire, which everyone around us can see. (1 Peter 4:8) It may cost pains and trouble to keep these things in mind. There may be little encouragement from the example of others. But persevere. Love like this brings its own reward."

~ J.C. Ryle

Grace, our only Hope

"What is your hope? This may seem strange to read at this point, but it must be said: the hope of your life isn’t all the principles, insights, and perspectives found in Scripture. No, the hope of your life can be captured in one glorious, powerful, and transforming word—grace. Without rescuing, empowering, forgiving, transforming and delivering grace, the principles of the Bible would only leave you discouraged and overwhelmed. God’s grace guarantees that you, in your struggle, will never be alone. God’s grace assures you that when you’ve blown it, there’s forgiveness to be found. Grace means that there’s strength available when you’re weak. Grace assures you that there’s wisdom for the moments when you don’t know what to do. Grace gives you hope when there seems little to be found. Grace enables you to get up and move forward when inside you want to quit or run away. Grace reminds you again and again that you’re not alone. " Paul Tripp

Every step, every plan

"In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

"Take one step at a time, every step under Divine warrant and direction. Ever plan for yourself in simple dependence on God. It is nothing less than self-idolatry to conceive that we can carry on even the ordinary matters of the day without his counsel. He loves to be consulted...Consider no circumstances too clear to need his direction. In all thy ways, small as well as great; in all thy concerns, personal or relative, temporal or eternal, let him be supreme. Who of us has not found the unspeakable 'peace' of bringing to God matters too minute or individual to be entrusted to the most confidential ear?... If in true poverty of spirit we go every morning to our Lord, as knowing not how to guide ourselves for this day; our eye constantly looking upward for direction, the light will come down. He shall direct thy paths…. Let the will be kept in a quiet, subdued, cheerful, readiness, to move, stay, retreat, turn to the right hand or to the left, at the Lord’s bidding; always remembering that is best which is least our own doing, and that a pliable spirit ever secures the needful guidance…. No step well prayed over will bring ultimate regret.” ~Charles Bridges

Is the Bible the word of God?

Is the Bible the Word of God? Then mind that you do not neglect it. Read it! Begin to read it this very day. What greater insult to God can a man be guilty of than to refuse to read the letter God sends him from heaven? Oh, be sure, if you will not read your Bible, you are in fearful danger of losing your soul!

Is the Bible the Word of God? Then be sure you always read it with deep reverence. Say to your soul, whenever you open the Bible, “O my soul, you are going to read a message from God!”

Is the Bible the Word of God? Then be sure you never read it without fervent prayer for the help and teaching of the Holy Spirit. Humble prayer will throw more light on your Bible than any commentary that ever was written. You will not understand it unless your heart is right. You will find it a sealed book without the teaching of the Holy Spirit. Its contents are often hidden from the wise and learned, and revealed to babes.

Is the Bible the Word of God? Then let us all resolve from this day forward to prize the Bible more. God has given us the Bible to be a light to guide us to everlasting life. Let us not neglect this precious gift. Let us read it diligently, and walk in its light.

~ J.C. Ryle

Do not be anxious

“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For . . . your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.”

"Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.—No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!

"I want you to be free from anxieties.—Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”—“Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”—“Have faith in God.”

Matt. 6:31, 32; Ps. 34:9, 10; Ps. 84:11, 12; 1 Cor. 7:32; Phil. 4:6; Matt. 10:29-31; Mark 4:40; Mark 11:22

When I am weak

The past couple weeks have been an up close and personal experience in fleshly weakness and God's all-sufficient strength. Samuel went through a second bypass surgery (first one in 1995) on March 28. He faced several challenging complications, but was able to come home from the hospital Tuesday evening. He has a long road of recovery ahead, but is thankful for each moment that the Lord gives him.

Today the reading from Daily Light spoke directly to our family in the last two weeks especially. What an encouragement God's word is to us everyday!

"The Lord sustains him on his sickbed; in his illness you restore him to full health.

"In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them.—“Lord, he whom you love is ill.”—“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.—I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day.—“In him we live and move and have our being.”—He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength.—“The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms.”

Ps. 41:3; Isa. 63:9; John 11:3; 2 Cor. 12:9; Phil. 4:13; 2 Cor. 4:16; Acts 17:28; Isa. 40:29-31; Deut. 33:27

God, my strength

Strengthen me according to your word!

Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope.—O Lord, I am oppressed; be my pledge of safety!

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”—“You know in your hearts and souls, all of you, that not one word has failed of all the good things that the Lord your God promised concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one of them has failed.”

“Fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”—“Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the Lord. Work, for I am with you, declares the Lord of hosts.”—“Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.”

Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

Ps. 119:28; Ps. 119:49; Isa. 38:14; Luke 21:33; Josh. 23:14; Dan. 10:19; Hag. 2:4; Zech. 4:6; Eph. 6:10