Simeon’s Secret

Psalm 25:14

The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.

Simeon had a secret. It was something that God had revealed to him. We don’t know exactly how God told him. Maybe it was a dream. Perhaps he heard and audible voice. The Bible does not say, but the Bible does tell us what God revealed to him.

 

Luk 2:25,26

 

And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

 

 

And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

Simeon had a wonderful promise that before he died, he was going to see the Messiah. How thrilled he must have been on that day, when that which he was promised came to pass! Sometimes, oftentimes, we are called to wait on God to see our prayer requests and petitions brought to fruition. God has a time and purpose for everything, and He definitely had a time in mind when He planned to manifest Himself in the flesh.

 

Galatians 4:4

 

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

I love the lyrics to the following Christmas song. It almost sounds like it could be a prayer of Simeon put to song and then his marveling at having that prayer answered.

 

The Hand of Sweet Release

 

Come thou long expected Jesus,
Come illuminate the mysteries of life.
Come redeem us from the refuse,
Bring an end to endless suffering and strife.
Be the star that shines so brightly
That it draws our weary eyes to the sky,
to Heaven’s sky.
Dearest child of new beginnings,
Be the start of something beautiful, I cry.

 

There’s an end to all the waiting,
There’s an answer to the “who?” and “where?” and “why?” . . . tonight.
All the years anticipating,
Are surrendered to a tiny baby’s cry.
There’s a dawn to follow darkness,
There’s a face to fill the title, “Prince of Peace.”
What he promised, he delivered
I am saved by the hand of sweet release.

 

In this war I’ve been a captive,
Just a sinner seeking life and liberty.
But these hands that hold me tightly
Are the hands that set my shackled spirit free.
Blessed Jesus, meek and lowly,
You have come into my life and made it new,
Now I’m new.
Out of bondage into everlasting light,
I owe everything to you.

 

Words by Suzanne Jennings

 

Although it’s been many years since the time that God first came to earth in the form of a baby, we do have the promise that He is coming back again. 

 

Hebrews 9:28

 

 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

 

Titus 2:13

 

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

 

1Jn 3:2,3

 

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

 

 

And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

 

I believe many missed the first coming of Jesus, because, unlike Simeon, they weren’t looking for it. I’m sure many in his day studied the law and knew a lot about the Messianic prophecies, but I wonder how many were really looking for the Messiah and living their lives in a way(through prayer, devotion, dedication, obeying God’s Word)that said that they were longing and waiting for His coming?We many not know the day and the hour when Jesus is coming back, but just as He assured Simeon that He was coming the first times, so we have that confirmation through His Word that He is coming back.  May we have that spirit of Simeon where we live our lives in such a way that God knows that we are His and that we are waiting for His coming!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Drive ‘Em Out!

 

Joh 2:13-17

 

And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,

 

And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:

 

And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables;

 

 

And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.

 

 

And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.

 

This portion of Scripture seemed to leap out to me today as I was doing my Bible reading. If I could go back in time, I think it would have been something to see Jesus’ driving the money changers out of the temple. There are just some things that do not belong in the house of God, and Jesus was not the least bit afraid to say so. While Jesus is not physically present here today doing what he did in the temple on that day, I’m thankful that He does have men of God with a zeal who are not afraid to drive out bad attitudes, spirits and doctrines of devils through the preaching of the Word of God! Over the years, I feel like God has invested in me and put a lot of good things into me through the preaching of the Word of God, but I know I could not be complete with just “positive preaching”. I have had bad attitudes and wrong thinking that needed to be driven out through the preaching of the Holy Bible.  A loving, earthly parent will correct their child and administer the rod of correction when it is needed. I’m thankful that our Heavenly Father is the same way, and that if we will let Him, He’ll drive out our “stinkin’ thinkin” through an anointed man of God that delivers the Word!

 

Almond Festival 2011

Each year during the 2nd weekend of September, our city hosts an Almond Festival, which takes place on the grounds of a local elementary school. The couple that heads up our outreach department approached my husband about having a booth this year, and he was all for the idea. While we did sell bottled water, our real aim was to talk to people about the Lord, have Bible tracts available for anyone to take and offer people home Bible studies. We held a drawing on both days for a $50 gift card. Saturday’s gift card was for Black Bear Diner, and Sunday’s was for Bed, Bath and Beyond. In order for people to be eligible for the drawing, we had them fill out a brief survey and give us their name and contact information. These are the questions that were asked on the survey.

1. In your opinion, what would be one of the greatest problems in today’s society?

2. 60% of Americans today do not attend church. Why do you think most Americans do not attend church?

3. If you were looking for a church to attend, what would you look for in a church?

4. Do you have a desire to learn more about the Bible?

5. Have you ever asked yourself this question, “Why did God create us?”

6. Have you ever asked yourself, “Why did God put the tree in the garden and then say don’t eat of it?”

7. Would you be interested in a 40 minute Bible study lesson that would answer the previous 2 questions?

We had a lot of people that came by and took the survey and quite a few said yes to question #7.  I am thankful and excited for these people that are wanting Bible studies! We also had clear cellophane bags we gave out that included a great Bible study on what it means to be born again, along with some other tracts. There is so much power in the Word of God. God’s Word when applied, will change lives, so I’m thrilled that we were able to share some of the Word of God with people. This was really a great outreach opportunity, and I am thankful for all of our church folk that sacrificed both time and money to make our invovlement in the Almond Festival possible. I’m looking forward to seeing what God will do!

 

I Love This Poem!

My husband recently posted this poem on our bulletin board at church.  I am so thankful for the preachers I know who are not afraid to declare what the Word of God says!

THE PREACHER ON THE FENCE

From out of the millions on the earth
God often calls a man
To Preach the word and for the truth
To take a royal stand.

‘Tis sad to see him shun the cross,
Nor stand in its defense
Between the fields of right and wrong:
A preacher on the fence

Before him are the souls of men
Bound for Heaven or Hell;
An open Bible in his hand,
And yet he will not tell

All the truth thats written there,
it haveth an offense
The joys of heaven, the horrors of hell
A preacher on the fence

Now surely God has called the man
To battle for the right.
‘Tis his to ferret out of the wrong
and turn on us the light.

And yet he dare not tell the truth,
He fears the consequence,
The most disgusting thing on earth
A preacher on the fence.

If he should stand up for the wrong,
The right he’d not defend;
If he should stand up for the right,
the wrong he would offend.

His mouth is closed, he cannot speak
For freedom or against.
Oh Great God deliver us from
A preacher on the fence

But soon both sides will find him out
And brand him as a fraud,
A coward who dares not to please
The devil or his God.

Oh God free us from fear of man,
From cowardly preference;
cleanse out the dross and fear of loss,
and keep us off the fence.

Author unknown

 

Friday’s Featured Quote

“All human discoveries seem to be made only for the purpose of
confirming more and more strongly the truths that come from on high
and are contained in the Sacred Writings.”

Sir John Frederick Herschel on the Bible

 

Staccato #1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Staccato # 1

 

Some think it’s wise to just ride with the flow,

but compromise is not the way to go.

Take care! Take care! The path you trod

must line up with the Word of God.

Consider what voice leads you on your way.

Take care, your heart must not be lead astray.

*******************************************

Dissenters, they might say you preach too hard,

but preachers, this I pray, “Don’t drop your guard.”

Stand strong! Stand strong! The truth declare,

for men are searching everywhere.

They need illumination, God’s true light.

Stand strong, although it surely is a fight.

******************************************************

Though some would urge, “You should tear down that fence.”

Resist the surge, in spite of their offense.

Hold on! Hold on! There is a need.

To old landmarks, we must take heed.

The door will one day close for you and me.

Hold on, the prize to win – eternity!

3-24-11

 

This type of poem is called a staccato. You can learn how to write one here.

Proverbs 16:25  There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Proverbs 4:26  Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.

2Timothy 4:2-5  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

Proverbs 2:20  That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the

righteous.

Psalm 119:130  The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

Proverbs 22:28  Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.

1Corinthians 9:24-27  Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.