In times like these you need a Savior
In times like these you need an anchor;
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
Chorus:
This Rock is Jesus, Yes, He's the One;
This Rock is Jesus, the only One!
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
In times like these you need the Bible,
In times like these O be not idle;
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
Chorus:
This Rock is Jesus, Yes, He's the One;
This Rock is Jesus, the only One!
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
In times like these I have a Savior,
In times like these I have an anchor;
I'm very sure, I'm very sure
My anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
Chorus:
This Rock is Jesus, Yes, He's the One;
This Rock is Jesus, the only One!
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
By Ruth Caye Jones
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Monday, March 3, 2008
A Word of Encouragement
So, my life has been full of stormy seas. In my childhood, the choppy waters were caused by the adults in my life. I did not have anything to do with the craziness, except that I lived through it. In my early adult life, I lived in a choppy sea of my own making. I was convinced I could live life my way. Some of those waves nearly took me down. But in my mid-30's I gave my life completely over to the Lord, and since then things have calmed significantly. Now I live in a world of choppy seas once again not caused by me. Someone else's waves are crashing over my life.
This past week, I've been through the storm. I've been in the darkness that comes when the clouds block out the sun. I see nothing but stormy weather ahead. What does this mean for a Christian? How do we survive without folding up into a ball and never facing the world again? It is for moments like this that I have stored away God's Word and great hymns of faith. Did I know that singing out of the red hymnal every Sunday as a child would rescue me as an adult? NO! Did I know that all the scripture I memorized for 14 years of school would be my life vest in a time of stormy life? No.
I'd like to write the words to one hymn that has sustained me this week.
The Solid Rock - Edward Mote
My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus' blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand. When darkness seems to hide His face, I rest on His unchanging grace. In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil. His oath, His covenant, His blood support me in the whelming flood. When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my Hope my Stay. When He shall come with trumpet sound, oh may I then in Him be found. Dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne.
I find myself singing this at the most unusual times, and it brings me comfort. I also hold on to passages of scripture that declare..."I will never leave you, nor forsake you so that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." Heb. 13:5-6
Or, because this has to do with an unsaved family member, II Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."
For myself in this time of great trial I remember Ps. 34 esp 15, 17, 18 "The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth and delivereth them out of all their trouble. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." Ps.16:5 "The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot."
Does all of this mean I have not felt suffering? No, I'm not saying that. Last week I was literally heartbroken. I came to tears often, could not reach out to anyone really, except the Lord. I cancelled my commitments for the week, and spent time crying out to God. And He met me there. The storm is still brewing, but God is my hope. I cannot control the storm. I cannot figure out what kind of damage I will sustain because of the storm. I cannot see how this storm will affect the rest of my family. But I know Someone bigger than ANY storm. I know that my eternal Hope and Salvation will not be affected by this storm. I have been given some perspective. It allows me to get past the hurt and pain and allow God to minister to my life -hope. God also gave me some time with friends on Sunday where I was able to laugh, and actually talk to someone who's been through the same storm. It was nice to talk to someone who came out the other side.
If you are facing storms of your own, I encourage you to grip the solid Rock of Jesus.
This past week, I've been through the storm. I've been in the darkness that comes when the clouds block out the sun. I see nothing but stormy weather ahead. What does this mean for a Christian? How do we survive without folding up into a ball and never facing the world again? It is for moments like this that I have stored away God's Word and great hymns of faith. Did I know that singing out of the red hymnal every Sunday as a child would rescue me as an adult? NO! Did I know that all the scripture I memorized for 14 years of school would be my life vest in a time of stormy life? No.
I'd like to write the words to one hymn that has sustained me this week.
The Solid Rock - Edward Mote
My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus' blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand. When darkness seems to hide His face, I rest on His unchanging grace. In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil. His oath, His covenant, His blood support me in the whelming flood. When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my Hope my Stay. When He shall come with trumpet sound, oh may I then in Him be found. Dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne.
I find myself singing this at the most unusual times, and it brings me comfort. I also hold on to passages of scripture that declare..."I will never leave you, nor forsake you so that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." Heb. 13:5-6
Or, because this has to do with an unsaved family member, II Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."
For myself in this time of great trial I remember Ps. 34 esp 15, 17, 18 "The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth and delivereth them out of all their trouble. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." Ps.16:5 "The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot."
Does all of this mean I have not felt suffering? No, I'm not saying that. Last week I was literally heartbroken. I came to tears often, could not reach out to anyone really, except the Lord. I cancelled my commitments for the week, and spent time crying out to God. And He met me there. The storm is still brewing, but God is my hope. I cannot control the storm. I cannot figure out what kind of damage I will sustain because of the storm. I cannot see how this storm will affect the rest of my family. But I know Someone bigger than ANY storm. I know that my eternal Hope and Salvation will not be affected by this storm. I have been given some perspective. It allows me to get past the hurt and pain and allow God to minister to my life -hope. God also gave me some time with friends on Sunday where I was able to laugh, and actually talk to someone who's been through the same storm. It was nice to talk to someone who came out the other side.
If you are facing storms of your own, I encourage you to grip the solid Rock of Jesus.
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