Break Thou the Bread of Life

 

“Beyond the sacred page I see Thee, Lord.”

God’s Word is where we go to find Him. It’s where we grow in our walk with Him. It’s where we study His Word, and learn through all of our life, the very being of God.

But as you grow, you will see beyond His sacred Word. R. G Huff says it well in his book “Hymn Lines”:

“Somewhere along my spiritual journey I realized that God spoke to me beyond the sacred pages … that I could find Him very much alive in nature … that I could see Him in the lives of people around me and hear Him in their words of encouragement and teaching. As long as what those people were doing and saying was in keeping with the teachings of that little zippered black book, I could be enriched and edified by human interaction . . . The communicating faithful led me to think outside the book … beyond the sacred page. They widened my horizons and helped me turn some important corners in my pilgrimage of faith . . . It’s the everyday genuine follower of Jesus whose life and comments continue to shape my walk.”

This is why it is so important to have faithful, committed friends. It is why it is so important to be a part of a fellowship of believers. It is why surrounding yourself with like-minded Christians can make such a difference in your spiritual walk.

Nothing will ever replace our need to read and study God’s Word. Yet, remember, God is everywhere, and those you spend time with or learn from can have a great impact upon your life as you live for Christ.

Beyond the sacred page you can see the Lord!

 By His Grace . . . 

O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing

“Jesus, the name that calms my fears, That bids my sorrows cease;

‘Tis music in the sinner’s ears; ‘Tis life and health and peace.”

The name of Jesus. How can you explain to someone what that one name can do in your life.

Bill and Glorida Gaither tried to explain the name Jesus in their song: “There’s Just Something About that Name.” The first verse goes like this:

“Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, There's just something about that name. Master, Savior, Jesus, Like the fragrance after the rain; Jesus, oh Jesus, Jesus, Let all heaven and earth proclaim; Kings and kingdoms will all pass away, But there's something about that name.”

The rest of the song tells many ways the name of Jesus can make a difference. It is a powerful example of all that Jesus can do.

You’ve felt it before. In whatever is going on in your life, just whispering His Name instantly brings calm upon your soul and mind. It truly is a miracle.

StepswithGod.com tells us what we should know about Jesus’ name: “His name gives us our identity . . . Jesus’ name is above every other name . . . Only through His name can you get anything from God; Everything Jesus is and carries is in His name . . . His name is at work 24/7 . . . The enemy knows and understands the power of names, most especially the name Jesus . . . The name of Jesus is a strong refuge . . . His name commands instant delivery . . . The power in the name of Jesus is invoked through faith . . . You are qualified to use His name only if you are born again.”

Biblestudytools.com: “Church, it’s time we celebrate the name of Jesus! Praise His name, talk to others about the name, learn to use His name with authority and power. It’s part of our inheritance as saints of almighty God!”

Never forget the power behind the name of Jesus. Whisper it. Shout it. Write it. Share it.

“Jesus Jesus, Jesus, there’s just something about that name.”

By His Grace . . . 

My Faith Looks Up to Thee

“May Thy rich grace impart strength to my fainting heart,

my zeal inspire; as Thou hast died for me,

O may my love to Thee pure, warm, and changeless be, a living fire.”

How enthusiastic is your faith? This hymn lines says: “my zeal inspire.” Take a moment and consider this. Do you want a faith that is “on fire” for God? That can’t be snuffed out? That has so much enthusiasm for living for Christ that it cannot be contained?

What does zeal mean? Zeal is defined as fervor or tireless devotion for a person, cause, or ideal, characterized by enthusiastic diligence and ardor. It reflects great energy or enthusiasm connected with something one feels strong about, often manifesting as eager desire or endeavor in pursuit of a goal. 

If you have a deep-settled confidence in God, you have the confidence to handle anything in your life. Because God is in you, with you and never fails.

What can you do to inflame or excite zeal within? To have strong, intensified emotions and certainty in your God?

Listening to music and faith-filled lyrics are excellent ways to inspire zeal within. Music has the ability to bring out the deepest emotions inside you and stir your spirit as if on fire. Being around Christian friends can inspire you to be zealous for God. Studying God’s Word with other people can stir your spirit. Helping others and supplying a need can enrich your soul and fill you with zeal because you serve for Christ.

Don’t stop until you are so alive with Christ that your entire being shouts out your deep and steady life with God.

 By His Grace . . . 

There is Sunshine in My Soul

 

“There is music in my soul today, A carol to my King;

And Jesus, listening, can hear The songs I cannot sing.”

Have you ever wished you had a lovely voice and could sing loud and joyful? I know I have. I used to be able to sing.

In my middle 30s I had a muscle spasm in my throat one evening that lasted two hours. It was during a time when I was practicing with the choir at church for the Christmas Cantata.

I was only a choir singer. Couldn’t sing solos or duets. Just a normal voice that could sing with a group of people. And I loved singing!

When I awoke the morning after the muscle spasm and put the cassette in the car radio to practice as I drove to work, I couldn’t sing. I had no voice. I sat in the congregation that Christmas as the choir sang the cantata.

I went to a throat specialist and was told my throat and vocal chords looked normal. But I couldn’t sing. And I haven’t been able to sing ever since.

Now, I silently sing the songs I love and the hymns I rejoice in. I’ve found I can still praise God in silence, just not out loud. I know Jesus hears me sing even though no one else can.

Do you not sing because your singing voice isn’t perfect or acceptable to you? Don’t stop singing for God. He hears your every word and welcomes the praise and worship from the quiet of your heart.

Yes, “And Jesus, listening can hear the words I cannot sing.” Sing out, dear friend. It will make your heart glad and your faith stronger. Let the words fill you with His presence so you are swaying to the melody of His love. Sing out this first verse of “Sunshine in my Soul!”

“There is sunshine in my soul today, More glorious and bright

Than glows in any earthly sky, for Jesus is my light.”

By His Grace . . . 

I Have a Hope

 

“I have a hope, serene and sure, That anchors past the veil;

In all the storms it holds secure, Nor will it ever fail.”

Serene: calm, peaceful, tranquil. Sure: firmly established; steadfast

Serene and sure are obtainable qualities in the Hope we have in God. Every believer has the opportunity to be serene and secure in God’s Hope.

How do we obtain it? By believing in God’s Word. By trusting what God says. This we must do if we want to be secure and sure in our faith.

I was only recently introduced to this hymn. But the words of the first verse pulled me in and held me. If we believe in God and His Son, Jesus, we all have a HOPE. The Hope. Joyful Hope. Glorious Hope. Forever Hope.

Our heart will be calm and peaceful, even during difficult times. It will be sure of our God and Savior. The refrain of this hymn says: “My hope is born of God’s own Word, And nourished by His grace; His promise true my soul hath heard, And hope beholds His face.”

Hebrews 6:19 says: “We have this confidence as a sure and strong anchor for our lives. This confidence goes into the holy place behind the curtain.” God made an oath so that we can know His Hope is secure. We can be confident because it is impossible for God to lie.

Is your Hope serene and sure? Is it secure through the storms in your life? You can have His Hope. As the hymn says: “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, To be happy in Jesus, But to trust and obey.” And there you will find His Hope.

By His Grace . . .

"Take My Life and Let it Be"

“Take My Life and Let it Be”

“Take my intellect and use, Every power as Thou shalt choose,

Every power as Thou shalt choose.”

God provided every person with a mind and the ability to use it. Yet, every person’s mind is different. There are some who possess a brilliant mind and understanding of many things. Others have a lesser degree of knowledge. Some must depend on the help of others to lead them through life.

Most of us have an average degree of knowledge and understanding. God has equipped us to do a few things well and expects us to continue growing through study and help from others.

I want God to use all my mind for His glory. I can learn through other’s abilities and gain experience in areas I’m not good at. God can take anyone who is willing and teach them ways to serve with the gift(s) He gives them. Everyone has a gift given to them when saved into God’s family. He then uses your skills to work in that area.

Hebrews 10:16 tells us: “This is the promise that I will make to them after those days, says the Lord: ‘I will put my teachings in their hearts and write them in their minds.’”

With the truth God gives His children, He can use it for His glory. We need to be open and available for His call.

“Every power as Thou shalt choose.” God’s power is the greatest power of the universe. All things are under His control. From all the galaxies in the universe to you. Let God have His way in your life. You will be surprised at what you can accomplish if He is in control.

“Take my intellect and use” it for Your glory, Almighty God!

By His Grace . . .

My Savior First of All

 

“Oh, the soul-thrilling rapture when I view His blessed face;

And the luster of His kindly beaming eye;

How my full heart will praise Him for the mercy, love and grace,

That prepared for me a mansion in the sky.”

How do we thank a loving God for all He has done when we see Him face-to-face? It’s hard to imagine.

It says there will be no crying in heaven. That’s one of the first things I think I would do. Tears of happiness. Tears of disbelief. Tears of joy. Tears of thanksgiving.

I expect I will be stunned into silence. Wonderment. Amazement. Awe.  Unimaginable joy.

Since becoming Christians we’ve all heard sermons and teachings about going to heaven. Meeting Jesus in the air. Seeing His face. Yet truly, how can we ever imagine what it will be like.

Our hearts will be full of praise. Will we be able to stutter a word? Or will we just stand in amazement.

“Soul-thrilling rapture.” The intense feeling of joy, delight and love. We are talking about feelings like we’ve never felt here on earth.

We have lived for Him. Prayed to Him. Loved because of Him. Served Him. All without actually seeing Him. All because we’ve read God’s Word and know that He is real and alive.

We know we will see Him one day because Paul said: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is In Christ Jesus our Lord.”

While we are waiting for this grand entrance into heaven, let’s do all we can while serving God in this life. Use the gift(s) God has given you. We have the word of the disciples and those who saw Jesus after the resurrection that He lives. That we are really going to be with Him when we die. That could be today.

There will be “soul-thrilling rapture” when we see our Savior. Are you ready?

By His Grace . . .