You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas I am strong, when I am on your shoulders You raise me up to more than I can be.

* In the Olympic games of Barcelona 1992, there was an English runner by the name of Derek Anthony Redmond. He was a very brilliant runner. They were expecting him to win the 400 meters. Derek Redmond was it. They came to the finals and the gun was sounded. He's running towards the 400-meter mark. At the 125-meter mark, he stops and clasps his leg. He's pulled a hamstring. He falls. They come and bring him a stretcher. He says, "No", and he gets up and he's hobbling over. And out of the crowd, there's a man running down and the security's trying to get to him until he just said these words, "I'm his father".

And Derek's dad, big guy, he is pushing everybody aside. He comes onto the track, and they don't know who he is. He's pushing them aside, said, "That's my son". And the father comes beside Derek and he's hobbling like this, and he comes and puts his arm around him and he said, "I'm gonna do this myself, dad". He said, "That's fine, son: let me help you at least half the way". And so he puts his arm around Derek and Derek's got his hand on his shoulder.   In the video background is the music playing, "He lifts me up," "He raises me up". And there he is, on the shoulder of his dad, hobbling.

And the dad did something amazing with about five meters to go. He pulled away and let Derek burst the tape on his own.

And when you know that He(God) raises you up when your head is on His shoulder, He lifts you up when that hamstring has felled you, He comes to carry you out of a crowd of people, "That's my son: I'm his(her) father". I want you to know that the glory of God is at it's greatest when you and I are at our weakest and God comes and says, "Put that head on My shoulder: I'm going to care you through".

Don't wait... Lean on Jesus.. He is waiting for you!! 

But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head.Psalms 3 :3 

https://youtu.be/kZlXWp6vFdE

(video of Derek Redmond) 

*selected

 While disappointments are inevitable, discouragement is a choice. You do not have to yield to the devil’s debilitating whispers of doubt and fear or be trapped in self-pity.

During a very troubling time in Israel’s history, God directed Jeremiah to speak words of hope and encouragement to the disheartened exiles in Babylon: “‘I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jeremiah 29:11). The people of Israel could avoid discouragement by remembering that God had wonderful plans for their future.

God is for us. He is not against us.

In Babylon, the Israelites sorted out their faith and rediscovered their deep need for the Lord. We must do the same. If we are ever going to reach our full potential, we must understand a very important truth: God is for us. He is not against us. He often uses trials to position us for greater blessing, and even in times of great disappointment, we can trust that he has our best interests in mind and will work all things out for our good. He knows how he wants to use the disappointment or hardship for our benefit, and he desires that we see him as our only source of salvation and blessing.

When you feel tempted to yield to discouragement, go to God in prayer. Tell him all you are feeling. God has an objective view of the situation. He sees the future and knows the direction your life will take. He also wants you to totally depend on him and not rely on the compliments of others, earthly success or worldly resources to make you happy. While disappointments will come—you live in a fallen world, after all—you can live above it by focusing your heart on Jesus Christ.

If you are in an emotionally or physically difficult spot right now, refuse to become discouraged. Ask the Lord to reveal his will and plan for your life. Commit yourself fully to him and obey him no matter what it costs you. If you take this approach, then God will provide for you in ways that far exceed human understanding.  

But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze  .Isaiah 43 : 1 -2

Selected....Charles F stanly

 

But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. Jude 1: 20‭-‬23 

The book of Jude in closing, gives us seven commands: 

(1) Keep building up your inner life on the foundation of faith.

 (2) Pray in the Holy Spirit.

 (3) Fasten your life to the love of God.

 (4) Receive more mercy from our Lord Jesus Christ. 

(5) Have compassion on the wavering.

 (6) Share the gospel with those who are lost. 

(7) Hate any compromise that will stain our lives.

Here's my heart, oh take and seal it Seal it for Thy courts above

 

**Consider for a moment the life of Robert Robinson.His is a story of God's ability to turn tragedy into truimph-- one of the most moving that I have ever read .Robinson reminds me of so many men and women I have known through the years.Perhaps you will recognize something of yourself in his experience.

Robinson wrote the unforgettable words to the hymn "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing",one of my favourites.He was a good man who at the age of seventeen placed his trust in Christ through the influence of the great preacher George Whitefield.He later entered the ministry to serve Christ with great love and devotion.

But Robinson was an honest man,too,and he acknowledged a difficult truth about himself:His love for Jesus was deep but not dependable.At times his passion for God waned and the well of his devotion ran dry.Sometimes he felt nothing at all for His Lord.His heart was"prone to wander"

This cold truth troubled Robinson.As he grappled with it,he began to write out his thoughts and feelings,and finally produced a timeless hymn."Come Thou Fount" is an autobiographical story of a man so unworthy,so unfaithful, yet always forgiven and welcomed home to the loving arms of his Lord.

As time moved on and Robinson grew older,he wandered farther and farther from God.His actions and attitudes began to darken,and he came to feel that the distance between God and himself had become too great to be renconciled.Sin and corruption had taken root in his life.How could he ever look into the eyes of Jesus again? Robert Robinson was a miserable man,consumed by the grief of his own guilt.With the restless heart of Jonah,of the Prodigal Son,and of every guilt-ridden soul,he took to the road.Maybe some distant land would hold the cure.Maybe he could somehow leave his self -condemnation behind.

One day, a young woman, who was filled with joy of Christ and who could talk of nothing else,sat across from him in a stagecoach.Robinson. of course, would have chosen any other topic available. But he was a captive audience: he could not, obviously ,leap out of  a moving carriage.So he resigned himself to a discussion of spiritual matters.In those days,people used hymnals as devotional books, and this young woman had such a volume in her lap.She said,"Sir,I'd like your opinion of one of these hyms-one that has been such a powerful influence in my life ."And she handed the hymnal across to him.

Robinson looked at the page and found himself confronted by his own words.His throat ran dry and he could think of nothing to say.He tried to hand the book back to her.But the young lady persisted,assuming he must be as moved by the words to "Come Thou Fount" as she was.Maybe that was the reason for the sudden wetness in his eyes,the great tears sliding down his face.But slowly the realization dawned on her that she was looking into the face of a tortured soul.

Robinson saw that she knew the truth.He began to nod slowly,then the words finally followed:"I am the man who wrote that hymn",he said."Many years ago.I'd give anything to experience that joy again-anything".

The woman was shocked.She looked down at the page and saw the name of the poet who was sitting across from her: Robert Robinson.His life story was written in the ink below her,and his potrait was painted in the tears of the man before her.

The young lady pointed to the lines he knew so well.She began to speak gently about the"streams of mercy,never ceasing" that were still deep enough to drown his tears.She showed him there were no seasons too lengthy,no distance too great for the love of God to find him,comfort him,and bring him home again.

That day,Robert Robinson,broken and defeated,rediscovered the love he had left behind.I can imagine the joy he felt,because in my own life,that first love is everything.

If as a believer, your heart is prone to wander,if your well of devotion has run dry, if you have somehow, through the busyness of life and the maze of challenges and relationships, left your first love ..Jesus is waiting for you!!

##

Come Thou fount of every blessing
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace
Streams of mercy never ceasing
Call for songs of loudest praise

Teach me some melodious sonnet
Sung by flaming tongues above
Praise the mount, I'm fixed upon it
Mount of Thy redeeming love

Here I raise my Ebenezer
Here by Thy great help I've come
And I hope by Thy good pleasure
Safely to arrive at home

Jesus sought me when a stranger
Wandering from the fold of God
He to rescue me from danger
Interposed His precious blood
(Precious blood)

Oh, that day when freed from sinning
I shall see Thy lovely face
Clothed then in blood washed linen
How I'll sing Thy sovereign grace

Come my Lord, no longer tarry
Take my ransomed soul away
Send Thine angels now to carry
Me to realms of endless days

Oh, to grace how great a debtor
Daily I'm constrained to be
Let Thy goodness like a fetter
Bind my wandering heart to Thee

Prone to wander, Lord I feel it

 Prone one to leave the God I love

Here's my heart, oh take and seal it

Seal it for Thy courts above

Here's my heart
Oh take and seal it
Seal it for Thy courts above

https://youtu.be/bpGFMuXshGE

**selected..The joy of intimacy with God..Bill Bright

2022: Abide with me, Lord Jesus

 

“Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;

Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away;

Change and decay in all around I see—

O Thou who changest not, abide with me”

A devout man of God who has entered these days of the new year would say the words “Abide with me, Lord”.

Henry Francis Lyte who was orphaned at a young age, completed his studies with the help of his school teacher. God put a desire to serve Him in his heart. He joined the Divinity school and studied for 3 years and in the year 1815 he took holy orders in a church. He served for the glory of God in a very blessed manner. After some years he moved to a place which was less cold, as was instructed by doctors due to his tuberculosis, and continued his service there.

He worked very hard for the people of his church in a small fishing village named Brixham. He used to come to sea shore to pray for those who go for fishing and to receive them and pray again as they returned. As the days went by, Henry’s health deteriorated. 

Once as he opened his Bible for an evening prayer, the pages turned by itself due to wind that blew through the open window. The pages turned and he saw his favorite verses from Luke chapter 24 verses 29. 

“Abide with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” Luke 24:29

Henry who was filled with the peace and joy of the Lord, strolled the beach side. He experienced the presence of Jesus. His burdens were cast away from his heart. In that joy he penned the song “Abide with me”!!!

After he wrote this song, he moved to a place in France named Nice, which was in the year 1847. While he was there, his illness aggravated and he went to be with the Lord.

As we look around at the beginning of this year 2022, we see only changes. We are unable to plan anything with confidence. There is uncertainty everywhere.  

(Change and decay in all around I see

Thou changest no abide with me)

  God is unchanging!! Let these words get fixed in our hearts.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17 

He also says, “In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth,

and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will roll them up like a robe;

like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.” Hebrews 1:10-12

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

I the LORD do not change. Malachi 3:6a

Remember only an year changed…Our God is unchanging!!

Year is new, but our God is same yesterday today and forever!!!

###

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;

The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide;

When other helpers fail and comforts flee,

Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me.

Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;

Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away;

Change and decay in all around I see—

O Thou who changest not, abide with me.

I need Thy presence every passing hour;

What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s pow’r?

Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?

Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;

Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness;

Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?

I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;

Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies;

Heav’n’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;

In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

             

2022..The year of new beginnings..

Song: The New Leaf

A NEW SHEET,

He came to my desk with a quivering lip,

the lesson was done.
“Have you a new sheet for me, dear teacher?
I’ve spoiled this one.”
I took his sheet, all soiled and blotted
and gave him a new one all unspotted.
And into his tired heart I cried,
“Do better now, my child.”

A NEW DAY,

I went/came to the throne of God with a trembling heart;
the day was done.
“Have you a new day for me, dear Master?
I’ve spoiled this one.”
He took my day, all soiled and blotted
and gave me a new one all unspotted.
And into my tired heart He cried,
“Do better now, My child.”

Jesus Loves you...!!!!

Blessed New year 2022

2022..Abide with me Lord Jesus...

 

"ആയുസാം ചെറുദിനമോടുന്നു

ഭൂസന്തോഷ മഹിമ മങ്ങുന്നു

ചുറ്റിലും കാണുന്നു മാറ്റം കേടു
മാറ്റമില്ലാത്ത ദേവാ കൂടെ പാര്‍ക്ക ..."

ഒരു പുതിയ വർഷത്തിലേക്ക് പ്രവേശിച്ച ഈ ദിവസങ്ങളിൽ ദൈവത്തോടു് ഒരു ഭക്തൻ പറയുന്ന വാക്കുകൾ " കൂടെ പാർക്ക കർത്താവേ " എന്നായിരിക്കും.

ചെറുപ്പത്തിൽ തന്നെ അനാഥനായ ഹെൻ്റി ഫ്രാൻസിസ് ലെയ്റ്റ് താൻ പഠിച്ച സ്കൂളിലെ അധ്യാപകൻ്റെ സഹായത്താൽ വിദ്യാഭ്യാസം പൂർത്തിയാക്കി.
ദൈവവേല ചെയ്യാനുള്ള ആഗ്രഹം ദൈവം ഹെൻ്റിയുടെ ഹൃദയത്തിൽ നൽകി. ഡിവിനിറ്റി സ്കൂളിൽ ചേർന്ന് 3 വർഷം ദൈവവചനം പഠിച്ചു.1815-ൽ സഭാ ശുശ്രുഷകനായി നിയമിതനായി. വളരെ അനുഗ്രഹീത നിലയിൽ അദ്ദേഹം ദൈവനാമ മഹത്വത്തിനായി പ്രവർത്തിച്ചു.
ചില വർഷങ്ങൾ കഴിഞ്ഞപ്പോൾ ക്ഷയരോഗബാധിതനായ അദ്ദേഹം ഡോക്ടർമാരുടെ നിർദേശപ്രകാരം തണുപ്പു കുറഞ്ഞ മറ്റൊരു സ്ഥലത്ത് ശുശ്രൂഷ തുടർന്നു.

ബ്രിക്സ് ഹാം (Brixham ) എന്ന കൊച്ചു മുക്കുവ ഗ്രാമത്തിൽ തൻ്റെ സഭയിലെ ജനങ്ങളുടെ ക്ഷേമത്തിനായി അദ്ദേഹം ഏറെ അധ്വാനിച്ചു: മീൻ പിടിക്കാൻ പോകുമ്പോൾ അവരെ പ്രാർത്ഥിച്ചയയ്ക്കുവാനും മടങ്ങി വരുമ്പോൾ സ്വീകരിച്ച് പ്രാർത്ഥിക്കുവാനും ഹെൻ്റി ലെയറ്റ് കടൽക്കരയിൽ എത്തുമായിരുന്നു.
നാളുകൾ കഴിയുന്തോറും ഹെൻ്റിയുടെ ആരോഗ്യം ക്ഷയിച്ചു കൊണ്ടിരുന്നു.

ഒരു സന്ധ്യാ സമയം പ്രാർത്ഥനയ്ക്കായി ബൈബിൾ തുറന്നപ്പോൾ ജനാലയിൽ കൂടി വീശിയടിച്ച കാറ്റു മൂലം താളുകൾ താനേ മറിഞ്ഞു. താൻ ഏറ്റവും പ്രിയപ്പെട്ടിരുന്ന വചനഭാഗത്ത് പേജുകൾ വന്നു മറിഞ്ഞു നിന്നു. ലൂക്കോസിൻ്റെ സുവിശേഷം 24-ാം അദ്ധ്യായം 29-ാം വാക്യം അദ്ദേഹം വായിച്ചു.

" ഞങ്ങളോടുകൂടെ പാർക്കുക; നേരം വൈകി അസ്തമിപ്പാറായല്ലോ .....
ലൂക്കൊസ് 24: 29 (a)

ദൈവീക സമാധാനത്താലും സന്തോഷത്താലും നിറയപ്പെട്ട ഹെൻ്റി കടൽത്തീരത്തിൽ പതിയെ നടന്നു. യേശുവിൻ്റെ സാമീപ്യം അദ്ദേഹം അനുഭവിച്ചറിഞ്ഞു. ഭാരങ്ങൾ ഹൃദയത്തിൽ നിന്ന് നീങ്ങിപ്പോയി.. ആ സന്തോഷത്തിൽ നിറഞ്ഞ് അദ്ദേഹം എഴുതിയ ഗാനമാണ് (കൂടെ പാർക്ക നേരം വൈകുന്നിതാ) Abide with me !!!

ആ ഗാനം എഴുതിക്കഴിഞ്ഞ് ഹെൻ്റി 1847 ൽ ഫ്രാൻസിലെ "നൈസ്" എന്ന സ്ഥലത്തേക്ക് യാത്രയായി. അവിടെ വച്ച് രോഗം മൂർച്ഛിച്ചു താൻ സ്നേഹിച്ച കർത്താവിൻ്റെ സന്നിധിയിലേക്ക് അദ്ദേഹം കടന്നു പോയി.

2022 ൻ്റെ ആരംഭത്തിൽ ചുറ്റും നോക്കിയാൽ എങ്ങും മാറ്റങ്ങൾ മാത്രം. ഒന്നും ഉറപ്പിച്ച് പ്ലാൻ ചെയ്യാൻ കഴിയുന്നില്ല .എവിടെയും അനിശ്ചിതത്വം....
(change and decay in all around i see
Thou changest not abide with me)
ദൈവം മാറാത്തവൻ !!
ചില വചനങ്ങൾ ഹൃദയത്തിൽ പതിയട്ടെ!

എല്ലാ നല്ല ദാനവും പൂർണ്ണവരം ഒക്കെയും ഉയരത്തിൽനിന്ന്, വെളിച്ചങ്ങളുടെ പിതാവിങ്കൽനിന്ന് ഇറങ്ങിവരുന്നു. അവന് ചാഞ്ചല്യമോ, നിഴൽ മാറുന്നതു പോലുള്ള മാറ്റമോ ഇല്ല. യാക്കോബ്. 1: 17

“കർത്താവേ, നീ പൂർവ്വകാലത്തു ഭൂമിക്കു അടിസ്ഥാനം ഇട്ടു, ആകാശവും നിന്റെ കൈകളുടെ പ്രവൃത്തി ആകുന്നു. അവ നശിക്കും; നീയോ നിലനില്ക്കും; അവ എല്ലാം വസ്ത്രംപോലെ പഴകിപ്പോകും; ഉടുപ്പുപോലെ നീ അവയെ ചുരുട്ടും; വസ്ത്രംപോലെ അവ മാറിപ്പോകും; നീയോ അനന്യൻ; നിന്റെ സംവത്സരങ്ങൾ അവസാനിക്കയുമില്ല” എന്നും പറയുന്നു.
എബ്രായർ 1 :10‭-‬12

യേശുക്രിസ്തു ഇന്നലെയും ഇന്നും എന്നെന്നേക്കും മാറ്റമില്ലാത്തവൻ തന്നേ.
എബ്രാ. 13: 8

“യഹോവയായ ഞാൻ മാറാത്തവൻ..
മലാഖി 3: 6(a)

ഓർക്കുക ! വർഷമേ മാറിയിട്ടുള്ളു ...
നമ്മുടെ ദൈവം മാറ്റമില്ലാത്തവൻ !!

Year is new But our God is the Same Yesterday Today and forever !!!

കൂടെ പാര്‍ക്ക നേരം വൈകുന്നിതാ
കൂരിരുള്‍ ഏറുന്നു പാര്‍ക്ക ദേവാ
ആശ്രയം വേറില്ല നെരമെനി-
ക്കാശ്രിതവത്സലാ കൂടെ പാര്‍ക്ക

ആയുസാം ചെറുദിനമോടുന്നു
ഭൂസന്തോഷ മഹിമ മങ്ങുന്നു
ചുറ്റിലും കാണുന്നു മാറ്റം കേടു
മാറ്റമില്ലാത്ത ദേവാ കൂടെ പാര്‍ക്ക

രാജരാജന്‍ പോല്‍ ഭയങ്കരനായ്
യാചകന്‍ സമീപേ വരാതെ നീ
നന്മ ദയ സൌഖ്യമാം നല്‍വരം
നല്‍കി രക്ഷിച്ചു നീ കൂടെ പാര്‍ക്ക

സദാ നിന്‍ സാന്നിധ്യം വേണം താതാ
പാതകന്മേല്‍ ജയം നിന്‍ കൃപയാം
തുണ ചെയ്യാന്‍ നീയല്ലാതാരുള്ളൂ
തോഷതാപങ്ങളില്‍ കൂടെ പാര്‍ക്ക

ശത്രു ഭയമില്ല നീ ഉണ്ടെങ്കില്‍ 
ലോക കണ്ണീരിനില്ല കൈപ്പോട്ടും
പാതാളമേ ജയമെവിടെ നിന്‍
മൃത്യുമുള്‍ പോയ് ജയം കൂടെ പാര്‍ക്ക

കണ്ണടഞ്ഞിടുമ്പോള്‍ നിന്‍ ക്രൂശിനെ
കാണിക്ക മേല്‍ ലോകമഹിമയും
ഭൂമിഥ്യാ നിഴല്‍ ഗമിക്കുന്നിതാ
ഭാഗ്യോദയമായ്‌ നീ കൂടെപാര്‍ക്ക