Sound Words for Pilgrims

Jun 29, 2006 at 18:02 o\clock

All our Blessings are from God

by: soundwords

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?    Romans 8:31-32

Here are eternal blessings--we are called, justified, and in God’s reckoning glorified! Words fail us and we ask “What can we say to these things?” Rather than speaking, perhaps we need to simply look and see the One through Whom all these blessings flow--the Son Who was not spared but delivered up for us all. If He has done this, can He fail in any of His promises? Herein we rest.    --Reg. L. Jordan

Christ from whom all blessings flow, perfecting the saints below,
Bless us, who Thy nature share, who Thy holy body are. --C. Wesley

Jun 27, 2006 at 01:15 o\clock

Share your Troubles with Him

by: soundwords

Title: Rehearse Your Troubles to God Only

Author: Mrs. Charles E. Cowman
Source: Streams in the Desert
Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 13:7-13 

"Love covereth" (Prov. 10:12). "Be eager in pursuit of this love" (1 Cor. 13:7-13, Weymouth).

Rehearse your troubles to God only. Not long ago I read in a paper a bit of personal experience from a precious child of God, and it made such an impression upon me that I record it here. She wrote:

"I found myself one midnight wholly sleepless as the surges of a cruel injustice swept over me, and the love which covers seemed to have crept out of my heart. Then I cried to God in an agony for the power to obey His injunction, 'Love covereth.'

"Immediately the Spirit began to work in me the power that brought about the forgetfulness.

"Mentally I dug a grave. Deliberately I threw up the earth until the excavation was deep.

"Sorrowfully I lowered into it the thing which wounded me. Quickly I shoveled in the clods.

"Over the mound I carefully laid the green sods. Then I covered it with white roses and forget-me-nots, and quickly walked away.

"Sweet sleep came. The wound which had been so nearly deadly was healed without a scar, and I know not today what caused my grief."

"There was a scar on yonder mountain-side,
Gashed out where once the cruel storm had trod;
A barren, desolate chasm, reaching wide,
Across the soft green sod.

"But years crept by beneath the purple pines,
And veiled the scar with grass and moss once more,
And left it fairer now with flowers and vines
Than it had been before.

"There was a wound once in a gentle heart,
Whence all life's sweetness seemed to ebb and die;
And love's confiding changed to bitter smart,
While slow, sad years went by.

"Yet as they passed, unseen an angel stole
And laid a balm of healing on the pain,
Till love grew purer in the heart made whole,
And peace came back again."

This classic devotional is the unabridged edition of Streams in the Desert. This first edition was published in 1925 and the wording is preserved as originally written. Connotations of words may have changed over the years and are not meant to be offensive.

Jun 26, 2006 at 23:50 o\clock

Summer

by: soundwords

Postings may be more sporadic during the summer months.  Please use http://www.choicegleanings.com/home.php for Choice Gleanings or else use http://www.backtothebible.org/devotions/devotion.php/streams for Streams in the Desert daily entries.

Jun 26, 2006 at 18:22 o\clock

His Eternal Purpose

by: soundwords

Whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.    John 3:15
I must be about my Father’s business.    Luke 2:49
It is finished.    John 19:30

Before the foundation of the world, the Lord knew His purpose for coming to this earth. At age twelve He announced it publicly to His parents and the learned teachers of His day. He confirmed it in John 4:34, “My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me, and to finish His work.” With His last breath, nails piercing both hands and feet, life soon to be relinquished, He said, “It is finished.” The work is done. Take a moment and thank Him for it right now.     --Charlie Tempest

Lift up your heart, lift up your voice,
Rejoice again, I say rejoice. --Charles Wesley

Jun 23, 2006 at 18:19 o\clock

Look at the Lord not the Waves

by: soundwords

Title: Don't Look at the Waves

Author: Mrs. Charles E. Cowman
Source: Streams in the Desert
Scripture Reference: Matthew 14:29-30 

"When Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me" (Matt. 14:29-30).

Peter had a little faith in the midst of his doubts, says Bunyan; and so with crying and coming he was brought to Christ.

But here you see that sight was a hindrance; the waves were none of his business when once he had set out; all Peter had any concern with, was the pathway of light that came gleaming across the darkness from where Christ stood. If it was tenfold Egypt beyond that, Peter had no call to look and see.

When the Lord shall call to you over the waters, "Come," step gladly forth. Look not for a moment away from Him.

Not by measuring the waves can you prevail; not by gauging the wind will you grow strong; to scan the danger may be to fall before it; to pause at the difficulties, is to have them break above your head. Lift up your eyes unto the hills, and go forward--there is no other way.

"Dost thou fear to launch away?
Faith lets go to swim!
Never will He let thee go;
'Tis by trusting thou shalt know
Fellowship with Him."

This classic devotional is the unabridged edition of Streams in the Desert. This first edition was published in 1925 and the wording is preserved as originally written. Connotations of words may have changed over the years and are not meant to be offensive.

Jun 22, 2006 at 00:09 o\clock

Placed for a Purpose

by: soundwords

Title: Placed For a Purpose

Author: Mrs. Charles E. Cowman
Source: Streams in the Desert
Scripture Reference:

"It was noised that he was in the house" (Mark 2:1).

The polyps which construct the coral reefs, work away under water, never dreaming that they are building the foundation of a new island on which, by-and-by, plants and animals will live and children of God be born and fitted for eternal glory as joint-heirs of Christ.

If your place in God's ranks is a hidden and secluded one, beloved, do not murmur, do not complain, do not seek to get out of God's will, if He has placed you there; for without the polyps, the coral reefs would never be built, and God needs some who are willing to be spiritual polyps, and work away out of sight of men, but sustained by the Holy Ghost and in full view of Heaven.

The day will come when Jesus will give the rewards, and He makes no mistakes, although some people may wonder how you came to merit such a reward, as they had never heard of you before. --Selected

Just where you stand in the conflict,
There is your place.
Just where you think you are useless,
Hide not your face.
God placed you there for a purpose,
Whate'er it be;
Think He has chosen you for it;
Work loyally.
Gird on your armor! Be faithful
At toil or rest!
Whate'er it be, never doubting
God's way is best.
Out in the fight or on picket,
Stand firm and true;
This is the work which your Master
Gives you to do.
--Selected

Safely we may leave the crowded meeting, the inspiring mountain top, the helpful fellowship of "just men," and betake ourselves to our dim homely Emmaus, or to our dread public Colossae, or even to our far Macedonia in the mission field, quietly confident that just where He has placed us, in the usual round of life, He ordains that the borderland may be possessed, the victory won. --Northcote Deck

This classic devotional is the unabridged edition of Streams in the Desert. This first edition was published in 1925 and the wording is preserved as originally written. Connotations of words may have changed over the years and are not meant to be offensive.

Jun 20, 2006 at 18:18 o\clock

Members One of Another

by: soundwords

For we are members one of another.    Ephesians 4:25
Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.   
Ephesians 4:32

The apostle Paul reminded the Ephesian believers of the importance of interpersonal relationships in the family of God. There are at least twenty-seven expressions using the brotherly phrase “one another” in the New Testament. The days in which we live may cause us to forget or dull our senses to the needs of one another. Let us remember  to encourage and be kind to our fellow believers as we all deal with the challenging times life brings us.   
--Bob Cretney

Others, Lord yes others, let this my motto be.
Help me to live for others, that I might live like Thee. --C. D. Meigs

Jun 19, 2006 at 17:04 o\clock

He Spared not His own Son

by: soundwords

If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father...all the men of his city shall stone him with stones that he die.    Deuteronomy 21:18, 21
I have glorified thee on the earth; I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do.    John 17:4
This is My beloved Son.    Luke 9:35
He spared not His own Son.    Romans 8:32

The Old Testament is full of rebellious sons who shamed their fathers in many ways. The New Testament is full of the righteous Son who glorified His Father in every way. Out of love, many rebellious sons were spared. Out of love, one righteous Son was not.    --S. McE.

Jehovah bade His sword awake; O Christ it woke ‘gainst Thee.
Thy blood the flaming blade must slake; Thy heart its sheath must be.

Jun 17, 2006 at 19:07 o\clock

God is Able to Deliver

by: soundwords

There is no other God that can deliver after this sort.   
Daniel 3:29

What a testimonial from a heathen king who had previously been hostile to God. Nebuchadnezzar had heard Shadrach, Mesach and Abednego say that whether God delivered them or not, they would not bow down to his heathen image. But God did deliver them in a miraculous way, and he realized that the gods of Babylon were no match for the God of Israel. When we are tried for our faith, may we determine to conduct ourselves as these three men of God did, and glorify God through our faithfulness to Him.   
--W. H. Burnett

Tis the grandest theme through the ages rung,
Tis the grandest theme for a mortal tongue,
Tis the grandest them that the world e’er sung,
Our God is able to deliver thee. --William Ogden

Jun 16, 2006 at 18:20 o\clock

Deeds done for God but Unknown by man

by: soundwords

And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly.    Joshua 2:1

When the twelve spies were originally sent out by Moses they were named. The names of these two faithful and courageous men are not mentioned. Human nature likes our names to be known if something is accomplished for God. I often feel when this occurs that the Lord’s words are so timely “They have their reward.” It is the self effacing, unknown saints who lovingly carry out deeds of kindness who will receive the great heavenly rewards. It was only the Lord Jesus who noticed the widow with her two mites.    --Brian Russell

Before the eyes of men let duly shine thy light,
But ever let thy life’s best part be out of sight.
--Richard Chenevix Trench

Jun 15, 2006 at 18:08 o\clock

God's Work is For Ever

by: soundwords

I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever. Ecclesiastes 3:14

Major purchases now come with an offer of an extended warranty --for a price of course. Not so with the Lord! In Christ we have an eternal redemption guaranteed by an everlasting covenant, giving us everlasting life, light, love, joy, mercy, salvation and more. No extra price is involved. The entire purchase was settled by the precious blood of Christ at Calvary. Does He back up His promises? You better believe He does. Rest assured, He’s good to His word!           
--Rex Trogdon

Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.
--E. A. Hoffman

Jun 14, 2006 at 19:14 o\clock

Bought with a Price

by: soundwords

For ye are bought with a price.    1 Corinthians 6:20

We have been redeemed at infinite cost--the precious blood of the Son of God Himself. No longer do we belong to ourselves to “do our own thing.” Actually we shouldn’t even want to do those things again if they are contrary to that good and perfect will of God (Rom. 12:2). Now we belong to both God the Father and God the Son (Jn. 17:10). If we love and obey the Lord Jesus, He and the Father will make their abode with us (Jn. 14:23)! Can you believe it? And there is more still--the Lord Jesus says that He is glorified in us (Jn. 17:10)! In us? May we never cause Him grief or shame.    --Gertrud Harlow

He freely redeemed with His blood, my soul from the confines of hell,
To live on the smiles of my God, and in His sweet presence to dwell.                                                 --Francis

Jun 13, 2006 at 18:23 o\clock

All for Him

by: soundwords

Thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.    Acts 16:24
Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.   
2 Timothy 2:9

Paul knew about stocks and bonds, but not the kind we think of. His view of worldly gain? “I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ” (Phil. 3:8). Destitute in a dungeon, he wrote, “I have all” (Phil. 4:18). “I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die...for the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 21:13). Were we willing to be acquainted with Paul’s kind of stocks and bonds, we too might set the world on fire!   
--D. Logan

All to Jesus I surrender, humbly at His feet I bow,
Worldly pleasures all forsaken, take me Jesus, take me now.
--Van De Venter

Jun 12, 2006 at 18:27 o\clock

Sweetness of the Storm

by: soundwords

Title: Sweetness of the Storm

Author: Mrs. Charles E. Cowman
Source: Streams in the Desert
Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 1:5 

"In everything ye are enriched by him" (1 Cor. 1:5).

Have you ever seen men and women whom some disaster drove to a great act of prayer, and by and by the disaster was forgotten, but the sweetness of religion remained and warmed their souls?

So have I seen a storm in later spring; and all was black, save where the lightning tore the cloud with thundering rent.

The winds blew and the rains fell, as though heaven had opened its windows. What a devastation there was! Not a spider's web that was out of doors escaped the storm, which tore up even the strong-branched oak.

But ere long the lightning had gone by, the thunder was spent and silent, the rain was over, the western wind came up with its sweet breath, the clouds were chased away, and the retreating storm threw a scarf of rainbows over her fair shoulders and resplendent neck, and looked back and smiled, and so withdrew and passed out of sight.

But for weeks long the fields held up their bands full of ambrosial flowers, and all the summer through the grass was greener, the brooks were fuller, and the trees cast a more umbrageous shade, because the storm passed by--though all the rest of the earth had long ago forgotten the storm, its rainbows and its rain. --Theodore Parker

God may not give us an easy journey to the Promised Land, but He will give us a safe one. --Bonar

It was a storm that occasioned the discovery of the gold mines of India. Hath not a storm driven some to the discovery of the richer mines of the love of God in Christ?

Is it raining, little flower?
Be glad of rain;
Too much sun would wither thee;
'Twill shine again.
The clouds are very black, 'tis true;
But just behind them shines the blue.

Art thou weary, tender heart?
Be glad of pain:
In sorrow sweetest virtues grow,
As flowers in rain.
God watches, and thou wilt have sun,
When clouds their perfect work have done.
--Lucy Larcom

This classic devotional is the unabridged edition of Streams in the Desert. This first edition was published in 1925 and the wording is preserved as originally written. Connotations of words may have changed over the years and are not meant to be offensive.

Jun 9, 2006 at 18:37 o\clock

Turn your Eyes Away from Yourselves

by: soundwords

Author: Mary Wilder Tileston
Source: Joy and Strength
Scripture Reference Colossians 3:12-13 

Turn Your Eyes Out

Put on therefore, a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if any man have a complaint against any; even as the Lord forgave you, so also do ye.
COLOSSIANS 3:12,13 (R. V.)

THE discord is within, which jars
So sadly in life's song;
'Tis we, not they who are in fault,
When others seem so wrong.
FREDERICK WM. FABER

SELF-PREOCCUPATION, self-broodings, self-interest, self-love,--these are the reasons why you go jarring against your fellows. Turn your eyes off yourself; look up, and out! There are men, your brothers, and women, your sisters; they have needs that you can aid. Listen for their confidences; keep your heart wide open to their calls, and your hands alert for their service. Learn to give, and not to take; to drown your own hungry wants in the happiness of lending yourself to fulfil the interests of those nearest or dearest. Look up and out, from this narrow, cabined self of yours, and you will jar no longer; you will fret no more, you will provoke no more; but you will, to your own glad surprise, find the secret of "the meekness and the gentleness of Jesus"; and the fruits of the Spirit will all bud and blossom from out of your life.
HENRY SCOTT HOLLAND

Jun 7, 2006 at 19:06 o\clock

Our Riches in Christ

by: soundwords

The riches of His grace.   
Ephesians 1:7
The exceeding riches of His grace.   
Ephesians 2:7
The riches of His glory.   
Ephesians 3:16
The riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.    Ephesians 1:18
The unsearchable riches of Christ.    
Ephesians 3:8

God has already shown us the riches of His grace in our redemption and forgiveness, but in the ages to come we will learn the full extent of His grace. Similarly, we already benefit from the riches of His glory, but look forward with hope to the wonderful inheritance He has in store for us. Truly the riches we have in Christ are beyond our comprehension.    --Warren Hagey

Saviour, our only joy be Thou, as Thou our crown shalt be;
Be Thou, O Lord, our glory now, and through eternity. --Unknown

Jun 6, 2006 at 18:19 o\clock

Miracles of Jesus

by: soundwords

This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee. John 2:11
This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when He was come out of Judaea into Galilee.    John 4:54

John numbers two of the miracles of Jesus, calling them “the beginning” and “the second.” The first was changing the water into wine; the second was raising the son of a nobleman from the “point of death.” The first presents the joy of our redemption, which is the beginning of our life in Christ. The second presents our victory over death--reaching full delight when we see His face.   
--Tom Steere

How will our eyes to see His face delight,
Whose love has cheered us through the darksome night!
How will our ears drink in His well-known voice,
Whose faintest whispers make our soul rejoice! --James G. Deck

Jun 5, 2006 at 18:19 o\clock

God Works in the Dark

by: soundwords

Title: God Works in the Dark

Author: Mrs. Charles E. Cowman
Source: Streams in the Desert
Scripture Reference: Exodus 14:21 

"The Lord caused the sea to go back…all that night" (Exod. 14:21).

In this verse there is a comforting message showing how God works in the dark. The real work of God for the children of Israel, was not when they awakened and found that they could get over the Red Sea; but it was "all that night."

So there may be a great working in your life when it all seems dark and you cannot see or trace, but yet God is working. Just as truly did He work "all that night," as all the next day. The next day simply manifested what God had done during the night. Is there anyone reading these lines who may have gotten to a place where it seems dark? You believe to see, but you are not seeing. In your life-progress there is not constant victory; the daily, undisturbed communion is not there, and all seems dark.

"The Lord caused the sea to go back…all that night." Do not forget that it was "all that night." God works all the night, until the light comes. You may not see it, but all that "night" in your life, as you believe God, He works. --C. H. P.

"All that night" the Lord was working,
Working in the tempest blast,
Working with the swelling current,
Flooding, flowing, free and fast.

"All that night" God's children waited--
Hearts, perhaps in agony
With the enemy behind them,
And, in front, the cruel sea.

"All that night" seemed blacker darkness
Than they ever saw before,
Though the light of God's own presence
Near them was, and sheltered o'er.

"All that night" that weary vigil
Passed; the day at last did break,
And they saw that God was working
"All that night" a path to make.

"All that night," O child of sorrow,
Canst thou not thy heartbreak stay?
Know thy God in darkest midnight
Works, as well as in the day.

--L. S. P.

This classic devotional is the unabridged edition of Streams in the Desert. This first edition was published in 1925 and the wording is preserved as originally written. Connotations of words may have changed over the years and are not meant to be offensive.

Jun 3, 2006 at 18:46 o\clock

Christ in the Vessel

by: soundwords

Title: Christ in the Vessel

Author: Mrs. Charles E. Cowman
Source: Streams in the Desert
Scripture Reference: Mark 4:35-35 

"Let us pass over unto the other side" (Mark 4:35).

Even when we go forth at Christ's command, we need not expect to escape storms; for these disciples were going forth at Christ's command, yet they encountered the fiercest storm and were in great danger of being overwhelmed, so that they cried out in their distress for Christ's assistance.

Though Christ may delay His coming in our time of distress, it is only that our faith may be tried and strengthened, and that our prayers may be more intense, and that our desires for deliverance may be increased, so that when the deliverance does come we will appreciate it more fully.

Christ gave them a gentle rebuke, saying, "Where is your faith?" Why did you not shout victory in the very face of the storm, and say to the raging winds and rolling waves, "You can do no harm, for Christ, the mighty Savior is on board"?

It is much easier to trust when the sun is shining than when the storm is raging.

We never know how much real faith we have until it is put to the test in some fierce storm; and that is the reason why the Savior is on board.

If you are ever to be strong in the Lord and the power of His might, your strength will be born in some storm. Selected

"With Christ in the vessel,
I smile at the storm."

Christ said, "Let us go to the other side"--not to the middle of the lake to be drowned. --Dan Crawford

This classic devotional is the unabridged edition of Streams in the Desert. This first edition was published in 1925 and the wording is preserved as originally written. Connotations of words may have changed over the years and are not meant to be offensive.

Jun 2, 2006 at 18:20 o\clock

Strong Faith from Great Trials

by: soundwords

Title: Greatest Gifts Come Through Travail

Author: Mrs. Charles E. Cowman
Source: Streams in the Desert
Scripture Reference: Romans 4:18-19 

"For Abraham, when hope was gone, hoped on in faith. His faith never quailed" (Rom. 4:18-19).

We shall never forget a remark that George Mueller once made to a gentleman who had asked him the best way to have strong faith.

"The only way," replied the patriarch of faith, "to learn strong faith is to endure great trials. I have learned my faith by standing firm amid severe testings." This is very true. The time to trust is when all else fails.

Dear one, you scarcely realize the value of your present opportunity; if you are passing through great afflictions you are in the very soul of the strongest faith, and if you will only let go, He will teach you in these hours the mightiest hold upon His throne which you can ever know.

"Be not afraid, only believe." And if you are afraid, just look up and say, "What time I am afraid I will trust in thee," and you will yet thank God for the school of sorrow which was to you the school of faith. --A. B. Simpson

"Great faith must have great trials."

"God's greatest gifts come through travail. Whether we look into the spiritual or temporal sphere, can we discover anything, any great reform, any beneficent discovery, any soul-awakening revival, which did not come through the toils and tears, the vigils and blood-shedding of men and women whose sufferings were the pangs of its birth? If the temple of God is raised, David must bear sore afflictions; if the Gospel of the grace of God is to be disentangled from Jewish tradition, Paul's life must be one long agony."

"Take heart, O weary, burdened one, bowed down
Beneath thy cross;
Remember that thy greatest gain may come
Through greatest loss.
Thy life is nobler for a sacrifice,
And more divine.
Acres of bloom are crushed to make a drop
Of perfume fine.

"Because of storms that lash the ocean waves,
The waters there
Keep purer than if the heavens o'erhead
Were always fair.
The brightest banner of the skies floats not
At noonday warm;
The rainbow traileth after thunder-clouds,
And after storm."

This classic devotional is the unabridged edition of Streams in the Desert. This first edition was published in 1925 and the wording is preserved as originally written. Connotations of words may have changed over the years and are not meant to be offensive.