"From a Mother's Heart" expresses her response to God when He chose to take away from her newborn son the breath of life.
From a Mother's Heart - a touching post written by Mrs. Knickerbocker. She and her husband are missionaries to Burkino Faso and arrived there very recently. Due to complications of pregnancy, labor was induced a couple of weeks early. The baby seemed very healthy, but the Lord called him home to Heaven only two hours after he was born.
"From a Mother's Heart" expresses her response to God when He chose to take away from her newborn son the breath of life.
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“The LORD caused the sea to go back… all that night.” (Exodus 14:21) All That Night “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. found on p. 168 in Streams in the Desert , © 1925 by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman "And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people." (Acts 6:8) Acts 6 and 7 is where you will find the story of Stephen. Stephen was put in charge of taking care of widows. That is where I find him hero material. Stephen did miraculous and good things for his people (see Acts 6:8). Stephen loved the Lord and it shown on his face (see Acts 6:15). One day his difference made others feel uncomfortable. Isn't this how it starts? We do good and others are bothered by the good we do because, perhaps, it's making them look bad? So, as I was saying, some Jews brought Stephen into the Sanhedrin bringing false witnesses against him and accusing him of speaking against the customs of Moses (Acts 6:9-15,7:1). When asked if these charges were true Stephen replied with a long answer about how the Jews were enslaved, Moses’ leadership, and how the Jews of the time were responsible for murdering Jesus. We see in that portion of scripture, he had knowledge of his forefathers and he basically witnessed to the people in his defense even to the last breath that he took (see all of Acts chapter 7:2-60). This made those of the Sanhedrin very angry so they stoned Stephen to death. That made Stephen the very first martyr of Christ but I must say a very beautiful and righteous one; because, as he was being stoned, Stephen prayed that Jesus would not hold this sin against his persecutors. Wow what a beautiful request to make after a persecution! I know I wouldn't have that strength to say that. I do however hope and pray if the day comes that I go through something like this that I will have the courage of Stephen, using the very last words that I say to be telling others of this holy truth. •I personally always admired Stephen because he was full of faith and was chosen by Jesus' own disciples to be of some help to the neglected windows. Talk about your local hero. Yet he was a man of God who did miracles and good amongst his people (Acts 6:8). •The Bible doesn't say much about Stephen, but I imagine he could have healed someone like Peter and John but personally believe it was literally doing good among his people like helping to fix this and caring and seeing to that. A servant among his people -- maybe a lot like Jesus was before or at the start of His ministry; before it truly began, who knows. •So the challenge today is to ask God to give you boldness and courage against those who, as Jesus said in Matthew 5:44, "despitefully use you" or mistreat you. God Bless As You Live For Him! ~by Katy W. Used by permission “Their strength is to sit still.” (Isaiah 30:7b) In affliction and trial, our first response is often to seek for a way out. We have a sense that we must do something to fix the trouble. To us, action seems the best thing. But God bids us to “sit still.” In Psalm 46:10, He says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Worry and fretting do not solve any problems. They only cause us to dwell on them. Dwelling on problems leads to depression. Fretting is of no use because, no matter how much effort we may put into it, we cannot make one hair black or white (Matthew 5:36), or add height to our stature (Matthew 6:27), or control the number of hairs on our heads (Matthew 10:30). How then could we expect to control our circumstances? The apostle Peter encourages, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (I Peter 5:7) And Psalm 37:7 tells us, “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him.” Peter also urges, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” (I Peter 5:8) If we fret instead of resting in the Lord and casting our care upon Him; if we try to fix things ourselves rather than being still, this gives more chance for the devil to tempt. He plants seeds of worry in our hearts. These seeds sprout and grow and crowd out contentment and devour our peace. God wants us to cast our care on Him and be still. This is one way to guard against the attacks of the devil. Peter continues, “Whom resist stedfast in the faith…” Why? “…knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” (I Peter 5:9) No affliction is unique to us. Our brothers and sisters throughout the world suffer in the same way. Therefore we must be strong. And our strength is found in sitting still. Also, our affliction has a purpose. Peter goes on to explain God’s purpose for suffering, “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” (I Peter 5:10) The end result of affliction and suffering is spiritual maturity. Resting in and waiting on God in time of trial allows God to make us perfect and strong and firmly established in the faith. “For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength.” (Isaiah 30:15a) Peter concludes his thoughts by saying, “To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” (I Peter 5:11) Wits' End Corner Are you standing at "Wit's End Corner," Christian, with troubled brow? Are you thinking of what is before you, And all you are bearing now? Does all the world seem against you, And you in this battle alone? Remember – at “Wits’ End Corner” Is just where God’s power is shown. Are you standing at "Wit's End Corner," Blinded with wearying pain, Feeling you cannot endure it, You cannot bear the strain, Bruised through the constant suffering, Dizzy and dazed and numb? Remember – at “Wit’s End Corner” Is where Jesus loves to come. Are you standing at "Wit's End Corner" Your work before you spread, All lying begun, unfinished, And pressing on heart and head, Longing for strength to do it, Stretching out trembling hands? Remember – at “Wit’s End Corner” The Burden-bearer stands. Are you standing at “Wit’s End Corner”? Then you’re just in the very spot To learn the wondrous resources Of Him who faileth not. No doubt to a brighter pathway Your footsteps will soon be moved, But only at “Wits’ End Corner” Is the “God who is able” proved. ~ Antoinette Wilson "28Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. 29He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still." (Psalm 107:28,29) When Thou Passest Through the Waters When thou passest through the waters Deep the waves may be and cold, But Jehovah is our refuge, And His promise is our hold; For the Lord Himself hath said it, He, the faithful God and true: When thou comest to the waters Thou shalt not go down, but through. Seas of sorrow, seas of trial, Bitterest anguish, fiercest pain, Rolling surges of temptation Sweeping over heart and brain - They shall never overflow us For we know His word is true; All His waves and all His billows He will lead us safely through. Threatening breakers of destruction, Doubt's insidious undertow. Shall not sink us, shall not drag us Out to ocean depths of woe; For His promise shall sustain us, Praise the Lord, whose Word is true! We shall not go down, or under, For He saith, "Thou passest through." ~Annie Johnson Flint "2When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee." (Isaiah 43:2) Isaiah 41:14 says, “Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.” The thought I want to meditate on today is, “I will help thee.” Whenever I feel unable to do something, I need to remember that God said, “I will help thee.” · When I am afraid God says, “Fear not… I will help thee.” · When I do not have wisdom for a task, God says, “I will help thee.” He is the Lord · When my strength is ebbing, God says, “I will help thee.” I am a worm, but He is God. · When I feel that I have failed, God says, “I will help thee… thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.” He has the power to heal my failure and make me clean again. Thank You, God, that, in all things that I have need of You, You will help me. Does it seem like the race of life is hard, even impossible? Are you at the end of your strength and feel like you cannot go on another step? This marathon runner, Jonathan Raymond, felt the same way; but he just kept pressing on. He finished the race. 1Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Hebrews 12:1-3 “11What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life? 12Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?” (Job 6:11,12) In his state of wretchedness, Job welcomed the thought of death. His strength was gone. Did he really have hope of coming to the grave at a full age? What was the sense in prolonging life? His flesh was so weakened and his body so full of pain that he felt he had no more strength to fight his illness and no more strength to live. He had no expectations of being restored to health. “Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me? 14To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.” (Job 6:13,14) These words seem to be a very strong rebuke from Job to Eliphaz. It is as if he is saying, “Do you think I do not know? Do you think my ability to reason has been taken from me as well? My wisdom is in me. Instead of teasing me with prospects of recovery and prosperity that I have no hope of attaining, you should have had pity on me. Pity should be shown to a friend who is in trouble. Instead, you have forsaken the fear of the Almighty and added to my torment by your thoughtless words.” This rebuke from Job contains a good lesson for us. It gives us a look into the heart and thoughts of someone who is going through intense suffering. We cannot assume that we know how such a person feels. Unless we have walked in the same path as they, we cannot know what it is like. We should not tell the person, “Don’t worry. I’m sure things will get better. Just keep fighting.” Things may not get better, and he or she may have no more strength to keep fighting. The best thing to do is to just be there for that person and show him or her that you care. Many times there is nothing else you can do, and compassion is all the sufferer needs or wants. I hear the Savior say, “Thy strength indeed is small! Child of weakness, watch and pray, Find in me thine all in all.” "Jesus Paid it All," by Elvina M. Hall - first stanza Oh how I have felt my weakness and my lack of strength these past few months! Many a time it has driven me to the place of prayer where I cry out to God for help! When my strength is gone, I feel more keenly my need for God’s strength. Paul felt this weakness as well. In his flesh he bore an infirmity. This was not just an ordinary physical affliction. It was a messenger of Satan to buffet him. God allowed Satan to torment and try him. Paul’s infirmity helped to keep him humble. Through it, he realized his inability to be strong in many areas of life. Though he had received many revelations from God, Paul was not above the other brethren. The revelations gave him knowledge, but they did not give him spiritual strength. To remind him of this, God sent him weakness of the flesh. Paul felt his physical and spiritual weakness “in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses.” Yet, he remembered that he was going through these things for Christ’s sake. This understanding kept him from being depressed in what would seem to be very discouraging circumstances. Instead Paul said, “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” (Philippians 4:11b) Not only did Paul learn to be content, but he also learned to take pleasure in all circumstances, even the difficult ones, for he knew that he was enduring them for Christ’s sake. His weakness was an opportunity to glorify God; “for,” said he, “when I am weak, then am I strong.” (See II Corinthians 12:6-10). Paul’s weakness was turned into strength because he took his eyes off himself and looked to the Savior. He found in Christ his all in all. His testimony was, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13) “Thank You, God, for giving us the example of Paul. Help me to find in You my all in all.” |
About the Author
Hello! My name is Connie, and I live in North Carolina. The Lord has blessed me with wonderful parents, a wonderful sister, and a great church family . The past few years have been difficult in many ways, but God has been with me all the way. Much praise goes to the Lord for His guidance and wisdom in starting this website. I would also like to express my thanks to Valerie who has joyfully and willingly given of her time to help design this website and do much of the technical work. She and her family are faithful servants to the Lord. They also have gone through many trials in the past few years, but they have allowed God to use these trials to make them sweeter and more like His Son Jesus Christ. Rights:
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