Our Brief Sojourn

Recently, a friend told me the sad news that she'd had a death in her family. Yesterday my son called to ask for prayer and told me that his precious wife, our daughter-in-law, had been hit head on by another vehicle as she was pulling out of their garage on her way to work. 

Miraculously, she sustained only minor injuries, but her car was totaled and she could have been killed.

I praise our merciful God for sparing her life!

Our sojourn on this earth is so brief. Moses wrote in Psalm 90:10, 12: 

"Our days may come to seventy years,or eighty, if our strength endures;

Lord, Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."

Life is also so random. Anything can happen at any time any day. But when you know and walk with the Lord Jesus Christ you have full assurance of your eternal dwelling place. You know that His word promises He will never forsake those who have put their hope in Him. All those who have committed their lives to Christ are sealed with the living Spirit of Christ. They are eternally inseperable.

Copyrighted//Source: Pinterest

Charles Haddon Spurgeon is one of my favorite Bible teachers. A reformed Baptist preacher, he lived and preached in England during the 19th century. He wrote many sermons, devotionals and inspirational books. 

The following excerpt is from his devotional "Morning and Evening." May it bless and comfort you as much as it did me.

Morning, June 29

"Them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him."

1 Thessalonians 4:14

Let us not imagine that the soul sleeps in insensibility. 

"Today shalt thou be with me in paradise," is the whisper of Christ to every dying

saint. 

They "sleep in Jesus," but their souls are before the throne of God, 

praising him day and night in his temple, singing hallelujahs to him

who washed them from their sins in his blood.

The body sleeps in its lonely bed of earth, beneath the coverlet of grass. 

But what is this sleep? The idea connected with sleep is "rest,"

and that is the thought which the Spirit of God would convey to us. 

Sleep makes each night a Sabbath for the day. 

Sleep shuts fast the door of the soul, and bids all intruders tarry for a while, 

that the life within may enter its summer garden of ease. 

The toil-worn believer quietly sleeps, as does the weary child 

when it slumbers on its mother's breast. 

Oh! happy they who die in the Lord; they rest from their labours, 

and their works do follow them. Their quiet repose shall never be broken…”

__________________________________________________________________________________

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, please bless and encourage all those who have suffered the loss of loved ones or friends this week, or who will soon face such grief. Thy word says You are close to the brokenhearted and that You bind up their wounds. Fill their souls with rivers of Thy love, grace, peace and hope; give them faith to know that their loved ones are safe with You. Thank You, Lord, in Jesus' name, amen. 

Excerpt From: Charles H. Spurgeon. “Morning and Evening: Daily Bible Readings for Every Day of the Year.”

Unto The Least Of These © 2015 Suzanne Davis Harden All Rights Reserved.

May He Restore Your Soul

"The truth told with evil intent is worse than all the lies."~ William Blake

My prayer today is for all God's precious children who have been hurt by those who have misused the truth to harm innocent souls through no fault of their own.

These precious individuals have suffered intensely at the hands of those who were agents of evil masquerading as angels of light.

Jesus called them "wolves in sheep's clothing." He also said, "You shall know them by their fruits."

Because of their unspeakable acts, their victims suffer lifelong emotional and often physical damage.

Luke wrote in His Gospel, "Jesus said to His followers, 'things will surely happen that will make people sin. But it will be very bad for anyone who makes this happen. 

It will be very bad for anyone who makes one of these little children sin. It would be better for them to have a millstone tied around their neck and be drowned in the sea. So be careful.'" Luke 17:1-3 (ERV)

St. Mark wrote in his gospel that Jesus once said, "If someone causes one of the little ones who believe in me to lose faith, it would be better for that man if a huge millstone were tied around his neck and he were thrown into the sea." Mark 9:42 (TLB)

One day, the Bible promises that Jesus will wipe away every tear from every eye.

I pray for all the precious souls that have been hurt by those who have misused the truth with evil intentions. 

May the Lord Jesus restore your soul. May He wrap you in His measureless love for you and cover your scars with the blood He shed for you on the cross. May you know that He shares your pain and suffering. May He wash it away, along with all your tears in the Mercy River, as you trust your heart to Him. In Jesus' Name. 

Jesus Cherishes you and so do I. ~Suzanne ❤️

Unto The Least of These "May God Restore Your Soul" © 2014 Suzanne Davis Harden, All Rights Reserved.  Photo Credit/via Pinterest; Scripture Quotations:  (ERV) © 2006 World Bible Tranlation Center All Rights Reserved. (TLB © 1971 Tyndale  House, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 

God Wants a Relationship Not Religion

Jesus prayed to His Heavenly Father on the Eve of His Crucifixion, 

"Now this is eternal life: that they know You, the only true God, 

and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent." ~John 17:3 

Lord, fill me with Your Love today, Oh draw me close to You,

I long to know You more and more, Oh Holy God of Truth.

I long to walk close by Your side, like Enoch must have walked, 

Walking with You every day~ no other god he sought.  

Walking, ever walking, keeping stride with You,

Lord, let me walk like Enoch walked, in Spirit and in Truth.

Lord, fill me with Your light today, and let me know Thy voice,

Lord, let my heart not be deceived by those who are not Yours. 

Lord, let me know Thy voice that I might not be led astray:

Lord, let me not be blind or deaf: oh help me watch and pray.

Lord, let me walk as Enoch walked in humble trust and faith;

Lord, draw me closer to Thy heart, and let me sing Thy praise.

Lord, let me ever sing to You for all You've given me,

For sacrificing all You were that I could be redeemed.

Lord, let me live to honor You, my life a song of praise,

A gift to You, Lord Jesus Christ, like Enoch all my days.

In Jesus' Name. Amen.

A Prayer Poem: "Lord, Let Me Walk As Enoch Walked"

© 2014 Suzanne Davis Harden All Rights Reserved. 

Unto The Least Of These, © 2014 Suzanne Davis Harden All Rights Reserved. Scripture Quotation: NIV © 2011 Biblica, Inc / Photo Illustration via Pinterest

Letters From God

 

LETTERS FROM GOD
Has God given you a dream? Maybe it's an idea that seems too impossible to ever come true. Don't throw it away! Have faith in the dreams that God sows inside your heart. Here are some scriptures to encourage you to keep believing and working toward making those dreams God gives you come true. God Bless you. I am praying for you.

The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me. Lord, Your love is eternal…"~(Psalm 138:8 NLT)

"God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished
on the day when Christ Jesus returns." ~Philippians 1:6 (Philippians 1:6 NLT)

“This is the word of The Lord…‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” ~ (Zechariah 4:6 NIV)

"Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin…" ~(Zechariah 4:10 NLT)

"Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think."~(Ephesians 3:20 NLT)

Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” ~(Matthew 19:26 NLT)

"For nothing is impossible with God.” ~(Luke 1:37 NLT)

"God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. Glory to God…” ~Ephesians 3:20 (The Message Bible)
 
Heavenly Father, may You bless each person reading these words. May they not give up on the dreams You have created them to fulfill. Thank You, Lord. I love You. In Jesus' name. Amen.

"Letters From God" © S.D.Harden Illustration © S.D. Harden Scripture Quotations © New Living Translation; The Message Bible © Eugene Peterson; © New International Version Bible; Unto The Least of These © Suzanne Davis Harden All Rights Reserved.

Lord, Help Me Be Like That Tree

Deuteronomy 31:8 (NLT)

Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. 

He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” 

Lord, Help Me To Be That Tree  (© S.D. Harden)

Lord, help me be the flexible tree~ 

That bends its boughs in adversity,

Through winds of trial and suffering,

That hides itself away in Thee

And trusts when assailed by enemies; 

Whose limbs bow humbly in chastening, 

Who will not break but find the Stream 

Of God to drink, it's roots will cling,

It's roots dig deep into that Stream... 

It's leaves are ever full and green,

It bears its fruit to Christ it's King...

In every season it will sing...

Oh Lord, help me to be that tree.

Oh Lord, help me to be that tree~

That tree that bows and bends to Thee; 

For the tree that bows and bends the knee 

Will bear the fruit that honors Thee,

That lasts throughout Eternity...

Oh Lord, help me to be that tree. 

Heavenly Father, may we ever cling to Your promises in Your word that You are always with us in every season of our lives. No matter what challenge we may ever face on our path, You will be right there to see us through as we put our faith, hope, and trust in You. Thank You, Lord. In Jesus' name, amen.

"Lord, Help Me To Be That Tree," © 2014 S.D. Harden All Rights Reserved. Illustration © 2014 S.D. Harden All Rights Reserved. Scripture Quotation: New Living Translation © 2007 Tyndale House Publishers; Unto The Least of These © 2014  Suzanne Davis Harden 

The Simple Things

The Simple Things

To everything a season, 

To everything a time,

Oh Lord, help me to just enjoy 

Each moment of my life...

Open up my eyes

To see where I've been blind 

To blessings You have given

On my path of life.

Make me ever thankful, Lord,

For everything You bring

Rejoicing every day with You

In all the simple things. 

© 2014 S.D. Harden

"The Simple Things" © 2014 S.D. Harden All Rights Reserved. Photo Illustration\Pinterest

God Will Take Care Of You

God Will Take Care Of You

"If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! 

If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me. 

If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to You; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with You."~ Psalm 139:8-12

Wherever we are on our journey, God is there with us. He knows our every need. He who measures the sand on the shore and calls all the stars by name, knows where I am at every moment and the words I am going to speak before I even open my mouth! (Psalm 139:4) 

Even in difficult times God's word assures us that He will provide for His children:

"Once I was young, and now I am old.Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread." (Psalm 37:25)

God's love for each of us is measureless. He demonstrated His amazing love by sending His Son Jesus Christ to suffer and die on the cross for our sins so that we might know Him and gain eternal life. He loves us as a Father loves His little ones:

"God's love for His followers is as high above us as heaven is above the earth. 

And He has taken our sins as far away from us as the east is from the west. 

The Lord is as kind to His followers as a father is to his children." ~ Psalm 103:11-14

God will take care of us. We may not have all we want in this life, but God will always provide everything His children need. He will never fail or forsake us in any moment of our life. 

Jesus said, "Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” ~ Matthew 28:20

"Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him! 

Fear the Lord, you His godly people, for those who fear Him will have all they need." 

~ Psalm 34:8-9

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your faithfulness to always provide for us. You have never let a single one of Your children down and You never will. When we are tempted to worry, help us to recall all the times when You have been faithful and have come through for us. May we ever praise You! In Jesus' name. Amen.

"God Will Take Care Of You" ©2014 S.D. Harden Unto The Least of These/Photo Illustration Source/Pinterest

Never Give Up!

Psalm 107:10, 12-16, 19-22 

"Some of God’s people were prisoners, locked behind bars in dark prisons. ...They stumbled and fell, and there was no one to help them. They were in trouble, so they called to the Lord for help, and He saved them from their troubles. He took them out of their dark prisons. He broke the ropes that held them. 

Thank the Lord for His faithful love and for the amazing things He does for people. He breaks down their bronze gates. He shatters their iron bars. They were in trouble, so they called to the Lord for help, and He saved them from their troubles. 

He gave the command and healed them, so they were saved from the grave. 

Thank the Lord for his faithful love and for the amazing things He does for people. 

Offer sacrifices of thanks to Him. Sing with joy about all that He has done." 

NEVER GIVE UP

Wherever you are on your journey, whatever challenge you may be facing right now, 

be assured that God is with you, though you may not be aware of His Presence. 

Know that He who created all the stars and calls them all by name; who knows the 

numbers of hairs on your head and bottles all your tears, loves you beyond measure.

If your faith is eclipsed by a trial of suffering right now and it is difficult to feel God's love

as You have in the past, know that His Spirit is still inside of you, holding you close to His heart. Even as the sun is still shining during a solar eclipse, God's Spirit is still abiding strong within your heart. He will never leave you in your valley of the shadow. 

King David wrote, "The Lord is close to those who have suffered disappointment. He saves those who are discouraged." (Psalm 34:18 ERV)

Though you may not be able to feel the Lord's presence in your present circumstances, trust and abide in His word. Stand strong on His promises because, "No word from God shall ever fail." (Luke 1:37 NIV)

Whatever you do, remember:  "Jesus told his disciples...that they should always pray and not give up."~Luke 18:1

Don't give up! God has a wonderful future ahead for you. God promises in His word, 

 "I know the plans that I have for you.” This message is from the Lord. “I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future. Then you will call My name. You will come to Me and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will search for Me, and when you search for Me with all your heart, you will find Me. I will let you find Me.” This message is from the Lord. “And I will bring you back from your captivity.” ~Jeremiah 29:11-14 ERV

Heavenly Father, thank You for every person reading these words today. May You fill their hearts with rivers of hope. Renew, restore their faith and give them an abiding awareness of Your holy Presence within and around them everywhere they go, at all times. Encourage their hearts and never let them give up, dear Lord, even as You, Lord Jesus, never gave up despite the pain, the shame, and suffering, when You gave Your life for us on the cross. Protect Your dear children from hopelessness and discouragement as You help them to focus their thoughts on Thy word and to abide in Thee at all times. Thank You Lord. I love You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Unto The Least of These, "Never Give Up" © S.D. Harden/ Photo Illustration Source/Pinterest

New Year's Prayer 2014

Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit, please bless all Thy children in the coming year.

Fill us with rivers of peace and hope from the eternal springs of heaven. 

Scatter all our fears and anxieties to the four winds and whisper a song of assurance deep

in our hearts that all will be well. 

Lord, draw us closer to Thy heart. Let the light within us not be darkness. 

Fill us with a holy passion for Thy word and help us to hide it daily in our hearts that we might not be deceived by false teachings.

Good Shepherd Jesus, teach us to distinguish Thy voice above all the voices that daily compete for our attention; all the false voices that pretend to represent You; Lord give us great powers of holy discernment. 

Precious Lord, help us to always abide in You, to learn to pray without ceasing, to give thanks in all circumstances, and to rejoice always. 

Help us to never give up, no matter what challenge may come our way, knowing that You are always with us and will never leave or forsake us.

Lord, help us to remember that You are the Eternal Light and that no darkness has ever or can ever overcome You, and that as long as we abide in You, no darkness can ever overpower us either.

Thank You, Lord. I love You. In Jesus Name. Amen.

John 1:4-5 (Christ) was the source of life, and that life was the light for humanity. The light shines in the dark, and the dark has never extinguished it. 

Unto The Least of These, New Year's Prayer 2014, © S.D. Harden 

Illustration Source/Internet

With God All Things Are Possible

Ephesians 3:20
Now glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of—infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes.

My Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit, help me to love You today with all that is in me, and by faith to follow wherever You lead;
Please make me a light reflecting Your love everywhere I go and to all I meet. Thank You, Lord.
In Jesus’ name. I love You! Amen. ❤