For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. [For all things originate with Him and come from Him; all things live through Him, and all things center in and tend to consummate and to end in Him.] To Him be glory forever! Romans 11:36 AMP

It is a life that is Provided…It comes FROM Him.

[All] are justified and made upright and in right standing with God, freely and gratuitously by His grace (His unmerited favor and mercy), through the redemption which is [provided] in Christ Jesus. Romans 3:24 AMP

It is a life that is Purchased…It is lived FOR Him.

But [you were purchased] with the precious blood of Christ (the Messiah), like that of a [sacrificial] lamb without blemish or spot. 1 Peter 1:19 AMP

It is a life that is Purified…It is lived IN Him.

But you were washed clean (purified by a complete atonement for sin and made free from the guilt of sin), and you were consecrated (set apart, hallowed), and you were justified [pronounced righteous, by trusting] in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the [Holy] Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:11 AMP

It is a life that is Purposeful… It is lived To Him.

We are assured and know that [ God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. Romans 8:28 AMP

It is a life that is Powerful … It is lived THROUGH Him.

For I am not ashamed of the Gospel (good news) of Christ, for it is God’s power working unto salvation [for deliverance from eternal death] to everyone who believes with a personal trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16 AMP

May all that He has purchased for you through His blood—His provision, His purity, His purposes, His power—be your overflowing portion this day.

God has given us precious promises. He has declared them to us because He wants us to know His heart, share His nature, escape corruption, build our faith, give us hope, and perfect us in holiness—

There are promises of comfort for your tears; 2 Corinthians 1:3
Promises of cleansing and forgiveness for your sins; 1 John 1:9
Promises of beauty for your ashes; Isaiah 61:3
Promises of guidance for your journey; Psalm 32:8
Promises of wisdom for your decisions; James 1:5
Promises of assurance for your doubts; Deuteronomy 31:6
Promises of deliverance for your afflictions; Psalm 34:18-19
Promises of victory for your battles; Romans 8:37
Promises of supply for your need; Philippians 4:19
Promises of grace for your inadequacy; 2 Corinthians 9:8
Promises of peace for your daily walk; John 14:27
Promises of strength for your weakness; 2 Corinthians 12:9
Promises of hope for your future; Jeremiah 29:11
Promises of mercy for each new day; Lamentations 3:21-23
Promises of completion for the good work He is doing in you. Philippians 1:6

In my last posting I shared the story behind the writing of As Unto Me. In today’s posting I would like to share the story behind the writing of Continue On. Both messages came as a result of life principles that the Lord taught my wife and she shared with me.

The opportunity to write Continue On came through the request of a DaySpring employee whose wife was a stay-at-home mom. “My wife,” he said, “has been at home raising our two children. She’s beginning to feel discouraged and thinks she is missing out by not being in the work place. I would like to share something with her that would help to support her decision to be at home. Is there a message you could write that would bring her encouragement? It would mean a lot.”

Continue On was written to help meet this need.

Continue On

A woman once fretted over the usefulness of her life. She feared she was wasting her potential being a devoted wife and mother. She wondered if the time and energy she invested in her husband and children would make a difference. At times she got discouraged because so much of what she did seemed to go unnoticed and unappreciated. “Is it worth it?” she often wondered. “Is there something better that I could be doing with my time?”

It was during one of these moments of questioning that she heard the still small voice of her Heavenly Father speak to her heart, “You are a wife and a mother because that is what I have called you to be. Much of what you do is hidden from the public eye but I notice. Most of what you give is done without remuneration but I am your reward. Your husband cannot be the man I have called him to be without your support. Your influence upon him is greater than you think and more powerful than you will ever know. I bless him through your service and honor him through your love. Your children are precious to me, even more precious than they are to you. I have entrusted them to your care to raise for me. What you invest in them is an offering to Me. You may never be in the public spotlight but your obedience shines as a bright light before Me. Continue on. Remember you are my servant, do all to please Me.”

Some of the lessons the Lord taught my wife and me at home eventually found their way onto the messages I wrote for DaySpring Cards. In today’s posting I would like to share the story behind the writing of the framed print As Unto Me.

A couple we knew from California came to visit us shortly after we moved to Arkansas in 1979. One day, while I was showing them the sights of Northwest Arkansas, my wife decided to surprise me by baking my favorite pie and serving it when we returned from our sightseeing adventure.

In her own words, here is the account of what she experienced that day…

“I came across some beautiful blueberries at a fruit stand and decided I would surprise Roy (and our guests) by making a delicious pie. I knew pie was Roy’s favorite dessert and even though I didn’t have a lot of confidence in pie making, I wanted to impress him and our guests with my efforts.

The whole time I was making the pie I was thinking how happy everyone was going to be that evening as I presented the pie. I knew how proud Roy would be of me. I looked forward to all the praise I was going to receive from Roy and from our guests.

After dinner, the moment I had been anticipating arrived. I cut the pie to serve everyone, but as I presented Roy with his piece, he said, “Sorry, I’m just too full; there’s no way I could eat it right now.”   I was absolutely shocked! All my effort and anticipation for praise – gone!

In that moment the Holy Spirit showed me my heart.  “Char, you made that pie for man. You did not do it as ‘unto Me’”. The Lord used the incident to remind me where my peace lies. The principle He showed me was, “Whatever you do, do it as unto the Lord”.  I found that the Lord, Himself, is my reward.  

His presence is my reward as I’m cooking, cleaning or going about my daily routine. The need for praise from others in order to feel secure is no longer needed, because the Lord Himself is filling that place. This truth became a joy in my life, knowing that each day was a ministry in all I did.”   

As Unto Me

 There may be times when others may not notice your efforts or give you recognition for something you’ve done. The credit may even go to someone else. Do it anyway, AS UNTO ME, for I will honor your obedience.

There may be times when you do your very best but still see your labors fail.

You may even sacrifice time or money to help someone and receive no words of appreciation. Do it anyway, AS UNTO ME, for I am your reward.

There may be times when keeping your word means giving up something that you would like to do. You may even find times when keeping a commitment will mean personal sacrifice. Do it anyway, AS UNTO ME, for I will not withhold anything from you that is good.

There may be times when you speak the truth in love to others; only to have your words rejected. You may even do something with good intentions and be completely misunderstood. Do it anyway, AS UNTO ME, for I know your heart.

There may be times when you forgive others; only to have them hurt you again. You may even reach out to bless others only to have them take advantage of your kindness. Do it anyway, AS UNTO ME, for I am your friend.

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24

Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ. Philippians 3:8 NLT

Jesus is the balancing point of life. He is the center of joy and giver of the peace that passes all understanding. He is at the heart of all contentment, and He is at the core of all completeness. He is the focal point of our faith and the epicenter from whom all blessings flow.

When Jesus is at the center of who you are it means you are at peace in His peace. You are at rest in His rest. His yoke is your yoke. His will is your delight. His plan is your pleasure.

When Jesus is at the center of what you do, it means you are content to go or stay, to have or have not, to possess or let go, to be active or quiet, to be recognized or unknown, to abound or be abased.

In all things and for all things you have Jesus. He is all wisdom, all power, all life, all love. To know Him, to treasure Him, and to have Him, is to gain all.

While place we seek, or place we shun,
The soul finds happiness in none;
But, with a God to guide our way,
‘Tis equal joy to go or stay.

Could I be cast where thou art not,
That were indeed a dreadful lot;
But regions none remote I call,
Secure of finding God in all.

I hold by nothing here below;
Appoint my journey and I go;
Though pierced by scorn, oppressed by pride,
I feel thee good—feel nought beside.

No frowns of men can hurtful prove
To souls on fire with heavenly love;
Though men and devils both condemn,
No gloomy days arise from them.

Ah, then! to his embrace repair;
My soul, thou art no stranger there;
There love divine shall be thy guard,
And peace and safety thy reward.

-Madam Gyon

Note: We recently posted the poem The Master Weaver’s Plan. At the time we listed it as “author unknown.” Since that time we have received information that the author was Benjamin Malachi Franklin 1882-1965. He wrote the poem in the late forties. It was first published in ‘The Memphis Commercial Appeal’ newspaper in 1950, per his grandson Bob Corley.

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10 NKJV

Is there a trial you are facing, a difficulty you are walking through, a sorrow you are carrying, a burden you are bearing, or a heartache that is causing you pain?

You are not alone in these trying times or through these difficult circumstances. There is one alone who is a very present help in time of need. In Jesus you have a Warrior who has won the battle, a Champion who has defeated the foe, a Conqueror who will lead you in triumph.

He is your Light in the darkest night, your Companion in the deepest valley, your Guide through the densest forest, your Rock on the shakiest ground, your Shelter from the strongest storm, your Oasis in the driest desert, your Captain on the roughest seas.

He is Master, Savior, Healer, Deliverer, Shepherd, and Friend.  In His name is your strong and high tower. He is your security, your shelter, your shield.

Run to Jesus! Run to His name. Run to His love. Run to His care. Run to His strength. Run in faith. Run in confidence. Run with all your heart and be safe.

He may not tell you how He will care for you, but He does assure you that you will always be in His care—1 Peter 5:7

He may not tell you when He will answer your prayer, but He does assure you that it will be in His time and for His purpose—Ecclesiastes 3:1

He may not tell you where you will be in a few years, but He does assure you that He is leading you on the right path—Psalm 23:3

He may not tell you what He will use to shape and mold your life, but He does assure you that He is conforming you to the image of His Son—Romans 8:29

He may not tell you why you are going through certain difficulties and trials, but He does assure you that nothing will separate you from His love—Romans 8:37-39

***

Thank you so much for the wonderful collection of quotes you sent in to Meet Me in the Meadow over the weekend. I was blessed, challenged, and inspired by so many of them. Let’s do it again soon. Look for another posting of “Great Quotes” later in the month.

Some writings are considered classics. They endure the test of time and are worth going back to and rereading time and again. The poem The Master Weaver’s Plan is a Christian classic and was quoted by Corrie ten Boom as she traveled and spoke around the world.

As far as I know, the author of this poem is unknown, but whoever wrote it has conveyed a reassuring message that has touched many hearts and lives through the years. I pray it will be a blessing to you today as you read it once again or discover it for the first time.

My life is but a weaving
Between the Lord and me;
I may not choose the colors–
He knows what they should be.

For He can view the pattern
Upon the upper side
While I can see it only
On this, the under side.

Sometimes He weaves in sorrow,
Which seems so strange to me;
But I will trust His judgment
And work on faithfully.

‘Tis He who fills the shuttle,
And He knows what is best;
So I shall weave in earnest,
And leave to Him the rest.

Not ’til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly
Shall God unroll the canvas
And explain the reason why.

The dark threads are as needed
In the Weaver’s skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned.

~ Benjamin Malachi Franklin

Update, 2/9/2012: At the time this post was published, we were not aware of the author of The Master Weaver’s Plan.  Since that time we have received information that the author was Benjamin Malachi Franklin 1882-1965. He wrote the poem in the late forties. It was first published in ‘The Memphis Commercial Appeal’ newspaper in 1950, per his grandson Bob Corley.

My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. John 10:29 NKJV

The other day I was helping clean some valuable antiques that had gotten covered with soot from a house fire. I approached the cleaning job very carefully, making certain none of the pieces got damaged. The first piece was a tea pot with a floral design. I placed it in some warm, soapy water, rubbed it down with a wash cloth, and watched it clean up nicely.

The second piece was a pottery container with a removable lid. It was made in England and was over a hundred years old. I started with the container. After dipping it in the warm, soapy water and applying the wash cloth, the container began to sparkle. When I finished, I picked up the lid. “This should clean up easily,” I thought.

I put the lid through the same cleaning cycle as the tea pot and the container. The soot began to disappear. On the top of the lid was a small raised knob that was part of the design. As I put some pressure on it to wipe off the remaining soot, I felt it move in my hand. I couldn’t believe it! This lid, that had survived more than a hundred years of use, met its end while in the grip of my hands. I felt terrible.

When I began the cleanup project, I was excited to be able to bring these antiques “back to life.” Even though I tried my best to do a good job, and took extra care not to damage anything, I failed to deliver. It was a powerful reminder that even though we have the best of intentions and try our best to please, we can still fall short. None of us has the power to completely control the things we hold in our hands.

Like those antiques, our lives are fragile, but with a far, far greater value. Into whose hands can we place our lives? Who can we trust to keep and protect us? Many have taken the risk of placing their lives into the hands of someone they trusted, only to have that person fail them and leave their lives broken. When someone we’ve trusted fails us, it can be hard to trust again.

Regardless of what our experience has been with people, God calls us to trust Him. People fail. It is God alone who never fails. People err. It is God alone who does not make mistakes. People disappoint. It is God alone who remains faithful.

It is God alone who calls you to place your life fully in His hand. How awesome is God’s hand! His hand formed the heavens, touched and cured a leper, opened the eyes of one born blind, blessed the children, lifted the lame, washed the disciples’ feet, broke bread and fed a multitude.

It is in God’s hand alone that you will be kept, cared for, and protected. It is God alone who can say, “No one can pluck you out of my hand.”