Praise the Lord for the beautiful,
bountiful, and colorful world we live in; the Lord still loves this
world. I woke up early this morning and looked out through the Bay
window, where I gazed at the moon beaming brightly with dazzling beauty.
The stars were sparkling. "And I said to myself, 'What a
wonderful world!'" Praise the Lord for all the nations, all the
people groups who are precious in His sight. Praise the Lord for America
the beautiful, a shining city built on a hill.
I
took a random walk yesterday by the corn fields and meadows. As the snow
has melted, the grass looked greener and the skies looked bluer than the ocean.
Praise the Lord for snow and rain. I felt like spring is about burst
forth. We spent a few days in California two summers ago.
The State was in the midst of dire drought. The Lord
has blessed the region with heavy rains and, in places, heavy snow falls,
recently. They are reporting that much of the drought situation has been
redressed. Praise the Lord for each day.
I
spoke top some family members back in India. Winter is already making
space for Spring. The Mango trees have started blooming spreading their
pleasant and sweet scents and aroma. The Spring birds are out in droves
singing and praising their Creator.
Our
daughter flew to Hawaii yesterday to spend some time in the tropics. She
is like her father who loves tropics and warm weather. She will be
spending her vacation time there with a couple of her close friends from
College days.
I
talked to our grandchildren in Philly and Washington. They have had some
very warm days. Lindy her mommy spent some time outdoors, and Asha,
Gabe , and Addy also spent some time outdoors.
This is for our friends overseas: America will be celebrating the
birthday of Martin Luther King Jr this coming Monday. We praise the
Lord for the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. The
son of a Baptist Pastor, he was born and raised in the Church, and His
life was molded and shaped by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Martin Luther
King Jr was called and commissioned to be a minister of Jesus Christ our
Lord. He went for Graduate Studies at Boston University, which was
founded by the Methodist Church. Dr King became a pastor and
theologian who served Lord with great courage and Passion. Praise the
Lord for men like Dr King, along with Dietrich Bonhoeffer of
Germany, and John and Charles Wesley of England. Martin Luther and
countless servants and lovers of Jesus who have followed Him served over the
centuries have proclaimed the Power of the Gospel of Jesus that changes lives
and transforms cultures and nations, and saves people and
nations from decay, decadence, and destruction.
Next
week will be an exciting week for many in our nation. On Friday the 20th
of January the 45th President of the United States of America will be sworn
in. Praise the Lord for the founding Fathers of this great Nation. They
were influenced and impacted by the tenets and truths of the Bible. They
recognized the Authority of God as revealed in Bible, in governances
of human affairs. Praise the Lord for the role of the church in the
formation of this great Nation. Praise the Lord for the Founding Fathers
made a provision in the Constitution regarding the peaceful transition
and transfer of power. We pray the Lord would shed Grace on the land
and on our leaders. May Jesus continue bless the church to be the salt of
the earth and light of the world.
Praise the Lord for Sunday, the Lord's day. Plan to be in His House
wherever you might be. "Better is one day in His House than a
Thousand elsewhere". We will meet for Sunday School at 9:30 AM. and
for worship at 10:30 AM.
Praise
the Lord for the way He lavishes on all of us His matchless grace in season and
out of season. We celebrate His grace. He is worthy of all our
worship and praise.
We
are preparing and planning for a special of evening of feasting at the
banqueting table. It will be held on Saturday the 18th of
February. Our chefs and cooks will be preparing foods that are Mexican,
Swedish, Italian, and Indian. There will be dessert galore. The
meal will be served at 6:00 PM, followed by an evening of beautiful music
worship. No reservation is required. There is always room at
the Lord's table. Those of you who live in the area, please join us
- we will make you happy.
“The salvation of the righteous
comes from the Lord; He is their stronghold in time of trouble. The Lord
helps and delivers them; He delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in Him” (Ps. 37:39-40).
When
I was in Australia several years ago, the guide told us that it was best
to be back inside when the sun went down, because that's “when all the
creatures come out and begin eating each other.” The outback creatures
were playing "Hide and Seek" with survival as the prize. So do
you and I each day.
Where
is safety to be found? Certainly safety is not to be found in the temporary
rhythms that control this world. Everything on Earth comes and goes in cycles.
Mountains rise and fall. Self-improvement projects fail and falter. Each
of us is on a one-way journey that always ends.
Safety is found anytime it
is needed by hiding under the wings of Almighty God. “He shall cover you with
His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge” (Ps. 91:4). What a
picture of warmth and protection we find in His availability and commitment to
us. Only the Holy Spirit can bring the comfort and security we need. Only the
Spirit of God was given by the Father and the Son to comfort us with peace that
has an eternal quality (John 16: 26; 14:26-27).
Today’s verses tell us
where we are to hide. Safety is found in a relationship with the One who
controls life, the Creator. He controls life, the environment and the forces of
nature. When we are told: “The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord:
He is their stronghold in time of trouble…because they take refuge in Him,” we
have found where we are to hide: in Him.
Safety comes from a
personal relationship with God Almighty through His Son, whom He sent to make a
way through His death, burial and resurrection, which is the payment for each
person’s sins. Full-hearted belief in Jesus and what He has done is how a person
can have a personal relationship with God and find security and a place to
hide.
The gospel of salvation is
the gate into safety that is guarded by the Good Shepherd whose rod and staff
comforts His fearful sheep.
"Finding the Place
Where I Should Hide"©
Taking refuge in Jesus, I find peace.
I become a little child whose trust is near.
He stands between me and what I fear.
Taking refuge in Jesus, I find peace.
I become a little child whose trust is near.
He stands between me and what I fear.
Taking refuge in Jesus, I
am safe.
I become calm; I’m now found.
He holds me above shifting ground.
I become calm; I’m now found.
He holds me above shifting ground.
Taking refuge in Jesus, I
am strong.
I can raise my head and I can see.
He sets me free and abides with me.
I can raise my head and I can see.
He sets me free and abides with me.
Taking refuge in Jesus,
I have found where I should hide.
It’s the same place where I abide.
I have found where I should hide.
It’s the same place where I abide.
In Christ,
Brown
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