For Preciousness of Souls...

Happy Almost Mid-May!! Once more the day the Lord has made extends the goodness of God’s grace... We never know what a day holds!We will never know the ways of God, save this;all things work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. (Rom.8:28)All things! though disappointments crush,though sorrows roll,though disobedience appears to flourish,though faith is tested,though many prayers seem to go unanswered,though cares groan in our mortal tentGod is working these things together for good to those who truly, utterly love Himand are earnestly seeking to serve God's purposes rather than desires of the human heart. The human bent ofandand until faith reaches the place where we are willingto place our dearly-beloved Isaacs on the altar of sacrifice, trusting God's holy and righteous love/will above all, we struggle and fall, because we are born with a rebellious nature,and thought that errs!God's purpose calls us, not to be true to ourselves,but true to Him! 2 Cor.5:9-11&14-15Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences... 14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. 2 Pet.3:8-9But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (I really wanted to write about mothers and tots, my family, spring beauty, friends and so much that has confounded delight recently, and maybe I still will, but the sacred Source of awe and purpose seemed to sound a more solemn note to start a new week! ) *** Once more the preciousness of souls compels all who believe to prayBecause the holiest of goals approaches with each passing dayThis transient tent of skin and bone is but Immortality’s cloakA dwelling place in which we groan, while should'ring love’s compelling yoke The human heart is full of schemes to serve the part/art that eyes beholdTossed to and fro by ‘that which seems’ rather than what God’s word has toldNot how one talks but how one walks bears witness to faith’s diligenceBeware of subtle stumbling blocks dressed in kind disobedience Study ‘the way that seemeth right’, lest it is filled with compromiseLest first impressions of delight tempt us with ‘you will become wise’Lest, in the garden of today, we fall prey to temptation’s viceEnticed by ‘did God really say?’ rather than humble sacrifice Once more the day the Lord has made extends the goodness of God’s graceThe example, when Christ obeyed still guides the whole of human raceFaultless and faithful to the end, He bore, for preciousness of soulsThe death of convicts, to defend, nay, break the curse where darkness rolls time’s flicker, no mean, cosmic whimThe cross, love’s proof that God first chose to save all who believe in HimThen pray, for preciousness of souls, we take up love’s cross for His sakeBecause the holiest of goals approaches, with each breath we take © Janet Martin Lyrics by Elisha Hoffman-1839-1929 1 You have longed for sweet peace,And for faith to increase,And have earnestly, fervently prayed.But you cannot have rest,Or be perfectly blest,Until all on the altar is laid. Refrain:Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid?Your heart does the Spirit control?You can only be blest,And have peace and sweet rest,As you yield Him your body and soul. 2 Would you walk with the LordIn the light of His Word,And have peace and contentment alway?You must do His sweet willTo be free from all ill–On the altar your all you must lay. [Refrain] 3 Oh, we never can knowWhat the Lord will bestowOf the blessings for which we have prayed,Till our body and soulHe doth fully control,And our all on the altar is laid. [Refrain] 4 Who can tell all the loveHe will send from above,And how happy our hearts will be made,Of the fellowship sweetWe shall share at His feetWhen our all on the altar is laid! [Refrain]