Winepress of the Soul
What a week of wonderful weather!!We are enjoying summer-like temperatures for another two days before they plummet!
I am so thankful God's goodness does not shift like shadows (or weather!)With love comes a weight of care, doesn't it?!Wherever, in this care-bearing we are,What comfort to know we are called to cast our care on Him!
...casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Pet. 5:7
Beneath the burdens that we bear,Beneath love’s constant cross of careThere is comfort beyond compareIn God’s mercy renewedWhen we are weak then we are strongThrough He whose will is never wrongWhose grace ignites in us a songOf humble gratitude
The love that bore redemption’s wailAs triumph tore the temple’s veilIs faultless and will never failWhere all in this world willThen, though want oft misunderstandsThe cost obedience demandsAs we ponder Christ’s nail-scarred handsStorms of rebellion still
As we cast our cares on HeWho kindly cares for you and meHe helps us through the parts we seeOf toil and trouble’s tollLove’s cross is never borne in vainThough oft we stagger ‘neath its grain/painHis grace and goodness will sustainThe winepress of the Soul
Where pride primps reason's cunning tricks Where failure and folly afflicts The righteousness of God convictsAnd leads us on and upWhere beneath the burdens we bearThat pave life's/faith's path with prayer on prayerHis promises, beyond compareFill hope's uplifted cup © Janet Martin
James 1:12-18Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.