Are You At Wits' End Corner?

Well, want to say first of all I am sorry for not sharing here as much as would like, despite the shut down it seems I’m busier! Also to be honest I have been struggling with the isolation .. even though not really feeling alone, I’m missing my family so much - brethren, friends, church,  etc. like everyone else. 
And am sure it’s worse where you are, so I really am grateful. 
And good news today!
 ... ta dah! 

Things are loosening a little on visiting family this Fri, here in NSW of Aust. Yay! Pray it will with you too soon.. ❤

I was just now writing to a dear sister and as I wrote these verses and this poem came to mind! 
I've love this passage and the key thought, so let us meditate briefly! 

Psalm 107:24-31

These see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep. 

 For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. 

They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. 

They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end.

Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. 

He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. 

Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. 

Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

Love these verses or really the whole Psalm, especially He hears their cries and brings them out of the their sore distresses! 

How rich are we to have our Father’s loving watchcare upon us!!

Then He makes the storm calm.. 
then they’re glad because they be quiet! 
(Oh yesss!) 
And He brings them to their desired haven. 

The hymn "Haven of Rest" comes to mind, so sharing 😊 (link also here).

This beautiful poem is really wonderfully woven around this Psalm. 
Often shown with no authorship, but a dear sister in Christ is given credit at end. Took this from Bible Truth Publishers, US, they've copies of it for sale there.

Are You At Wits' End Corner?

Are you standing at “Wits' End Corner”, Christian, with troubled brow?
Are you thinking of what is before you, And all you are bearing now?
Does all the world seem against you, And you in the battle alone?
Remember at Wits' End Corner Is where God’s power is shown.

Are you standing at “Wits' End Corner” Blinded with wearying pain?
Feeling you cannot endure it, You cannot bear the strain.
Bruised through the constant suffering, Dizzy and dazed, and numb
Remember at Wits' End Corner, Is where Jesus loves to come.

Are you standing at “Wits' End Corner” Your work before you spread?
Or lying begun, unfinished And pressing on heart and head.
Longing for strength to do it. Stretching out trembling hands
Remember at “Wits' End Corner” The Burden Bearer stands.

Are you standing at “Wits' End Corner” Yearning for those you love,
Longing and praying and watching, Pleading their cause above,
Trying to lead them to Jesus Wondering if you’ve been true?
He whispers at “Wits' End Corner” “I’ll win them as I won you.”

Are you standing at “Wits' End Corner” Then you’re just in the very spot.
To learn the wondrous resources Of Him Who faileth not!
No doubt to a brighter pathway Your footsteps will soon be moved
But only at Wits' End Corner Is the God who is able, “proved.”

Antoinette Wilson

Love the verses of the poem but the second last one really speaks to me specifically in spiritual longing for my family to know our sweet LORD, as I have come to know Him, most of all for salvation, but those Who know Him that they would read and heed His Word! 
And of course the work spread before me fills so much of my days, too often I do not take all my burdens to my wonderful LORD in prayer.🙏🙏🙏

Love the key thought in this! "God doesn't give us what we can handle, 

God helps us handle what we are given!"

Thanks for popping over dear ones, truly appreciate those who are able to comment more than I can say, may the LORD bless you all and keep you and your dear ones, well and safe in the hollow of His hands.

Prayer hugs, 

Shaz in Oz.x 🙏🏻🤗

PS . If you haven’t I'd love it you to join as a wonderful encourager of this blog ...  link HERE.  Thank YOU to those who have done so already. It really encourages me to keep on. 😊
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Lest We Forget ~ 25th April, 2020.

Well, today is 25th April and ANZAC day for all who live in Aust and NZ. As 2020 is such a different year, so this is a different ANZAC day. 
On this day we Aussies and Kiwis remember all who’ve given lives and served in war for our countries.
(At 6am, in dawn quiet, I stood at the end of driveway as the last post was played loudly on radio I had with me, remembering them, with thanksgiving)

On Sunday 25th April 1915, our joint forces (Australia New Zealand Army Corps) landed on the shores of Gallipoli, Turkey. An inept choice for landing, as these troops faced steep cliffs and a strong attacking Turkish force. This dramatic, especially sad defeat has become a unifying symbol for our countries. Here we achieved nationhood in a bloodbath of fighting, the like of which has never been forgotten by Australia or New Zealand.

I would like to share this video ... a really wonderful Anzac Day message from our pastor of our church.
He shared it online for our Wednesday night bible study. 
I pray it will bless your heart as it did mine. 
(Link here also)

Background to ANZAC Day is shared, as well as a good biblical perspective for us today. 
The spiritual battle of life today which we must fight truly, as our Saviour did before us. 
He gave His all for us all.
This so uplifted my friend and I as we listened to it on Wednesday night, twas over the phone and she listened as I played it on YouTube.. 
So wonderful and uplifting! Blessed indeed!
I decided to make this poppy card in memory of all who gave for their country.

If you want the recipe pop over to my crafty blog here. 
I often think of some in our family who gave the ultimate sacrifice, and wonder how many knew the LORD of glory? 
I know from one family member, that the Bible has more meaning on the battle field than times of peace. 
Gods presence is meaningful in peace, when we know and love Him - but how much more if we might lose our life at any moment!
And too, I think upon this verse in John 15:13. 
"Greater love hath no man than this, than he lay down his life for his friend."

In WW1 Australia and New Zealand, two small emerging nations, lost 80,00 men and had over 200,00 casualties, a total of 280,000 lives taken or never to be the same again.
So many families decimated by it all.

That's why we say together:

"In the morning,

And at the going down of the sun,

We will remember them.

Lest we forget."

A special prayer today, for all who today serve in the armed forces in every nation, to come to a saving, keeping knowledge of our LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ. 
Also praying for all who are fighting a different war, the medical war against COVID-19, may the LORD bless all caring hands, save eternally their souls, and those for whom they care. 
And thank you LORD,  for the freedom we have in our nation, to love and worship bought at such a cost. 

Hymn here if not showing.

Thank YOU, Lord Jesus,  too for giving Your life,  so we might live by faith in You. Amen.
Prayer  hugs, 🙏🤗❤
Shaz in Oz.x 

PS . If you haven’t I'd love it you to join as a wonderful encourager of this blog ...  link HERE.  Thank YOU to those who have done so already. It really encourages me to keep on. 😊
If you'd like these posts in your inbox, you can add your email to email link option on side bar. If you're on a mobile device on which there is no sidebar, then scroll down and select "View Web Version" at very bottom of post. This will bring up sidebar and "follow by email" link. Thank YOU

Resurrection Day - How Much God Loves Us!

Well, in some ways today, Resurrection Day, 2020 of Easter 2020 is definitely different from many others.

We’re all mostly at home  for a start (unless in essential work, and thanks if you are!). 

However the Reality, the Hope, the Joy of Resurrection Day is definitely NOT  diminished as a consequence of current events.

In fact the present  pandemic, COVID-19, means the Victory by Christ over death in an empty tomb is even more important, wonderful!

More powerful!

For if we are sick, or near, dear ones are, or perhaps some even die

- by faith in Christ we have this Resurrection Hope!

So just HOW much does God love you, me, the whole world?
This thought was triggered by this FaceBook post.

I thought it most apt for this celebration of the Resurrection Day.

So much LOVE!
... could we do as the Father God has done, I wonder?

Could we sacrifice our only son? 

For the good of others?

And yet, in part some have.  
Abraham was ready to sacrifice Isaac, his only son, at God's command, as he believed the Lord would raise him up (see story here). Many mother’s have sent their sons off to war, knowing they may never see them again this side of the grave.

But you see that is the key.

This side of the grave. 

Because of Christ’s Resurrection, we by faith may have the hope of eternal resurrection! 
By simple faith in Lord Jesus. 

This simple faith is of course the sticking point for our hope of eternity  - which I will deal with below..

Let’s for now walk with those grieving women that first day of the week after Jesus’ death. 
We may know this story but it’s always a joy to revisit it. I always learn something new!

Matthew 28:1-10
In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. 
Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

NEW! Wonderful, every time I read it!
Firstly the earthquake to roll the stone away! 
Another miracle - an earthquake to roll a huge stone. 
Jesus death had a 3 hour eclipse, all encompassing darkness when God, the Father, turned His back on His only Son. 
Jesus had all of our sin laid upon Him! He hung upon the cross in agony, all alone, bearing the sins of the world, cut off from His Father.  
My sin, the horrific wickedness of all mankind.. all was laid on our perfect, loving Saviour. 
Immeasurable love!

As I read anew, I see the awe, fear, wonder then joy these dear women must have felt in greeting their risen Lord. 
Last time they had seen Him - He was more marred than any man, dead after a cruel, tortuous death upon a Roman cross. 

Now He was very much alive!
And Jesus words to the women are very much the words He would say to all of us here in 2020!
1. Be NOT afraid
2. Go tell.. (of Him)

The whole pivotal point for any of us, this Resurrection Day 2020 is:
 ARE we missing heaven by 15 inches (40cm)?

Or the distance from my head to my heart.

I may know in my head that Jesus died for my sins, for all my lies, deceit, anger, etc. However unless this is believed upon in my heart, unless it is personal and mine, I do not have the gift  of eternal life. 
I have not received it. It's as if Jesus died in vain for me, because I've not believed in Him.
*****
When I was 12 years old down at the beach where I now walk, I prayed with my sister's teacher. Admitting simply that I was a sinner, thanking Jesus for dying for my sin upon the cross, and then I asking  Him to save me from my sin and be my Saviour. 
I remember singing and singing afterwards walking along the beach ..   because I was so happy that the angels in heaven were rejoicing over one little lost sheep, who was now found!
(see Luke 15)
Joy unspeakable!
An excellent video is here with two amazing stories of lives Christ transformed!
(It's a short Billy Graham video, old & new footage, simply titled "the Cross") 

I'd like to share this hymn, which like many I have come to love!
What beautiful words!
In Christ Alone!

(link here too)
As we walk through each day, let us live in the light of the Resurrection morning.. 
That the joy may be there in spite of our circumstances. 
It matters not where our Lord takes us in our day, but whether our Risen Lord walks with us!

If we belong to Jesus, He said: "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee."
May this bless your heart, dear ones. These posts are often a real struggle to write, but I am always blessed by them. 
I pray you are also. 
"He must increase, 
I must decrease". 
John 3:30

Lord bless and keep you and all those whom you love safe on His care,  
prayer hugs, 
Shaz in Oz. X 🙏🤗

PS . If you haven’t I'd love it you to join as a wonderful encourager of this blog ...  link HERE.  Thank YOU to those who have done so already. It really encourages me to keep on. 😊
If you'd like these posts in your inbox, you can add your email to email link option on side bar. If you're on a mobile device on which there is no sidebar, then scroll down and select "View Web Version" at very bottom of post. This will bring up sidebar and "follow by email" link. Thank YOU

In the Darkness a Light Shineth - Good Friday

Well, this year of 2020 will definitely go down in history, as different!
 A Passover where Jews do not share it with all their family.
 And Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday where we are all at home watching live-stream services. 
However the truth we celebrate is constant and unchanged for all of eternity!!
Heaven and earth will pass away, and yet what Christ wrought on the cross that day on the hill of Golgotha almost 2,000 years ago will NEVER change.
When Christ cried out “IT IS FINISHED” Salvation was bought for all mankind. 
As I thought upon that most dreadful day in history thus far...
when the Son of God, 
the LORD Jesus Christ, the King of Glory 
was rejected of His own people - as they cried "Crucify Him!"..
These verses came to mind.
One is a prophecy written 800 years by Isaiah before Christ’s coming.

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. Isaiah 9:2 

The other is perfected in Christ’s first coming as Saviour of all mankind.

And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. John 1:5

Today we may feel in as much darkness as they did back in 33AD approx. They were under strict Roman rule, we are under strict rule as a result of another dilemma, a pandemic.

However there is a greater pandemic, the curse of sin, which Christ cured that day upon the cross, when the True Light of the World defeated the powers of darkness. 
Satan thought he had a great victory when Christ was crucified instead of Barrabas (see passage in Luke here). 

However the victory Satan thought he had won was short lived... as he was to see a few days later.

We need a vaccine to defeat COVID-19, but Christ by His sacrifice provided a vaccine or more truly a way of escape from the eternal punishment of sin, with the gift of eternal life by faith in Him. 

That is far far better than any human vaccine - for it is perfect and eternal!

This verse says that the light shines in the darkness and the darkness comprends it not.

As it was in 1st century AD so it is in 2020. 

God is speaking loudly and clearly - but oh sadly, so many do not hear.
Do not comprehend...

At the crucifixion of Jesus there was darkness for three hours from noon (Jewish time = sixth hour) to 3pm (9th hour). 

A total eclipse it is recorded by historians then.

I wonder what their thoughts were at such a time?
I’m sure fear filled many a heart, and awe. 
Luke 23:33-49
And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. 
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. 
And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,
 And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.
 And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. 
But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 
And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. 
And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 
 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. 
And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. 
And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. 
And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.
And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned. 
And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.

Yes, I am certain the same mixed feelings of grief, sorrow,  despair and fear fill many hearts today over current events, especially those who do not know the Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us pray for these dear folk that they might see the true light.
Let us be found faithful being that true light for Jesus. For He promised,  He will never leave us nor forsake us.

May we never forget the great cost our salvation on that day at Calvary. Our Saviour whose face was more marred than any man (Is.52:14).
Our sin.. He bore it for you and for me. 

Hallelujah! What a Saviour! (Link here also)
This is another hymn by Philip Bliss (short biography here).
Lord bless you all as we meditate upon this, AND rejoice in so great salvation!
Loving prayers, dear ones,
Shaz in Oz.x 🙏🤗

PS . If you haven’t I'd love it you to join as a wonderful encourager of this blog ...  link HERE.  Thank YOU to those who have done so already. It really encourages me to keep on. 😊
If you'd like these posts in your inbox, you can add your email to email link option on side bar. If you're on a mobile device on which there is no sidebar, then scroll down and select "View Web Version" at very bottom of post. This will bring up sidebar and "follow by email" link. Thank YOU