Simple Faith Brings Strength and Success and a Song

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[Janet Easson Martin]

This ministered to me today. It gave me the needed reminder to trust & praise God’s goodness in the barren looking spots. He is always soooo good. From my kindle version of “Dear Jesus” by Sarah Young


Dear Jesus,
Sometimes I find it easy to rejoice and be glad, but this is not one of those times. Today I feel as if I’m climbing uphill on a barren mountain, with bitter winds whipping around me. I know in my mind that You are with me, yet I feel very much alone. This is one of those days when rejoicing seems unattainable. Please help me find all that You have for me in this day.

Beloved,
come to Me with all your neediness. Do not despise yourself for feeling joyless. Apart from Me your resources are ever so limited, and adverse circumstances only highlight that insufficiency. Your greatest need is to reconnect with Me at a deep level. You can cry out to Me, “Help me, Jesus!” Then, wait patiently in My Presence. If you are able, sing praise songs to Me. Your weariness will eventually give way to new strength as you trustingly wait upon Me. With My help you can find precious pleasures I have scattered alongside your path. Moreover, as you persevere in climbing this challenging trail with Me, you reap the benefits of tough training: You discover it is possible to be sorrowful, yet always rejoicing.

This is the day the LORD has made;
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24 NKJV

“I am the vine; you are the branches.
If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit;
apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15:5

Though youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly,
Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength;
they will mount up with wings like eagles,
they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.
Isaiah 40:30–31 NASB



Dear Jesus by Sarah Young
https://www.amazon.com/Dear-Jesus-Seeking-Light-Your/dp/140410495X/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=1I93CL7QLXFSD&keywords=dear+jesus+devotional&qid=1696205848&sprefix=dear+jesus+%2Caps%2C91&sr=8-1

[Janet Easson Martin]

The remaining six stanzas of this very famous song are also based on the truth of God‘s Word. Many of us are at the stage of being much closer to our heavenly home. We can rest upon our invisible future of receiving our new indestructible bodies to envelope the everlasting spirit of Christ that dwells within us today. That is also very good news to those of us feeling the wearing out of our frames.

Circumstances may get worse, but our reward in trusting him only gets better, and dwelling in His Presence is better than a-n-y-t-h-i-n-g we could ever want. It won’t be long at all until we reach the unseen side. May God bless us to embrace his grace, to live what little life we have left by faith; as we are encouraged by the remaining words of this historic song.

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils, and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my Shield and Portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun.


-From John Newton’s Song Amazing Grace

[Janet Easson Martin]

This seems to be a Spirit-led song. Be moved, and uplifted.




Let God - Lara Maigue - Lyrics

https://youtu.be/oQpPyMTG25Y?si=HaD4eyN2vSsUyE0i

[Janet Easson Martin]

Hallelujah Anyway - Charly Beathard (Official Music Video)

https://youtu.be/wY1G-9IgMEw?si=lAzPtnAH8NEq-wG1

[Janet Easson Martin]

…he persevered because
he saw him who is invisible.

Hebrews 11:27

[Janet Easson Martin]

Giving thanks can change us from victims to victors.


Happy Thanksgiving!!!

[Janet Easson Martin]

What was shared here from the 12:30 mark on not giving up on believing God’s promises influenced my thinking today. I really like how Lisa Harper explains the drama and excitement of the scriptures. She is so very refreshing among visible Christian leaders today. Max Lucado has called her the tour guide of the Bible. What she shares here brought me full circle today to put my full faith in God fulfilling something he illuminated to me this past week that I had sadly let go. Now I gladly wait in joyful hope for God to do it in his time.

The LORD your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.

Zephaniah 3:17

Believing God’s Promises Despite Hard Circumstances
 - Lisa Harper

Focus on the Family

https://youtu.be/BjPowOudBbs?si=7gshLy-pux0SnHcK

[Janet Easson Martin]

After spending extended time in prayer praising, thanking and making our requests known at a special prayer week at our church we closed with this song. I think tasting the sweetness of extended fellowship with Jesus alone and privately for each of us (for more than we may normally pray at a given time) made it all the more moving to sing this song from our hearts.


Christy Nockels - Let It Be Jesus (Live/Lyrics And Chords)

https://youtu.be/iENRxiSJ6jY?si=zHcjtEHLw6E9uRNY

[Janet Easson Martin]

When we’re persuaded to think, “Once I have this in order,” or “when this project is done,” or “when this mess is cleared up;” THEN, I can enjoy tranquility.” For a moment, yes; but something else will soon take its place since we live in an imperfect world. Why are we SO tempted to believe our circumstances are within our control? Why do we so perpetually chase perfect surroundings? Perhaps because we are duped into thinking they bring us in inner peace & joy.

The very encouraging news in the many disappointments of imperfection in this life is hidden in communing with a person -One who is Perfect. Worshipping his “wonderfulness”. His goodness. His holiness. His abounding love toward us. His careful & timely planning in our lives. His deliverance. Contemplating His precious promises. Recalling His Works in our lives. Taking Our Anxieties to Him. Glorying in His Creation. Trusting His Word.

That very comforting truth is earth-shattering.

…HE HIMSELF IS OUR PEACE …

Ephesians 2:14


This song so easily takes my soul to that higher place
above so many earthly imperfections:


Holy Forever - Sung by Cece Winans - (official lyric video)

https://youtu.be/jMoLC58LKF0?si=R4WL0xCOBRZStRk_

[Janet Easson Martin]

The true story of the Smallbone Family (more well-known as parents and siblings of Rebecca St. James) on the big screen, and especially the influence of the mother’s faith wasn’t simply entertainment. “Unsung Hero” was bravely honest about the struggles families can suffer and how they can face them together actively leaning on their faith, becoming closer and stronger together. It genuinely offers such hope in a sometimes seemingly hopeless world. In fact, I thought I read the IMBD review recently which said something like, ‘A movie every family should see.’ But, it seems that phrase has been taken down. This movie’s message could impact a culture who has moved away from going to and depending on God.

“Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you;
He will never let the righteous be shaken.”

Psalm 55:22

I wish I was better at the simple act of sincere prayer as serious needs arise, but tears well up as I think of when our family has gathered to cast our weighty burdens onto Jesus. Sometimes answers came soon after. Other times they arrived later or have yet to be answered. Either way, the peace and relief felt when seeking God’s help together truly giving over heavy problems is a sweetness deep down in the soul. A calm security.

Watching different interviews of several members of the Smallbone family more recently is encouraging in that their faith seems very real.


Here are a couple links about “Unsung Hero”:

Early Reactions to Unsung Hero
https://youtube.com/shorts/Y8MpVxNeM4U?si=VwSOikV0OA-OgmKi

Unsung Hero Final Trailor (2024)
https://youtu.be/UHyrHRNX9Rk?si=bO5m3d9ksXrKLS43

[Janet Easson Martin]

The NIV Bible I often read from has this statement at the end of it’s introduction to the Book of Hebrews which helps to focus on what is crucial. I have personalized it:

I MUST PERSEVERE IN MY FAITH
BECAUSE JESUS IS ALL I NEED.