Jesus love me, this I know! :)

I would just like to share with you something that put an impression on my heart and challenged me as well. This post is a bit long, but I think that it is worth the time to read through it all. Feel free to share your thoughts as well!

Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.

Psalm 73:25-27

Anna Bartlett Warner's mother died soon after she was born.  The Warner family lived on Constitution Island, in the Hudson Bat just opposite the West Point Military Academy. The Warners owned the entire island, making their home in a Revolutionary War-era farmhouse. While the sisters did not earn much money from their many books, they did manage to spend most winters in New York City, where they had friends among the literary set. The family had a love of the things of God and decided to reach out to the cadets at the military academy. So, each Sunday several cadets would row in boats across the Bay to have lunch in the Warner home. After some time, they decided that they should conduct Bible studies with the cadets in their home. So, cadets took turns coming into their home for a meal and a study of the scripture. Even after the passing of their father, the daughters, Susan and Anna held Bible studies with the cadets in their home. This continued until Anna’s death at the age of 95 in 1950. Many of these cadets came to know the Lord Jesus as their personal Saviors and continued to serve in the United States Armed Forces- many becoming some of the highest ranking generals and commanders of the time.

In 1860, Anna Warner wrote the song that is known to so many around the world today… a song that has been translated into most languages and sung around the world… “Jesus loves me.”

Jesus loves me! this I know,
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong;
they are weak but He is strong.

Chorus: Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.

Jesus loves me! loves me still,
'tho I'm very weak and ill,
that I might from sin be free,
bled and died upon the tree.

Jesus loves me! He who died
heaven's gate to open wide;
He will wash away my sin,
let His little child come in.

Jesus loves me! He will stay
close beside me all the way.
Thou hast bled and died for me,
I will henceforth live for Thee.
Chorus in Spanish: Sí, Cristo me ama,

Sí, Cristo me ama,

Sí, Cristo me ama,

La Biblia dice así.

German: Ja Jesus liebt mich,

Ja Jesus liebt mich,

Ja Jesus liebt mich,

Der Bible mir es sagt.

Chinese: Choo Yea Su ai wo,

Choo Yea Su ai wo,

Choo Yea Su ai wo,

Yeo Sern Su kau soo wo.

Bemba (African): Yesu antemwa,

Cine antemwa,

Yesus antemwa,

Baibo anjebe fi.

French: Oui, Jesus m'aime

Oui, Jesus m'aime

Oui, Jesus m'aime

La Bible m'a dit.

Russian: Lyoo-beet Ee-ee-soos.

Lyoo-beet Ee-ee-soos.

Lyoo-beet Ee-ee-soos.

E-to tvyer-do snah-yoo yah.

Swahili: Yesu anipenda

Yesu anipenda

Yesu anipenda

Neno lake lasema

and many other languages as well!

Anna Warner lived her life serving the One true God- the God she loved and trusted. Her service has impacted and touched the lives of millions around the world, since the song was published in 1860.

As for us: What have we done to serve the One- the Son of God gave his life for us. As is quoted of C.T. Studd, “If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.” Have I surrendered my life to God to serve Him in whatever manner he has placed me in? Am I doing all that I can to spread the gospel of Christ? May this challenge you as it did me. I know that I haven’t done my best- but may I strive to serve the God of heaven and of earth.

 

Have a good week in your service for Him,

Amanda :)

His love

I was just enjoying this song on the radio today. So often we marvel at God's love for us- but truly His love is one that doesn't change based on what we have (or haven't done) or on who we are. He has a love fr us at all time- a God of second chances, a God of REAL love, a God that loves us for us.

Enjoy the lyrics and thank God for His love for you.

Who will love me for me?
Not for what I have done or what I will become
Who will love me for me?
‘Cause nobody has shown me what love
What love really means, what love really means

...
I will love you for you
Not for what you have done or what you will become
I will love you for you
I will give you the love, the love that you never knew

A Vessel of Mercy

This is a song I have been enjoying of late.

Lord I want to be all you want to be

Your service is my desire. 

I so want to know you, and in your love grow with heavenly

power.

I yield my life to you; I’m willing to be used
Where ever you bid me I’ll go

So Lord Jesus daily I pray that you’ll break me that your love I might show

Fill me, with love and compassion and fashion. 
My heart to be a vessel worthy of you.

Am I a willing vessel for the service of God? Am I half heartedly serving Him or have I fully surrendered to Him to serve Him and do all things to glorify Him?'

Have a good day! :)

For I am weak...

My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. 

2 Corinthians 12:9

This verse has come before me many times in the last couple of weeks, so I thought I'd share what has given me help in my times of weakness. 

Our God is a living God and He has an interest in each one of our lives. He is a God that knows all and preserves those who seek to know Him. God brings each one of us into situations where we feel our weakness so keenly, and yet, the Bible says that in even in those times of weakness, we need to turn our eyes and our focus on Him. God doesn't always respond right away, or in the way we want, but He will answer, in His time. But through it all, God's power is shown most effectively in our weaknesses. 

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10

Then he said unto them, Go your way...:for this is day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

If you seek Him- to know Him and to draw closer to Him, then He will be shown even brighter through your weakness and your trials.  

We often become discouraged at our inability to produce results, but that doesn't stop the work of God. Do all for the glory of God, that He may be honored. God knows our situations, and He has a personal care for each one of us. He will be your help and guide and will be shown mighty in our times of weakness if we seek to give our lives to Him, no matter the visual results. 

Through it all that I might serve Him in whatever capacity He has placed me in

for the time: Will I serve Him through it all and be a willing channel for Him?

Channels only, blessed Master, 

But with all Thy wondrous power

Flowing through us, Thou canst use us

Every day and every hour. 

Smile

I was challenged this week with the discovery of a snippet of a book, Twenty Secrets of Self-Acceptance.

The question presented was "Should I smile if I am NOT happy?"

The response: "Yes. A smiles does not always mean, 'I'm happy.' It may be saying, 'I agree with you,' 'I'm pleased to see you,' or 'I want to encourage you.' Those who feel that it is hypocritical to smile if they are not happy have not really considered the ministry of a smile or the alternative to not smiling. A sad countenance produces self-centeredness by forcing others to focus on me, wondering why I am not able to smile."

I just found this challenging to myself and thought I would share it with you.

“Smile though your heart is breaking, Smile even though it's aching

When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by If you smile.

In times of pain and sorrow, Smile, and maybe tomorrow

The sun will come shining through, For you, If you just Smile.”

“What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure; but, scattered along life's pathway, the good they do is inconceivable.” 

–Anonymous 

Enjoy the goodness of God this Monday! Have a good labor day! :)

A glad heart makes a cheerful face (Proverbs 15:13) :)

God will go before me

I am thankful for God'd promise that he will guide me and preserve me. In life, He will always be with me and will even go before me. 

The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies.

Psalm 59:10

I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:

Isiah 45:2

“And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.” 

Deut 31:8

Take a couple of minutes to listen to "God will go before me" sung by Legacy Five. The song's lyrics have been in my head many a day as I have pulled into the university parking lot and as the days have been before me. Enjoy!

Have a good labor day weekend! :)