HELP

Religion should cover all experience, finding expression in prayer or praise as the occasion may demand. We have a God for all seasons. Both in periods of suffering and trouble, and in times of joy, prayer and praise alike acknowledge that He is sufficient. -- J. Alec Motyer.

Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise If any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray....  The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and affective (James 5:13-14).

 A hymn to read, sing, play, hum, or whistle to the glory of God: Our  God, Our Help in Ages Past.

Psalm 90, Isaac Watts, 1719.

JOY UNDER DURESS

Take a saint, and put him into any condition, and he knows how to rejoice in the Lord. ---- Walter Craddock

For the sake of Christ, then, "I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong (II Corinthians 12:10)

 ...for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers... (I Thessalonians 1:6).

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds; for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness (James 1:6).

But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed (I Peter 4:13).

 

A hymn to read, sing, hum, or whistle, to the glory of God: Be Still My Soul, (Katherina von Schlegel, 1752).

DO

Doers of the Word are the best hearers. --- Thomas Watson.

 

Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. (James 1:22)

 

A hymn to read, sing, hum, or whistle to God's glory: Break Thou the Bread of Life, Mary A. Lathbury, 1877.

Wisdom

The wisdom that guides believers to heaven is found in God's answers to believing, undoubting prayer. ---- Alec Motyer.

 

Wisdom from God: Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. ...If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously unto all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting... (James 1:2-6a).

 

A hymn to read, sing, hum, or whistle, to the glory of God:

What a Friend We Have in Jesus. 

"What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God  in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer" (Joseph Scriven, ca. 1855).

 

Prayer

Prayer is the rope up in the belfry; we pull it, and it rings the bell up in heaven. ---- Christmas Evans

The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working (James 5:16b, ESV). 

A hymn to read, sing, hum, or whistle to the glory of God: Sweet Hour of Prayer.  "Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer, thy wings shall my petition bear to Him, whose truth and faithfulness engage the waiting soul to bless: and since He bids me seek His face, believe His Word, and trust His grace, I'll cast on Him my ev - 'ry care, and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer (stanza 3). 

Trust in God

Good morning!

God never promises us an easy time, only a safe arrival (Anon). 

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him (James 1:12). 

A hymn to read, sing, hum, or whistle to the glory of God: GUIDE ME, O THOU GREAT JEHOVAH (Trinity Hymnal, 598).

Worldliness

Good morning!

Worldliness. Worldliness and Christianity are two such ends as never meet. Nehemiah Rogers.

You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God(James 4:4,9). 

A hymn to read, sing, whistle or hum to the glory of God: TAKE TIME TO BE HOLY. 

Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.
Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.

Faithfulness

Good morning!

God is always like Himself. ---- John Calvin

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning (James 1:17; ).

For I am the LORD, I do not change; therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob (Malachi 3:6).

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A hymn to be read or sung aloud to the glory of God: GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS