God's Higher Calling Introduction

Dedicated to my beloved Sisters in Christ: Joanna Byerly, Joycelin Byerly, Emily Rogers and Rachel Frederick. And In Loving Memory of Brandi Byerly By Jennifer Byerly There is a Higher Calling The Path is stretched out before me; Oh the faithful, continuous Journey. We are called always to be steadfast; A faithful heart that shall forever last. We are called to be continuously sober; Serious and true, a heart fixed forever. Oh, there is a bitter-sweet higher calling; That only comes from God’s bringing. Oh, who will go up higher? The call comes loud and clear. Oh, who will have a zealous fire, To carry God’s Good News with fear? It’s not an easy pathway to trod, my friend; And yet there are rewards around the bend. But the greatest reward shall forever be, When my Savior’s face I clearly see.

The Written Word

“While the spoken word can travel faster, you can't take it home in your hand. Only the written word can be absorbed wholly at the convenience of the reader.” And on this note I feel that it is time I once again start writing. Over the past 12 years I have often taken up my pen in hand and made an attempt to write several books. I finished exactly two of those books. The rest have been left in a folder on my computer called "books I am working on" ... sad I know. Yet I think it is time that I attempt to finish some of those books if not all of them. I believe that it would help if I type out each book chapter by chapter on my blog. Granted though I love to write, I am not proficient at editing. There will be many mistakes along the way. But if one never tries, one will never finish the task at hand. I will start with the book I started in 2007 called "The Mediocre Christian Life is it really worth living?" The title I'm unsure about... but the idea is what I want to drive across to all my Christian brothers and sisters. In this day and age, we live such self-centered lives that we miss out on the purpose and plan God has for us. The purpose of this book is to remind us of the simple principles that we seem to have forgotten. I hope that my starting this project will be a blessing to all those who read this little insignificant blog. God Bless and remember take heart, my friend.

Proverbs 3:23

"Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble." Are you walking in God's Wisdom? Is the Lord directing your path?

What's Wrong With My Children?

"He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal." ~ John 12:25. If God asked the Question: "What's wrong with my Children?" What do you think His response would be? ... Would it be something like this?... "What's wrong with my Children?" ................................ They love their lives in this world. Maybe if we understood who our Savior is and maybe if we feared him more, we would live purer lives. We as Christians seem to tread on God's grace, because we sin and then we think "Well I'll confess it afterward." We have adapted a confessional way of thinking. Only instead of Hail Marys and Lord's Prayers, we state "Father, Forgive me for such and such." And if perhaps we silently listen, we would hear a still small voice in the back of our hearts whispering "you knew better, yet you did it anyway... you are treading on grace." "What's wrong with my Children?" ................................ Few are willing to give their all for the love of Christ. Christians are satisfied living like the lost forgetting what Christ saved them from. We are too busy living for the things that moths and dust will corrupt! "What's wrong with my Children?" ................................ They are too busy living for self instead of Christ. Even Christians need to surrender their lives back to Christ. Even we as Christians! We need to put our lives back in His hands and depend on Him. Are you living as a Christian so you can save your life here in this world? "What's wrong with my Children?" ................................ They are more worried about others opinions than the Lord's opinion! Are you a living sacrifice? Your plans, ambitions and goals need to die! I wonder if God asks this question when He looks at His Children? I wonder what He sees? If we could just get a glimpse of that vision, what would we change? What would be different? In this world, everything changes with time, yet God never does? So why do we think that the things stated clearly in the Word of God aren't for today? And maybe we don't say this out loud but we live that way. These are just things that the LORD has shown me these last two days. We are not where we need to be! And if we act less and prayed more, Oh what a difference we could make. Too many times, we do things out of duty and we aren't plugged into God's power. We just skate by. I wonder if many of us are just heading to heaven by the skin of our teeth. We are saved through Christ's blood, but we aren't giving anything back to Him for all that He has done. My friend, if we try to save this life we will lose it! "But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:" ~ Matthew 16:20.

Like A River Glorious

When things seem to hard and life has me down. I find the words of this song a great comfort and encouragement. In the darkness of days and in the deepest of waters, I know God's hand is always near and His peace is amazing! So dear friend if you are facing a trial, you think you cannot bear... Remember this... God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think. And I don't know about you but I think of a lot of ways that would make things better. Yet God knows exactly what we need and it is always above what we could even think or imagine. So trust Him! Look up dear friend and take heart! Like a river glorious, is God’s perfect peace, Over all victorious, in its bright increase; Perfect, yet it floweth, fuller every day, Perfect, yet it groweth, deeper all the way. Refrain Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest Finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest. Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand, Never foe can follow, never traitor stand; Not a surge of worry, not a shade of care, Not a blast of hurry touch the spirit there. Refrain Every joy or trial falleth from above, Traced upon our dial by the Sun of Love; We may trust Him fully all for us to do. They who trust Him wholly find Him wholly true. Refrain

“They Come In Threes”

Ever hear the expression, “Troubles come in threes”? I wonder if that is what the disciples were thinking in Matthew 14. Here the setting is set and the plot thinkens. Matthew 14, opens up with John the Baptist being beheaded. Our Savior hears of it and goes out to a dessert place with his disciples. However, the multitude followed them. Jesus’ heart moves with compassion toward them. Can you imagine what our Lord must have felt as he hears of his cousin’s death? The pain he must have carried. And yet he had time to see the multitude’s needs. Jesus asks the Disciples to give the people food in the midst of all the turmoil they were facing. They must have been questioning themselves and wondering if they were going to be beheaded too. The cost of following the LORD at that very moment must have been so evident to them, and the Lord knowing all this points the disciple’s eyes to the multitude. Our Lord then performs the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand. Afterward, Jesus commands his disciples to go across the sea in a ship, while our LORD goes up into a mountain to pray. The disciples are out in the sea rowing when out of nowhere came a mighty storm. The little ship is being tossed in the waves, the wind is blowing against the ship. All hope is lost. Or so it seems. “And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.” Can you almost see their faces, I wonder if their thoughts did ask this question: “What Next?!” I know that’s what I would probably be thinking. Look at Our Savior’s reply. “But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. I want you to see something that the LORD showed me today. 1. The first thing that occurred was John the Baptist was beheaded. This must have left the Disciples feeling unsure and wondering if they and Jesus were next. 2. The second thing that occurred was after they traveled to get away, the people had followed them. And instead of Jesus turning them away, his heart moved with compassion toward them. The Disciples not only must have been tired but they must have been a little wary of people. What was to stop anyone of those people from turning the Disciples and Jesus in? 3. After Jesus feeds the multitude, he sends his Disciples away. Do you think they really wanted to get in that ship? Would you want to get in a ship and row across the sea after you had just lost your friend and been working all day? And on top of all this, a storm comes and then they see a man walking on the water. Here is what I want you to see. The first two things God allowed but the third one He ordained. The third trial was to teach the Disciples to look at Christ and let go of their own reasoning. Yes, sometimes things comes in threes, but all along the way, Christ is staying “It is I; be not afraid.” Look up dear friend when you face a difficulty. Hope in the LORD, He is thy rest!

"Cry Out To Jesus"

"But Unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with Healing In His wings." ~ Mal. 4:2 To everyone who's lost someone they love Long before it was their time You feel like the days you had were not enough when you said goodbye And to all of the people with burdens and pains Keeping you back from your life You believe that there's nothing and there is no one Who can make it right Chorus There is hope for the helpless Rest for the weary Love for the broken heart There is grace and forgiveness Mercy and healing He'll meet you wherever you are Cry out to Jesus, Cry out to Jesus For the marriage that's struggling just to hang on They lost all of their faith and love They've done all they can to make it right again Still it's not enough For the ones who can't break the addictions and chains You try to give up but you come back again Just remember that you're not alone in your shame And your suffering Chorus When your lonely (when you're lonely) And it feels like the whole world is falling on you You just reach out, you just cry out to Jesus Cry to Jesus To the widow who suffers from being alone Wiping the tears from her eyes For the children around the world without a home Say a prayer tonight Chorus