For the Broken Hearted

Living in the Dark Shadows

Gethsemane . . .

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The ultimate triumph at Calvary first took place beneath the gnarled old

olive trees of Gethsemane.

Jesus went to Gethsemane on a number of occasions. It was where He prayed.

And next to the crucifixion itself, this time in Gethsemane was

probably the loneliest and most difficult moment of

Jesus’s earthly life and ministry. There, Jesus underwent stress of cosmic

dimensions, the greatest in the chronicles of the universe.

Have you ever felt extremely lonely? Have you ever felt as though

you were cut off or abandoned by your friends and family?

Or have you ever felt completely misunderstood? If so, then you have a

faint idea of what the Lord Jesus went through when He agonized in Gethsemane.

While Jesus contemplated the horrors of the cross, He asked one favor of His

disciples Peter, James, and John. He said, “My soul is crushed with

grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me” (Mark 14:34 NLT).

Jesus didn’t need an explanation or even a sermon. He was simply asking his disciples

to stay with Him. Jesus, who was God yet human, experienced intense loneliness.

The Bible says of Him, “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for

he faced all the same testing we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly

to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will

find grace to help us when we need it most” (Hebrews 4:15–16 NLT).

We need to remember the words above in our moments of loneliness, when

we feel that our friends and family have let us down—and sometimes,

when we think that even God has let us down. Remember that Jesus has

been there and knows what it’s like. He knows you need Him to stay with you,

and He always will.

Dec. 3, 2022

Paradise is waiting . . .

Dec. 3, 2022

Maintaining Our Joy . . .

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"Maintaining Our Joy"

By Nancy Taylor Tate

Training Our Minds to Look for the Good

Have you ever noticed how our thought life can affect our joy? There is always that which we can give thanks for if we will but look for it. We can train our minds to look for the good, to see the cup half full instead of half empty.

One thing I have been giving thanks for is our new dog sitter. Our former overnight sitter was moving, so we had to find someone new. Finally, we found a beautiful family who could take good care of our little Jethro. It seemed like a good fit, but we knew that being with children and another dog would be an adjustment for him. Yet, we felt the change was good and could be fun, if Jethro could just make the adjustment to a livelier household. We decided to give it a try.

As I explained the situation to our prospective sitter, I could feel their compassion. Then, of all things, Jethro had some stomach problems the day before he went to their home. Again, I felt their compassion and commitment. They wanted Jethro to come! They would take good care of him. How very blessed we felt!

Jethro whimpered as we drove up to their house to drop him off. But was he ever happy when we came to pick him up! He and their dog ran up to greet us like best buds. The children were sad to see him go. Jethro was wagging his tail; he had become a part of a new family!

Each time I think of this, it brings me great joy! Then I thank the Lord again for His faithfulness in helping us find someone right for Jethro, and perfect for us too.

A friend pointed out to me that one of man's first responsibilities was to name the animals. As we try to take good care of Jethro, the feeling of also pleasing the Lord brings even greater joy!

Where Joy Flows From

Scripture tells us that joy is good like medicine: "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones" (Proverbs 17:22).

"...[F]or the joy of the LORD is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10). Or, as the Good News Translation puts it, "...The joy that the LORD gives you will make you strong."

Joy, happiness and contentment flow from knowing the Lord and living in right relationship with Him. Circumstances and material things can be an added blessing, but they are not the source of true inner joy and peace.

Responding to the Goodness of God

We have been singing a song which Toni Bogart-Syvrud wrote in 1976 in response to the goodness of God in her own life, as she reflected on the things God had done. The words of her song come from three Scriptures:

"Oh how great is Thy goodness, which Thou hast laid up for them that fear Thee; which Thou hast wrought for them that trust in Thee before the sons of men!" (Psalm 31:19)

"I will bless the LORD at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together." (Psalm 34:1-3)

"Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee." (Song of Solomon 1:4)

While at home, my husband Allen often sings this song, then inevitably I ask, "Allen, would you sing that again?" Each time, the words and beautiful melody minister! What joy there is as we sing the Scriptures over and over and reflect on the goodness of God!

As we think about the Lord and His abundant goodness, may we too give thanks to Him for all the things He has done in our lives. As His plans and purposes continue to unfold, we can trust the Lord in all that is yet ahead!

How faithful is our God! How abundant is His goodness!

"Oh how great is Thy goodness, which Thou hast laid up for them that fear Thee; which Thou hast wrought for them that trust in Thee before the sons of men!" (Psalm 31:19)

"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him." (1 Corinthians 2:9)

"For whoso findeth Me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD." (Proverbs 8:35)

Poise Your Spirit and Make This Commitment

We can set the poise of our spirits:

We can pray, also making this commitment:

"Draw me, we will run after thee...we will be glad and rejoice in thee..." (Song of Solomon 1:4)

Proclaiming the Goodness of the Lord

With thankful hearts, together, may we proclaim the goodness of God as we set our eyes to see and our hearts to remember those good things He has done. Perhaps, like Jethro, we might whimper when uncertainties loom before us. But, may we press on and find encouragement in the days ahead as we reflect on His goodness!

May we always remember that the Lord is good! His mercy endures forever! And as we do, may His presence ever increase in our midst.

"It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice...and praised the LORD, saying, For He is good; for His mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD." (2 Chronicles 5:13)

Yes, the Lord is good! His mercy endures forever...

By Nancy Taylor Tate
Parousia Ministries
Email: nancy@wadetaylor.org or joanne@wadetaylorpublications.org
Website: www.wadetaylor.org | www.wadetaylorpublications.org

Nancy Taylor Tate serves in Parousia Ministries, carrying the vision passed on from her father, Wade Taylor. In addition, she has established Parousia Ministries House of Prayer, hosts Parousia Ministries gatherings, and travels from time to time to speak and pray with others. Her background as an administrator, a pastor, teacher, and missionary has prepared her for what the Lord is doing today. Nancy's special gift of relating to and loving people stems from her own love for Jesus and His Kingdom. Her spiritual life messages flow into the hearts and spirits of those to whom she ministers. Nancy has an expectation for visitation and carries a prophetic word that speaks into that which the Lord is doing today. For spiritual life teachings and to learn more about the vision of Parousia Ministries House of Prayer, please visit www.wadetaylor.org.

ElijahList Publications
528 Ellsworth St. SW
Albany, OR 97321
www.elijahlist.com
email: info@elijahlist.net
Phone 1-541-926-3250

Dec. 3, 2022

I Am Your Disciple . . .

Dec. 3, 2022

Meditations . . .

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MEDITATIONS ON THE TRUE CHRISTIAN LIFE

By Glenn H. Jackson

______...."This book of the law [the Word of God]shall not depart from [always be in] your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful [take heed] to do according to all that is written in it; for THEN you will make your way prosperous, and THEN you will have success".... Joshua 1:8 NASB

THE REJECTION OF THE CHRIST

[part 1 of 7]

*____THE visitation of Jehovah to His Covenant People cannot be compared to any previous happenings in Israel's history as a nation, for it was unlike anything that they had ever known. He was their Covenant God.

____He had cut that solemn Covenant with Abraham. There is no doubt in my mind but what the Master was ever conscious of this Covenant. Jehovah had taken human form. Not once did He reveal that He was the one who delivered their fathers out of Egypt. They honored Moses more than they did Jehovah.

____They worshipped the law more than they did Jehovah. John 8:58-59: When Jesus said "Before Abraham was born, I am." They took up stones to cast at Him. He startled them. He had come very near to declaring who He really was, but Sense Knowledge men could not grasp it.

____Matthew 22:31-32: "But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead but of the living."

____This is the limit to which the Master could reveal Himself. We, as believers, can look back upon that scene and recognize Him as the God of the Old Covenant, but we have Revelation Knowledge given to us through the Pauline Revelation.

____Philippians 2:5-9 gives you a graphic picture of Jesus in His earth walk. "Have this mind in you which was also in Christ Jesus who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross."

____That is the earth walk of Jehovah.

____I Timothy 3:16: "He who was manifested in the flesh." 2 Corinthians 4:4 shows the condition of Israel. "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn upon them." They were in spiritual darkness, which means Satanic bondage of the mind and spirit. Galatians 4:4 will add to the picture. "But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." I have often wondered what would have happened if Israel's eyes had suddenly been opened.__

http://jtlmin.com

Dec. 3, 2022

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Latest comments

09.09 | 06:52

Thank you for this! You might enjoy my take on the whole 'Christmas' story, not born on Dec 25th etc,
https://tranzmachine.bandcamp.com/track/a-saviour-born

17.03 | 07:11

Praise God! He is so good to all of us!

16.03 | 22:20

I needed to hear this today. Its been sooo very difficult for a long time honestly asked God if I was the toxic one and just didn't realize it so I could repent

12.01 | 04:32

this is so beautiful and such a testimony to the Lord's healing power and sanctification through our suffering. Much of my walk with Christ is similar to yours.