He Is Near

He Is Near

“The Lord is at hand”

Philippians 4:5

There are times in the Christian walk when the Lord seems far away. The dew of His conscious presence no longer saturates the contemplations of our heart. The clouds of unbelief hide the Son from us and we feel all alone.

God, however, clearly tells us in His Word that He is ever present. Because He is at hand we know He is near. He is looking on. He could come at any moment and take us home with Him in heaven.

We also know that He could change our present circumstances if He willed. For them to remain means He has a purpose in our difficulties. There is a greater good to be realized beyond our immediate deliverance.

Perhaps you are expending much energy grappling with why you are facing something today. Know that the Lord is at hand. His hand is not shortened that it cannot save and His ear is not heavy that it cannot hear. Accept where you are and trust God to guide you from here. Let patience have her perfect work.

He is near when He seems so far,

Our blessed Saviour knows where you are.

With nail-pierced hands to hold and to guide,

The tempted and touched will stand by your side.

–Tim Cruse

Related Resource: He is Near framed print for Shining Light Inspirations

Treasures of Truth

Treasures of Truth

“I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil”
Psalm 119:162

As the spoils of battle go to the victor, so the treasures of truth go to those who prevail upon the flesh by appropriating the powerful armaments found in God’s book of triumph. Proverbs 6:22,23 speaks of the bounty of hearing God’s Word outwardly and writing it upon the tablets of our hearts inwardly:

“When thou goest, it shall lead thee, when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. For the commandment is a lamp; and the law a light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:”

Those discovering God’s will for their lives are in His Word daily. Those whose testimonies and opportunities are preserved of God are in His Word daily. Those enjoying communion with God are in His Word daily. The headlights of Bible promises and the guardrails of Bible commandments keep us on the highway of abundant life in Christ (Proverbs 13:6). Declare war upon your fleshly lusts. Get into God’s Word and realize the spoils of the victorious Spirit-filled life!

–Tim Cruse

While There Is Hope

While There Is Hope

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and

when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

Proverbs 22:6

The following poem was sent to my wife and I by a dear man of God, Dr. J. R. Faulkner, on the occasion of our tenth wedding anniversary in 1997.

I took a piece of plastic clay

and idly fashioned it one day,

and as my fingers pressed it still

it moved and yielded to my will.

I came again when day was past,

the bit of clay was hard at last.

The form I gave it, still it bore,

and I could change that form no more.

My wife and I took five pieces of living clay,

and gently formed them day by day,

and molded with our power and art

these young boys soft and yielding hearts.

We come now when years are gone.

It is five men we look upon.

And they that early impress bear,

we thank the Lord we took time to care.

May God by His Spirit speak to each of us who have influence in the lives of precious children. Remember, the way for your influence to live after you die is to die to self while you live.

–Tim Cruse