Faithfulness

I was totally unaware that Pastor Byerly would be preaching on faithfulness when I posted yesterday! Hmm......interesting. Anyway, he preached on the characteristics of a faithful man who would be qualifying for the ministry, but these characteristics can be applied to all of us- husbands, wives, parents, children, employees, etc. Here are a few of them:

1. A faithful man gives and keeps his promises.

2. A faithful man is humble.

3. A faithful man is fervent in prayer.

4. A faithful man will guard his flock (speaking of a pastor to his sheep).

These four were the main topics, but under these Pastor brought up faithfulness in regards to puncuality, money and finances, marriage, and the church. The appeal to be unfaithful is strong in our day. We need to look to Christ for faithfulness and follow his example. May we all strive to be faithful men and women in an unfaithful world.

"Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father, there is no shadow of turning with thee;
Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fall not; as thou hast been thou for ever will be.

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest, sun, moon, and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness to Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth , Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and great hope for tomorrow, blessings all mine with ten thousand beside!

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see: All I have needed Thy hand hath provided-Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!"

~Thomas O. Chisholm~

"It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.

~Lamentations 2:22-23~

A Faithful Wife

I happened upon this poem while browsing through a book of poetry compiled in the late 19th Century. It's an inspiration to me, and also something that we do not see much of anymore in our day and age. Enjoy!

"In youth I saw but a maiden fair; and finding beauty I sought no more,
But loved and wedded as youth will dare, and little knew of the prize I bore.
Proud was I 'midst my fellow men, dear to me was my young wife then.

But as life advanced and cares came thick-on every side came pressing round,
Till my wearied heart grew faint and sick-ever her at my side I found,
With words of counsel wise and free; dearer still was she then to me.

Her hair is gray, and her sweet blue eyes, though loving still are no longer bright;
And I list not now for her thoughts so wise; but for stronger ties our hearts unite.
Dear through life has she ever been: dearest now at its close serene."

~Author Unknown~

Sweet Words

"All the way my Saviour leads me-what have I to ask beside?

Can I doubt his tender mercy who through life has been my Guide?

Heavenly peace, divinest comfort, here by faith in him do dwell-

For I know, whatever befalleth me, Jesus doeth all things well."

"All the way my Saviour leads me, cheers each winding path I tread.

Gives me grace for every trial, feeds me with the living Bread.

Though my weary steps may falter, and a thirst my soul may be,

Gushing from the rock before me, lo, a spring of joy I see!"

"All the way my Saviour leads me-O the fulness of his love.

Perfect rest to me is promised in my Father's house above.

When my spirit, clothed immortal, wings its flight to realms of day,

This my song through endless ages: Jesus lead me all the way!"

~Fanny J. Crosby~