The Potter

                               “But now, O Lord, thou art our father: we are the clay, 

                      and thou our potter,  and we all are the work of Thine hand"  

                                                                  Isaiah 64:8

     

                          "Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump

                        to make one vessel unto honour, and another to dishonour?

              What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known

            endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 

        And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy,

                which he had afore prepared unto glory, Even us, whom he hath called, 

                                         not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?"

    Romans 9:21-24

The Potter

An old man this potter yet truly content,

In long hours of labour his days have been spent

But his work is his joy, and each vessel designed

Follows the pattern which he has in mind.

The choice of the item is totally His,

He decides the purpose of each, so it is

A cup or a bowl, whether fancy or plain,

If not to his liking he makes it again.

Until it is perfect it just will not do,

So he breaks down the clay, beginning anew.

When conformed to his pattern the glaze is applied,

It is fired then and finished, set on one side

Soon to work it must go, and it certainly will

Render good service,  it’s task shall fulfill.

“Lord, Thou art our Potter, Thy people the clay,

Whom Thou dost fashion in Thine own sovereign way”

We are as raw clay in our Lord’s skillful hands,

He brings to perfection His own perfect plans.

“Make us and mold us dear Master we ask,

To accomplish by grace our appointed task

Vessels of mercy,  fit would we be

To bring honour and glory our Saviour to Thee.

Yet now so imperfect, one day we shall be

Conformed to Thy likeness when Thy dear Face we see”

                                                                               S.Hirst

    An illustration in a book about craftsmen in days gone by caused this poem to be written,

The look of loving concentration on the potters face made one think that he had 

pride and joy in his work and was seeking do his best with the material he was working with.

The illustrations shown above are ai generated art

Faithful Pastors needed!

In Ezekiel 34:2 we read about men who were supposed to be

caring for and feeding the Lord's precious flock, but they did not care

about the sheep and were only interested in making a good living for

themselves.  This still happens of course, and often it is no easy matter

to find a Church where God's Word of truth and life is faithfully taught, and we

need to pray that God will raise up Pastors and Church leaders who will truly

care for His people, and we all have our part in caring for one another. 

So much false teaching abounds in every age, and this is certainly so today, when

everything has to be NEW and MODERN, but the Lord Jesus is THE TRUTH, and 

His Holy Word unchanged, unchanging for ever.

"For ever, O LORD, Thy word is settled in heaven"

 Psalm 119:89

 “ And I will give you pastors according to mine heart,
which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.   

  
Jeremiah 3:15 

When brightly burns the lamp of truth
It makes God’s people glad.
If dim it grows, their hearts grieve sore,
Each countenance is sad.
Lost sinners then must wander on,
With none their souls to guide;
Who cold, careless hearts will stir
If truth is cast aside?
The sheep and lambs remain unfed,
For pastures green they sigh,
But where are all the shepherds true
With wisdom from on high?
“Lord raise up such for Thou alone
Can faithful Pastors give,
That all the flock may grow in grace,
And dying sinners live”

S. Hirst

"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, 
and preach the gospel to every creature"

Mark 16:15

The word "truth" comes from the Old English word trīewth, 

which means faithfulness or constancy

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, 

and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, 

for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

That the man of God may be perfect,

 throughly furnished unto all good works"

2 Timothy 3:16

"The words of the LORD are pure words: 

as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. 

Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them 

from this generation for ever."

Psalm 12:6-7

Our time in this world is our preparation time for eternity,

and eternity is forever!

Let's use it wisely and well by God's grace! 

We may not be Pastors, but all true believers 

have a part in the ministry of sharing the Gospel with others.

Beautiful tracts are available completely free of charge 

HERE (AVAILABLE IN MANY LANGUAGES)

Some titles are being reprinted and may be unavailable, but should be

available very soon.

MANY MORE HELPFUL TRACTS AND BOOKLETS AVAILABLE HERE

Hand out tracts in the street, leave them in shops, 

in the library, anywhere you can. Taking items to a charity shop, 

be sure to put gospel tracts in handbags or pockets of jackets etc. 

Sow the good seed, water it with prayer 

and one day you will rejoice to see the harvest in eternity!

"He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; 

and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully"

2 Corinthians 9:6

“He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, 

shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”

Psalm 126:6

Do you have friends in other countries, send them tracts and booklets

through this website https://www.revivalmovement.org/literature

As this blog post was being prepared the terrible

 fires broke out in California, and it was such a blessing

 to find a really biblical sermon on the subject by a truly faithful Pastor 

Why Does God Allow Natural Disasters? (L.A. Fires)

The Bible, the Word of God

Author unknown.

"The Bible reveals the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true and its decisions are immutable.

Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.

It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the Christian's charter. Here Paradise is gained, Heaven opened, and hell disclosed.

Christ is its grand object, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It shall fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure"

It is given you in life, will be opened in the judgment and be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, promises the highest reward for labor, and condemns all who trifle with its sacred contents"

Prayer at the start of a New Year

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; 

and lean not unto thine own understanding. 

In all thy ways acknowledge him, 

and he shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 3:5

                             Prayer at the start of a New Year

 “Dear Lord may we never stray,

But heed Thy Word from day to day.

Ever eager more to learn,

That we may Thy will discern.

Light to safely show the way,

Instructing how to live and pray.

An Anchor in the storms of life,

A comfort true in times of strife,

Truth to keep us lest we wander,

Precious things on which to ponder.

Revelation sweet and clear

Bringing our Saviour Jesus near.

Showing us the wrong within,

Teaching us to hate all sin,

Showing us Christ the Lamb was slain

Whose blood cleanses every stain.

True joy to cheer the saddest heart

And courage to the faint impart.

Reading prayerfully each day,

As we travel on life’s way.

Among Thy faithful people found,

We’ll grow in grace, in love abound.

Safe dear Father in Thy care

Confidently we enter another year"

S Hirst 

"Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD,

and whose hope the LORD is. 

For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, 

and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, 

and shall not see when heat cometh, 

but her leaf shall be green; 

and shall not be careful in the year of drought, 

neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

 

Jeremiah 17:8 

“Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: 

and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, 

and a book of remembrance was written before him 

for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.”

Macachi 3:16

There's a song in my Heart for the Lord is my God,

My Saviour, my joy day and night,

So precious and dear, I never need fear,

For He's turned my darkness to light!

Hallelujah, hallelujah, through heaven and earth

The song of the ransomed shall ring,

For those who are washed in the blood of the Lamb

Forever His praises shall sing.

S Hirst

“Family prayer is the greatest deterrent to sin, 

and hence the most beneficent provider of joy and happiness. 

The old saying is yet true: 

‘The family that prays together stays together.’”

Thomas S. Monson

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

Psalm 119:115

Trusting God's Word you'll be safely led,

As you walk with Jesus through the year ahead!

Comfort in suffering

 

Comfort in Suffering

We often know of dear ones who are ill and in much pain,

And long so much to see them all completely well again

In the past, or even now we know trials and suffering too,

And understand how hard it is to bravely battle through.

Life is so busy, and each day seems difficult and long,

It's load is heavy when we are not feeling well and strong.

But what comfort through God’s Word we shall surely find,

As we bring those precious promises of His to mind.

He will not give us more than we are given grace to bear,

No matter what our pain and trials, we’re safe within His care.

Our great High Priest so faithful, knew at Calvary,

The deepest depths of suffering, that we might be set free.

Thus with our pain and sorrow He can truly sympathize,

His ordering of everything is always kind and wise.

His ways though now they seem to us hard to understand,

One day we’ll see that all so lovingly by Him was planned.

When sorrows past and all our tears are wiped away,

And we behold His precious face in the realms of endless day

                                                         S Hirst

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according 

to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by 

the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 

To an inheritance incorruptible, 

and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you

Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation 

ready to be revealed in the last time. 

Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, 

ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:  

That the trial of your faith, 

being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, 

though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour 

and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye

love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, 

ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory”    1 Peter 1:3

(Years ago this little poem was written for a very dear suffering friend )

Prayer for a Suffering Friend

"Dear Lord, a precious child of Thine

Is truly much distressed,

Suffering with dreadful pain,

Which makes it hard to rest.

In this sad trial, so wearying,

Please Lord, yourself reveal,

Refresh her soul, and strengthen faith

Your peace Lord, may she feel.

Lord Jesus, when you walked this earth,

You did our troubles know,

And in this dark and fallen world,

Such sympathy did show.

Exalted now in heaven on high ,

Lord, you art still the same.

With confidence I bring my friend

And call upon your name.

Thus as I bring her Lord do I

With deepest thanks look up,

Thy grace will bring her safely through,

And sweeten the bitter cup."

Cast thy burden upon the  Lord, and he shall sustain you

Psalm 55:22

With Loving sympathy

"My dear one how my heart goes out to you in your dark trial,

I'm longing to be with you, and to help you there a while.

Just put my arms around you, to show I deeply care,

Support you in your weakness, loving sympathy to share.

And though I cannot do this, for I am far away.

I know our God will answer fervent prayer for you each day.

He's promised NOT to leave us. and I know it to be true,

He who gives us grace in death gives grace for living too.

Grace to help you face each day, so full of trials and distress,

Together, we look up to Him and trust His faithfulness.

Whatever pain and suffering that days ahead may bring.

I pray you will know victory, and still His praises sing.

Look for His shining rainbow against the darkening sky

I know He will support you, for He hears our fervent cry.

May He grant you such a vision of His beauty and His love,

Through His precious Holy Word. send comfort from above.

So once again I just commit you to His tender care.

With heart at peace and reassured, I rest, and leave you there.

We look for a sweet meeting, 'midst heaven's of joy and peace,

Where nothing harmful can be found and praises never cease."

Shirley Hirst

"My presence shall go with thee,

and I will give thee rest"

Leaning on this promise

How can one but be blessed,

With quiet and calm assurance,

Resting in God's perfect plans;

Safe now and for ever

In His loving hands” 

Shirley Hirst

“God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death,

 neither sorrow, nor crying,  neither shall there be any more pain:

 for the former things are passed away.”    Revelation 21:4

“God’s providence will not take us 

where His grace will not keep us”