HE GOETH ON BEFORE

Please keep Halie in your prayers today as we have our last day of re-scans. The MIBG scan is at 1:00 and is the big one that will reveal if there is any Neuroblastoma in her sweet little body. Pray for wisdom for the doctors as they read the results later today that the scans would be clear and leave no room for doubt. Please pray that the bone scan would be clear with the spot that lit up last month gone and that the MIBG would reveal No Evidence of Disease. And as always pray that we would continue to trust him regardless of the outcome today. That we would rest in Him and in his goodness, kindness and above all His love for our precious daughter. Thank you,
I will post after we get the results...

This devotion was perfect for my heart and I hope it encourages yours.....


Streams In the Desert
Put Forth

"He putteth forth his own sheep" (John10:4).

Oh, this is bitter work for Him and us--bitter for us to go, but equally bitter for Him to cause us pain; yet it must be done. It would not be conducive to our true welfare to stay always in one happy and comfortable lot. He therefore puts us forth. The fold is deserted, that the sheep may wander over the bracing mountain slope. The laborers must be thrust out into the harvest, else the golden grain would spoil.

Take heart! it could not be better to stay when He determines otherwise; and if the loving hand of our Lord puts us forth, it must be well. On, in His name, to green pastures and still waters and mountain heights! He goeth before thee. Whatever awaits us is encountered first by Him. Faith's eye can always discern His majestic presence in front; and when that cannot be seen, it is dangerous to move forward. Bind this comfort to your heart, that the Savior has tried for Himself all the experiences through which He asks you to pass; and He would not ask you to pass through them unless He was sure that they were not too difficult for your feet, or too trying for your strength.

This is the Blessed Life--not anxious to see far in front, nor careful about the next step, not eager to choose the path, nor weighted with the heavy responsibilities of the future, but quietly following behind the Shepherd, one step at a time.

Dark is the sky! and veiled the unknown morrow Dark is life's way, for night is not yet o'er; The longed-for glimpse I may not meanwhile borrow; But, this I know, HE GOETH ON BEFORE.

Dangers are nigh! and fears my mind are shaking; Heart seems to dread what life may hold in store; But I am His--He knows the way I'm taking, More blessed still--HE GOETH ON BEFORE.

Doubts cast their weird, unwelcome shadows o'er me, Doubts that life's best--life's choicest things are o'er; What but His Word can strengthen, can restore me, And this blest fact; that still HE GOES BEFORE.

HE GOES BEFORE! Be this my consolation! He goes before! On this my heart would dwell! He goes before! This guarantees salvation! HE GOES BEFORE! And therefore all is well. --J. D. Smith

***

The Oriental shepherd was always ahead of his sheep. He was down in front. Any attack upon them had to take him into account. Now God is down in front. He is in the tomorrows. It is tomorrow that fills men with dread. God is there already. All the tomorrows of our life have to pass Him before they can get to us. --F. B. M.

***

"God is in every tomorrow,

Therefore I live for today,
Certain of finding at sunrise,
Guidance and strength for the way;
Power for each moment of weakness,
Hope for each moment of pain,
Comfort for every sorrow,
Sunshine and joy after rain."

Father, Help me not to be anxious to see too far in front, nor careful about the next step, not eager to choose the path, nor weighted with the heavy responsibilities of the future, but help me to queitly follow behind you , the Shepherd, one step at a time.  Right now while dangers are nigh! and the fears in my mind are shaking and my heart seems to dread what life may hold in store; help me to remember that We are Yours--You know the way we're taking, When doubts cast their weird, unwelcome shadows o'er me, comfort me that your word only YOU Father can strengthen & restore, And never let me forget that You GO BEFORE US.  AMEN