Volume 19, No.11

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof” (Psalm 46:1-3).

God never changes in His commitment to us. Even when it seems everything is changing before our eyes, He remains a constant help. We are totally dependent upon His faithfulness. We must cling tenaciously to our hope, “for He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23 ). Even when we waver in faith, He remains faithful.

"I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

—Psalm 121

Back to Contents

KEEP ME STILL

Lord, keep me still,
Though stormy waves may blow
And waves my little bark may overflow,
Or even if in darkness I must go;
Lord, keep me still.

The waves are in Thy hand,
The roughest seas subside at Thy command.
Steer Thou my bark in safety to the land
And keep me still,
Keep me still.

—Author unknown

“Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).

Back to Contents

HUGS ‘N TUGS
	By Wendy Greiner Lefko “Say thank you! Don’t forget to say thank you! Did you say thank you?” As a parent it seems I’ve said those phrases a million times to remind my kids to show their appreciation for a gift or thoughtful gesture. Gratitude sometimes seems to be a lost expression among our culture seeped in an attitude of entitlement and self fulfillment. I have always tried to stress the importance of a sense of gratitude in our kids because I have seen what a difference it can make in one’s entire outlook. If I see genuine appreciation coming from them for gifts or deeds it is displayed in similar generous behavior and a new found thoughtfulness for others. But if I sense an attitude of carelessness with a lack of gratitude I often see it played out further with whining, complaining and jealously compared to others’ gifts. The sin nature can rear its ugly head in amazing ways when a heart is not truly grateful. This is true, not just in kids, but in each of us. We are all guilty of ingratitude at one time or another. No sooner do I reprimand one of my kids for not showing the appropriate amount of appreciation for someone or something, than I find my own heart burdened with my own sense of ingratitude for a blessing of some sort. It’s human nature to whine and complain when things aren’t as we think they should be. Things could always be better, but they could always be worse. Gratitude is a matter of choice, a perspective of how we view life. We could always find something to gripe about, but there are far more things for which to be thankful. Even the things about which we complain are blessings in disguise. God has allowed them into our lives for the purpose of making us more like Him—something for which we should be most thankful! A line in an old hymn sums up my heart’s desire today as we look forward to the celebration of Thanksgiving—“Dissolve my heart in thankfulness and melt mine eyes to tears”. What a beautiful expression of true gratitude! May thankfulness truly pervade my heart to the point where all that remains is humble gratitude and praise for my Lord. May it be seen in all I say and do as proof positive that I am truly, genuinely, profoundly grateful. “Now therefore our God, we thank Thee, and praise Thy glorious name” (1Chronicles 29:13). Back to Contents
SALVATION IS MOVING FROM LIVING DEATH TO DEATHLESS LIFE.

THE BEST OF LIFELINE
	By Rev. Larry W. Greiner There is a story that tells of an old man who owned a little narrow lot with a poor miserable cabin on it. Land in his neighborhood had been selling for fabulous prices, and he felt that some day his place would make his fortune. One day a millionaire came along and asked the old man what he wanted for his property. The old man, having waited so long for this opportunity, priced it at a large figure. “Very well," said the millionaire, “I will take it. I will be back in two weeks to pay you and sign the deed. Here is a thousand dollars as a down payment for the agreement of sale.” The old man was delighted and thought, “Since he is paying so much money, the least I can do is fix the place up a bit.” So, for the next two weeks he painted the old cabin and replaced some of the broken windows. When the millionaire returned to finalize the sale, the old man was surprised that the buyer did not comment on the work he had done. So he said, “See how beautifully I have painted the place and put in some new windows. It is going to make a nice home. I hope you find it very comfortable.” “Oh,” said the millionaire, “I didn’t buy this place for what is on it, but for what I am going to put on it.” That is how God views the sinner. He has redeemed us, not because of what He finds in us, but for what He is going to do in and through us. By placing our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, we receive forgiveness of sins and everlasting life. We come as we are and God makes the changes. How wonderful it is to know that He is able to create a new heart and life in anyone who will repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. This Thanksgiving, let us give thanks for the work the Lord has done for us and through us the moment we were born again. If you have not been born again, turn from your sin and give your heart to Christ now. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) Back to Contents

A GRATEFUL HEART

Fulton Oursler learned the lesson of a grateful heart from an African-American woman who helped care for him when he was a little boy. Every time she sat down to eat, she would bow her head and say, “Much obliged, Lord.” Oursler asked her why she did this, because the food was there for her to enjoy whether she gave thanks or not. She replied, “Sure we get our vittles, but it makes everything taste better to be grateful. Looking for good things is a kind of game an old preacher taught me to play. ‘Take this morning. I woke up and thought, What’s there to praise God for today? You know what? I couldn’t think of a thing! Then from the kitchen came the most delicious odor that ever tickled my nose. Coffee! ‘Much obliged, Lord, for the coffee,’ I said, ‘and much obliged, too, for the smell of it.’”

Many years later, Oursler stood at the bedside of that woman as she lay dying. Seeing her in much pain, he wondered if she could still find something to be grateful for. Just then she opened her eyes. As she saw him and the others gathered around, she folded her hands and said with a smile, “Much obliged, Lord, for such fine friends.”

Difficult moment — seek God.
Quiet moments — worhip God.
Painful moments — trust God.
Every moment — thank God.

Back to Contents

IN HIS CARE

God will take care of you still to the end;
Oh, what a Father, Redeemer and Friend!
Guiding, protecting and keeping His own,
He will take care of you — trust Him alone!

—Anonymous

Back to Contents

An elderly woman once said to Charles H. Spurgeon, “Ah, Mr. Spurgeon, if Jesus Christ does save me, He shall never hear the end of it.”

UNFETTERED PRAISE

This is what King Edward saw on the wall when he visited a home for the deaf:

We cannot shout
We cannot sing
But we can love
Our gracious King

Back to Contents

Praise distinguishes the Christian particularly in his prayer and in his worship. . . . The highest point of all worship and prayer is adoration and praise and thanksgiving.

—Martyn Lloyd-jones

AN IMPORTANT CHOICE
	A man who was losing his memory went to his doctor for advice. He received this diagnosis from the doctor, “We cannot help your memory without impairing your eyesight. Now the choice is yours. Would you rather be able to see or to remember?” The man thoughtfully replied, “Frankly, I’d rather have my eyesight than my memory. You see, I’d rather see where I’m going than remember where I’ve been.” —Erwin Lutzer, Failure: the Back Door to Success. Back to Contents

THE RIGHT PERSPECTIVE

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve;
I was made weak, that I may learn humbly to obey.
I asked God for health, that I may do greater things;
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.
I asked for riches, that I may be happy;
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men;
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life;
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing I asked for but everything I hoped for.
I am, among all men, most richly blessed.

—A Confederate Soldier

Back to Contents

Faith is resting in the fact that God has an objective in leaving me on the scene when I feel useless to Him and a burden to others. —Pamela Reeve

TRAGIC RESULTS OF SIN
	Because of sin, man has taken the deity out of religion, the supernatural out of Christianity, the authority from the Bible, God out of education, morality and virtue out of literature, beauty and truth out of art, ethics out of business, fidelity out of marriage. Back to Contents

GREINER ITINERARY
	Oct. 31 A.M. Palisades Community Church Revere , PA Nov. 7 Larry & Sharon Laurelton Park Baptist Church Brick Town , N.J. Nov. 14 A.M. Erial Community Church Erial, NJ Nov. 25 THANKSGIVING Dec. 3 Ladies Bible Study Bala Cynwyd, PA Back to Contents
PRAISE & PRAYER
	Pray for the upcoming meetings. Larry was given a new kind of antibiotic for a sinus infection and had an allergic reaction which required a 911 call and emergency medical treatment. Taken to the nearest hospital by ambulance, he was then given prompt and proper medicine which reversed things. No overnight hospital stay was required. Praise for continued improvement for Claire. He has not had chemo since July. His microglobin level is stabilizing. He has been able to join the family in most programs, sharing in music and preaching. Pray regarding possible surgery to correct two hernias that have developed. Thank you for your intercession. God has been answering in a miraculous way. Praise God for His faithful provision for daily needs in every aspect of our lives and ministry. Beloved saints, Thank you for your faithfulness. Your friendship, prayers and support mean more than words can express. God is at work in a powerful way, and the glorious light of the gospel is penetrating the darkness. God bless you for standing true to His cause! Yours in His mighty name, “The Greiners” Back to Contents

Volume 19, No.11

NOVEMBER 2004

Hearthstone Archives | Home Page

CONTENTS

GOD’S FAITHFULNESS

KEEP ME STILL

HUGS ‘N TUGS

By Wendy Greiner Lefko

SALVATION IS MOVING FROM LIVING DEATH TO DEATHLESS LIFE.

THE BEST OF LIFELINE

By Rev. Larry W. Greiner

EVERLASTING FATHER

When tempted to plunge into the old life: “Thou fool, dost not thou know that thou art carrying God around with thee.” —Augustine

A GRATEFUL HEART

IN HIS CARE

An elderly woman once said to Charles H. Spurgeon, “Ah, Mr. Spurgeon, if Jesus Christ does save me, He shall never hear the end of it.”

UNFETTERED PRAISE

Praise distinguishes the Christian particularly in his prayer and in his worship. . . . The highest point of all worship and prayer is adoration and praise and thanksgiving.

—Martyn Lloyd-jones

AN IMPORTANT CHOICE

THE RIGHT PERSPECTIVE

Faith is resting in the fact that God has an objective in leaving me on the scene when I feel useless to Him and a burden to others. —Pamela Reeve

TRAGIC RESULTS OF SIN

GREINER ITINERARY

PRAISE & PRAYER

EVERLASTING FATHER
	Unending relationship Unfailing provision Unconditional love Undying kindness Unwavering companionship Unlimited resources Unfading resources Unfading inheritance Unspeakable joy Unmatched protection Unequaled instruction (wisdom) Unsearchable riches Undisturbed home (residence) Unfathomable peace Unfeigned joy Unfolding glory. Back to Contents
When tempted to plunge into the old life: “Thou fool, dost not thou know that thou art carrying God around with thee.” —Augustine