The Christian’s “Taste Berry”

It is said that in Africa there is a fruit called the “taste berry,” because it changes a person’s taste so that everything eaten tastes sweet and pleasant. Sour fruit, even if eaten several hours after the “taste berry,” becomes sweet and delicious. Gratitude is the “taste berry” of Christianity, and when our hearts are filled with gratitude, nothing that God sends us seems unpleasant to us. Sorrowing heart, sweeten your grief with gratitude. Burdened soul, lighten your burden by singing God’s praises. Disappointed one, dispel your loneliness by making others grateful. Sick one, grow strong in soul, thanking God that He loves you enough to chasten you. Keep the “taste berry” of gratitude in your hearts, and it will do for you what the “taste berry” of Africa does for the African.

In Everything Give Thanks!
‘Mid sunshine, cloud or stormy days,
When hope abounds or care dismays,
When trials press and toils increase
Let not thy faith in God decrease --
“In everything give thanks.”

All things we know shall work for good,
Nor would we change them if we could;
‘Tis well if only He command;
His promises will ever stand --
“In everything give thanks.”

He satisfies the longing heart,
He thwarts the tempter’s cruel dart,
With goodness fills the hungry soul,
And helps us sing when billows roll.
“In every thing give thanks.”

Do We Believe God?

I’ve been thinking about Abraham and his constant and unwavering faith in God. When the Lord appeared to him and told him that he and Sarah would have a son, he believed that God would be true to His Word, even though he and Sarah were both past the age of bearing children. He had already proven the faithfulness of God time and time again. The Scripture tells us, “And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead; when he was about an hundred years old. Neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able to perform” (Romans 4:19-21). He never doubted God, even though it was a number of years before they saw the fulfillment of this promise. When God gives a promise about some need that we have or some request we have made to Him in prayer, it is as good as being done. “Therefore I say unto you, What things so ever ye desire when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them” (Mark 11:24). This promise gives no time limit. It doesn’t say that we will have it right now, or next week, or even several years from now. It simply states that if we believe that we receive, then we shall have.

He took the loaves and fishes few
And fed the hungry throng.
He saw the mite of faith he had
And made the cripple strong.

He took the lumps of clay and gave
The blind man precious sight.
He, seeing Mary’s trust in Him,
Brought Lazarus back to light.

He takes my whispered, silent prayer,
My faith like mustard seed
And makes what once was vague and dim
Reality indeed!
--Chorsten Christensen

“Standing on the promises that cannot fail! When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail, By the living Word of God I shall prevail, Standing on the promises of God.” -- R. Kelso Carter

God, Our Refuge

I’m sure that all of God’s children have, at one time or another, opened the Bible and right before their eyes was a verse that spoke to their hearts, one that they needed at that very moment. That’s exactly what happened to me. I have been struggling with a chemical imbalance and am so tired of being tired! When I opened the Bible, there was Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” He is my strength, my hiding place, a present help -- always here when I need Him most! Praise God!! Further in this Psalm it states, “Be still, and know that I am God…” I don’t have to be doing anything or going anywhere -- just being still in His presence and He will minister to me. This Psalm was the inspiration for Martin Luther to write the hymn, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” Too many times we sing songs out of habit and don’t really pay attention to the words. Take time to read and meditate. This hymn is such a blessing!!

A mighty Fortress is our God,
A Bulwark never failing:
Our Helper He, amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and pow’r are great,
And armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side,
The Man of God’s own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus -- it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His name;
From age to age the same;
And He must win the battle.

And tho’ this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim --
We tremble not for him.
His rage we can endure,
For, lo his doom is sure;
One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly pow’rs,
No thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours
Thro’ Him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go --
This mortal life also.
The body they may kill;
God’s truth abideth still.
His kingdom is forever.