Bittersweet Farm

The First Day of “Fall”

Today was a well-mannered September 1st. It was clear and cool the way it should be on the first day of school. In Wisconsin today was the first day of school. Here in Michigan it was not, but it should have been. I started the day with a thirty-minute walk and ended the day with a drive in the country–to the ice cream shop in Horton. It won’t seem proper to go for ice cream soon, so we made the drive because we know we will pine for the chance by the time June makes its way around again. Speaking of June, we have news:

June Pierpont

Yesterday our son Wes and his wife Dylan had their second daughter. They named her June. She is blonde. Her dad was born with blonde hair. Little June is a born Texan. Now Haley has a little sister. Judging from the pictures Haley is making the adjustment big sisters have to make. Looks like we will be booking flights to Texas some time soon. This is grandchild sixteen. A couple more are on the way, maybe more. Who knows? Our clan has now grown to over 35 precious souls.

Inevitable Injuries 

Tonight I saw a clip from our oldest grandson’s football game. They called the game early because one of the boys suffered a broken leg on a kickoff return. Lately I have noticed more than ever that it is impossible to play the game of life without injury, and usually the game doesn’t stop for you. It just keeps going. I console myself in the sweet doctrine of the sovereignty of God. Noting happens to me good or bad that he does not allow. What happens to me must pass through the fingers of God’s providence and he will turn it for my good and for his glory and I trust him. I hope the parents of the sweet injured boy tonight know about the goodness and the providence of God. I hope they know enough to curl up in the promises of God and wait for the sun to rise again. I hope they know His mercies will be new in the morning.

It is impossible to play the game of life without injury.

With a clan of 35 and growing, someone is always standing in the need of prayer. Lois and I pray more than we ever have and we don’t even have to try or read books on prayer. We just carry so many loved ones on our heart. The congregants of 42 years worth of churches and Christian ministries, the good folk of Bethel Church, they are all standing in the need of prayer. I know you are. If you want to tell me how I can pray for you I will.

A few days ago I visited a couple who were deeply burdened for loved ones. I wish I could have opened the door of my soul to them so they could see that I know exactly the burden they are carrying. We prayed together.

When our loved ones are injured or in any trouble, we will keep being an example. We will help when we can. We will pray continually, often in the wee hours of the night when we lie awake and turn our worries into petitions. We try to say what helps and be silent and listen well when that is what they need.

There is go much grief in the world tonight. I know some of it is yours. I will leave you with the words of Paul to his beloved friends from Ephesus when he met them in Miletas when he was on the way to Jerusalem and sober with the danger of it… “And now I entrust you to God and the message of his grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself.” (Acts 20:32 NLT)

Reports are coming out of Afghanistan tonight that, after the American troops left, many believers are left behind among ruthless enemies who are searching them out house-to-house.

God help us to be faithful when you call us to suffer.

Bittersweet Farm
September 1, 2021

We are in the beautiful denouement of summer now out on Bittersweet Farm and in these parts. The warmth will soon yield to cooler days and we will need to get our flannel shirts back out. I look forward to that. Around here students went back to school already so they are closing the ice cream shop out in Horton at eight every night. I have an important little story and some exhortation for you today if you have the time to read on:

Happy Birthday Mom! My dear Mother turned 83 this week. I called her today and sang to her. She started every day with singing and every night with music. She has spent her life since the third grade when she met Jesus singing His praise. How I thank God for parents who love me and love God.

Father-Son Retreat at Camp Barakel. In a few weeks I will be traveling north to speak at Camp Barakel for a Father-Son Retreat. There are still some openings. Click here to register on-line.

The Secret of Real Success

A few years ago our family travelled to Mexico and our group ministered to an assembly of 2000 boys. Our leader asked the boys if any of them knew the biblical secret to success. At first no one volunteered. Then he offered $20.00 for the right answer. A buzz of excitement went up from the boys. Many gave answers and were rewarded a few dollars but no one gave the right answer. Our leader raised the prize for the right answer to $100.00. Now the young men lined up with eager attempts to win the generous prize. Sill no one knew the scriptural secret to real success. Finally our leader gave the money to the head of the school with instructions to give it to the first of the boys to memorize Matthew chapter 6.

The next week we stopped in Nashville on the way home for a conference. While preparing for the opening of the conference Russ Bennett called me aside to read what he had written for the opening ceremony of the conference. Russ worked with the conference sponsors. While we were discussing the text I referred to a passage of Scripture.

“Can you get me a Bible?” I asked, “I will show it to you.”

He stepped away and brought back his own Bible. I took it in my hands to look up the passage. It fell open easily. It was well-cared-for but worn. On every page were pencil markings and notations. I’ve always admired Russ. He is a fine young man, and example of the believers, but seeing his Bible gave me a deeper insight the source of his character. He is a young man familiar with the Word and with the God of the word. Judging from his character I think he has moved beyond an academic, mental understanding of the Bible to the kind of communion with God through his word that has resulted in the blessing of God on his life. Russ has been trained by his parents and others to understand that the scriptural secret to success is fellowship with God through moment-by-moment meditation on his word, the Bible.

The Biblical Promises to those who commune with God by meditating on the Word of God, delighting in it, and obeying it are profound. This kind of communion with Christ, this kind of meditation, has a promise attached to it in Scripture repeatedly.

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. (Psa 1:1-6)

Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (Jos 1:7-8)

Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. (1Ti 4:13-16)

The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip. (Psa 37:31)

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. (Psa 19:7-14)

Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts. (Psa 119:97-100)

Therefore I love your commandments above gold, above fine gold. (Psa 119:127)

I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food. (Job 23:12)

Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments! (Psa 112:1)

In light of these staggering promises we should renew our commitment to communion with God throughout the day beginning with our first waking moments of the day and ending with the meditations of our hearts upon our beds.

May God prosper you.

Bittersweet Farm

August 27, 2021

Additional Biblical Resources:

Daily Communion with God Through Meditation on Scripture

1. Then we will have success. We will prosper.

2. We will have real success. We will have real prosperity. “…good success…” More valuable than gold. More to be desired than food.

3. We will have success in all we do. We will prosper in everything we do.

4. We will have success wherever we go.

5. We will have success that is apparent to others. Our prosperity, our progress, and the evidence of the blessing of the Lord on our lives will be evident to all. (We will have the manifest (obvious) blessing of the Lord). (See Scriptures on the obvious blessing of the Lord).

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. (Psa 1:1-6)

Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
(Jos 1:7-8)

Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. (1Ti 4:13-16)

The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip. (Psa 37:31)

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. (Psa 19:7-14)

Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts. (Psa 119:97-100)

Therefore I love your commandments above gold, above fine gold. (Psa 119:127)

I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food. (Job 23:12)

Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments! (Psa 112:1)

Scriptures on the Fear of the Lord.

Psalm 5:7 But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy; In fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple.

Psalm 25:14 The secret of the LORD [is] with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant.

Psalm 31:13 Oh, how great [is] Your goodness, Which You have laid up for those who fear You, [Which] You have prepared for those who trust in You In the presence of the sons of men!

Psalm 33:18-19 Behold, the eye of the LORD [is] on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy, To deliver their soul from death, And to keep them alive in famine.

Psalm 34:7 The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them.

Psalm 34:9 Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints! [There is] no want to those who fear Him.

Psalm 85:9 Surely His salvation [is] near to those who fear Him, That glory may dwell in our land.

Psalm 103:11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, [So] great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As a father pities [his] children, [So] the LORD pities those who fear Him.

Psalm 111:5 He has given food to those who fear Him; He will ever be mindful of His covenant.

Psalm 147:11 The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, In those who hope in His mercy.

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of knowledge, [But] fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One [is] understanding.

Proverbs 14:26 In the fear of the LORD [there is] strong confidence, And His children will have a place of refuge. The fear of the LORD [is] a fountain of life, To turn [one] away from the snares of death.

Proverbs 15:16 Better [is] a little with the fear of the LORD, Than great treasure with trouble.
33 The fear of the LORD [is] the instruction of wisdom, And before honor [is] humility.

Proverbs 16:6 In mercy and truth Atonement is provided for iniquity; And by the fear of the LORD [one] departs from evil.

Proverbs 19:23 The fear of the LORD [leads] to life, And [he who has it] will abide in satisfaction; He will not be visited with evil.

Proverbs 22:4 By humility [and] the fear of the LORD [Are] riches and honor and life.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this [is] the whole [duty] of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether [it be] good, or whether [it be] evil.

Malachi 3:16-17 Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, And the LORD listened and heard [them;] So a book of remembrance was written before Him For those who fear the LORD And who meditate on His name. “They shall be Mine,” says the LORD of hosts, “On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them As a man spares his own son who serves him.”

Scriptures on Delighting in the Commandments of God.

Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed [is] the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight [is] in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.

Psalm 25:13 He himself shall dwell in prosperity, And his descendants shall inherit the earth.

Psalm 40:8 I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law [is] within my heart.

Psalm 111:10 The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do [His commandments.] His praise endures forever.

Psalm 119:16 I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.

Psalm 119:143 Trouble and anguish have overtaken me, [Yet] Your commandments [are] my delights.

Psalm 145:19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them.

Luke 1:50 And His mercy [is] on those who fear Him From generation to generation.

Romans 7:22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man.

Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded [is] death, but to be spiritually minded [is] life and peace.

Scriptures on the Obvious Blessing of the Lord.

Psalm 37:26 [He is] ever merciful, and lends; And his descendants [are] blessed. (Psalm 128)

Proverbs 20:7 The righteous [man] walks in his integrity; His children [are] blessed after him.

Proverbs 15:6 [In] the house of the righteous [there is] much treasure, But in the revenue of the wicked is trouble.

Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Proverbs 3:9-11 Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine

Genesis 21:22 And it came to pass at that time that Abimelech and Phichol, the commander of his army, spoke to Abraham, saying, “God [is] with you in all that you do.

Genesis 26:28 But they said, “We have certainly seen that the LORD is with you. So we said, ‘Let there now be an oath between us, between you and us; and let us make a covenant with you,

Genesis 39:5 So it was, from the time [that] he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had in the house and in the field. (also 2,3)

Joshua 3:7 And the LORD said to Joshua, “This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, [so] I will be with you.

2 Chronicles 1:1 Now Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the LORD his God [was] with him and exalted him exceedingly.

Isaiah 45:14-20 Thus says the LORD: “The labor of Egypt and merchandise of Cush And of the Sabeans, men of stature, Shall come over to you, and they shall be yours; They shall walk behind you, They shall come over in chains; And they shall bow down to you. They will make supplication to you, [saying,] ‘Surely God [is] in you, And [there is] no other; [There is] no other God.’ “

Isaiah 61:9 Their descendants shall be known among the Gentiles, And their offspring among the people. All who see them shall acknowledge them, That they [are] the posterity [whom] the LORD has blessed.”

Zechariah 8:23 “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘In those days ten men from every language of the nations shall grasp the sleeve of a Jewish man, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard [that] God [is] with you.” ‘ “

1 Timothy 4:15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.

Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Philippians 2:15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

2 Timothy 3:9 but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.

1 Corinthians 14:25 And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on [his] face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.