I Spent Today…

I spent today with Jesus,
And it was a blessed day.
The path grows ever sweeter
While upon the narrow way.

I spent today with Jesus
All my sadness did depart.
And I found myself rejoicing
For Jesus ruled my heart.

I spent today with Jesus
When temptations came my way.
I clung fast to Christ-bought vict’ry
And to Satan answered ‘nay.’

I spent today with Jesus
Looking up into His face.
I felt His smile upon me
Full of mercy, love, and grace.

I spent today with Jesus
Sought to please my Lord alone.
As I joyed in the assurance
That I was His very own.

I spent today with Jesus
His pleasure: my delight.
Praying earnestly each moment
That I would choose the right.

I spent today with Jesus
When others ‘stepped’ on me
I cried to Him for patience
To respond to them kindly.

I spent today with Jesus
When emotions tried to reign
I turned my heart to Jesus
And I cried upon His name.

I spent today with Jesus
And found all that I had sought.
And of all the things I pondered
Jesus was my sweetest thought.

I spent today with Jesus
May my message one day be:
“I spent my life with Jesus,
Now I’ll spend eternity!”

Copyright Miriam Rainwater, November 25, 2006
All rights reserved.

Lonely No Longer

I once walked alone, down roads of this world
I knew not of Christ and His word.
But praise be to Him
He took all my sin
And He filled my heart with His joy.

Chorus:
Lonely, lonely no longer,
For Jesus walks close to my side.
Faithful to the end
My heavenly friend
And He fills my heart with His joy.


I still sought the praise of those that I knew
But friends that are faithful are few.
Yet Jesus was there
I knew that He cared
And He filled my heart with His joy.

I’ve chosen to joy in all of my life
For I have a friend – Jesus Christ.
Though foes may assail
And though friends may fail
Still He fills my heart with His joy.

Opt. Tune: Calvary Covers it All


Copyright Miriam Rainwater, October 26, 2006
All rights reserved.

He My Mountain

I flee as a bird to my Mountain
I put all my trust in my God.
In low lands the Devil would snare me
To wander and sink in sin’s sod.
But Jesus so lovingly draws me
To places of safety and calm.
In places of rest and assurance
My soul finds an infinite balm.

I flee as a bird to my Mountain
With Jesus how shall my soul fear?
Though Satan would boast the world’s pleasures
The vict’ry is mine with Christ near.
Though others would mock and would try me
I seek my acceptance from Him
Who bought me and freed me on Calv’ry:
My Rock and My Mountain. Amen!


Copyright Miriam Rainwater, October 24, 2006
All rights reserved.

I Need Jesus

I need Jesus more each day
For my heart would go astray.
That I might all sin abhor
I need Jesus more and more.

Chorus:
Jesus, teach me day by day.
Lead me in Thy Truth and Way.
Vict’ry was at Calv’ry won.
I need Jesus Christ the Son.

I need Jesus, ev’ry hour;
He my Overcoming Power.
With Him I can reach the goal.
I need Jesus in my soul.

I need Jesus through the mire
He alone fills each desire.
Quietly I hear Him call:
“I will be thine All in All.”

I need Jesus ev’ry mile
May I walk beneath His smile,
His approval, not of men.
I need Jesus, still, again.

I need Jesus He my King
Of His worthy name I sing.
And this song of prayer I raise
I need Jesus all my days.”

Opt. tune: Simply Trusting
Copyright Miriam Rainwater, October 23, 2006
All rights reserved.

Rejoicing in Jesus!

Rejoicing in Jesus!





A close friend moves out of state. You get sick on Christmas. A friend has a miscarriage. You have a bad day where EVERYTHING goes wrong. The kitchen sink is so full of dishes that it is overflowing. And to top it all off, you have three Geometry lessons calling your name.

Although the above scenarios are quite varied in their difficulty, they normally all produce the same response from each one of us. A complaining spirit, a sigh and perhaps even a root of bitterness. If we are wise we turn to the Lord, and he whispers to us a single word: “rejoice.”

Rejoice?! We say. “Lord, I can’t rejoice in…” And yet our loving Father stays firm in His command. “Rejoice.”

How can we rejoice in all, obeying our Lord’s command to “Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice”? Let me exhort you, my friend, it is possible, by God’s grace. The Lord has been teaching me and leading me in this path of rejoicing, and though I am still learning, I feel as if He would have me pass on the wonderful truths and joys I have found in rejoicing in Jesus.

One day right after my two closest friends had moved away, I got into a conversation with my friend, Mrs. Booth, about it at church. I was discouraged and lonely, yet Mrs. Booth encouraged me to JOY in my Savoir, even though I did not know what He was trying to teach me. Little did I know, that one of the main things that God was trying to teach me was … REJOICING!

Through the past few years, one of the main things I have struggled with is how I could rejoice when I was sad. After a while, I decided to study the words: joy, happiness, rejoicing, etc. as they are used in the Psalms. During this word study I discovered that in America and the English language, we use the words joy and happiness interchangeably, but incorrectly. Happiness is a state of the emotions, easily changed by circumstances and surroundings. Joy is knowing (a state of the mind and will) that God is in control and choosing to believe it. When I am not happy about something does not mean that I cannot rejoice in it, rather that is precisely when I must rejoice. Rejoicing is a choice, yet it is a command. (Philippians 4:4, I Thes. 5:16) Rejoicing is an act of the will, emotions can only follow.

How many times do we pour out all our complaints at the throne of our Heavenly Father, not pausing to listen to His reassuring promises to help us perform all that He commands? If we would only listen and rest in our Lord, we could find true joy. It is there, patiently waiting, but how many of us are wiling to make the effort to reach out and take it? An evangelist that once visited our church made a very true statement. He said: “There is always a way of escape and there is always sufficient grace. When we sin, we are not accessing that grace.” Think about that for a moment.

These principals may seem simple and unimportant to some, but if one person and failed to rejoice, Jesus would have come to ransom him. Someone wise once said: “My only contribution to the plan of salvation was the sin that required it.” Even though I may not be happy about all that has happened or all that is happening right now in my life, I choose to believe that his way is perfect (Ps. 18:30) and rest in the knowledge of His love. Even when I get lonely for my friends who moved away, or when everything seems to go wrong all in one day, I must choose to thank the Lord for EVERYTHING, and JOY in Him.

Satan has a very large stronghold in Christians when we have “bad days”. Jesus Christ has died for us, ransomed us, and is now in heaven, waiting for us. This is exciting, friends! Instead of focusing on the negative, on the things that are going wrong, focus on Jesus and all the rich blessings that He has bestowed upon us all as His children. As Mrs. Booth once told me, “When I am rejoicing in Jesus, I can “throw a party” in the trial.” When Satan tries to steal your joy with a “bad” day or you find yourself in the midst of a trial, rejoice in Him, brethren! “Throw a party” for your God is greater than ANY problem!

Even in the little things, such as washing dishes or working a geometry problem, we are given daily opportunities that our heavenly Father lays before us, to see if we will obey His words and commands, to test our love for Him. Even though it is hard to remember to rejoice at times, the peace that goes hand in hand with choosing to rejoice is well worth it. And He is there to give the strength to press on!

Throughout all our lives as Christians, we must remember two precious words: He knows. Sad? He knows. Lonely? He knows. Depressed? He knows. Multiple temptations? He knows. The future? HE KNOWS! Praise our dear Lord! We can rejoice in all our ways!

The next time you are struggling with anything, big or small, talk to the Lord about it, bringing all in your heart before Him, and purposing to rejoice in your situation. He knows! You may not feel any better about it, but you will know in your heart that you are obeying the Lord and rejoicing in His perfect dealings with you. And in this, there is true joy.

May You be First

May You always be first in my heart.
May I always for You set apart.
May I from sin and from evil depart.
Lord, may You be first.

May You always be first in my soul.
May I yield all of “me” to Your control.
O Lamb of God, whose blood made me whole,
Lord, may You be first.

May Thou always be first in my mind.
Thoughts that are pure, that are just, that are kind,
These thoughts, not evil ones, always be mine.
Lord, may Thou be first.

May You always be first in my life.
Though Satan would tempt me in the battle strife
May others know that I follow Christ.
Lord may You be first.

Copyright Miriam Rainwater, October 2, 2006
All rights reserved.

Teach Me to Cling

Teach me to cling, O Lord, to Thy word
That I might face trials resting assured
Lord, let the promise of sure vict’ry ring.
Teach me to cling!
Teach me to cling!

Teach me to cling, O Lord to Thy Son.
Help me remember the vict’ry is won
And that I do not have to feel failure’s sting.
Teach me to cling!
Teach me to cling!

Teach me to cling to Thy promise sweet
When Satan tempts me, I fall at Thy feet.
All my temptations teach me to bring.
Teach me to cling!
Teach me to cling!

Teach me to cling though Satan would pull.
May I of Christ’s precious likeness be full.
This be my message – Christ is my King!
Teach me to cling!
Teach me to cling!

Teach me to cling, O Lord, this my plea
That I might give all the glory to Thee.
O Lord through my life this song I shall sing:
Teach me to cling!
Teach me to cling!


Copyright Miriam Rainwater, October 1, 2006
All rights reserved.

Leaving Me Behind

I planned out my future
And sought not Thy will.
And yet, I found mercy
In Thy eyes still.
You love, everlasting
Though I went astray.
But now, Lord, I leave me,
To follow Thy way.

I did what was right
In my sinful eyes.
And fell as a victim
To the Devil’s lies.
I sought not Thy face,
Sought only my own.
But now, Lord, I leave me
To serve you alone.

I did what I wanted
While farther apart
I moved from Thy Spirit
By my sinful heart.
But praise to Thy name
Thy mercy was mine!
So now, Lord, I leave me,
And myself behind.

Copyright Miriam Rainwater, October 1, 2006
All rights reserved.

Alone with my Jesus

I come to my closet, alone with my Jesus
This is a need in my life day by day.
In quiet silence I hear His voice calling:
“Be still, My child, and know ye My way.”

Here in my closet, alone with my Jesus
Talking, engaging, and lending an ear.
Keeping my heart’s eyes on His face and promise
Leaving my doubts and my needs and my fears.

I come to my closet, alone with my Jesus
To be transformed by His mercy and grace.
More like my Jesus, He gives me His likeness,
When I come alone to a still, quiet place.

Copyright Miriam Rainwater, September 17, 2006
All rights reserved.

With Songs of Deliverance

With songs of deliv’rance my Savior compasses
My soul round about in His mercy and grace.
My Strength in the battle I shall have the victory
When He is my Rock and my Hiding Place.

With songs of sure vict’ry His Spirit doth strengthen
My heart in the trouble, He hears ev’ry cry.
Though Satan would tempt me, I call unto Jesus
My Tower of Refuge, my Fortress in nigh.

With songs of assurance, my Comfort doth help me.
Why should I fear with my Jesus beside?
I shall not fear what men shall do unto me
Still I will trust Him to lead me and guide.

With songs of forgiveness, my Jesus doth cleanse me,
When I acknowledge my sin unto Him.
He breaks down each stronghold if I would but ask Him,
Renews me to serve Him in truth once again.

With songs of His blessing He teaches me daily
Instructing therein in the paths of His choice.
I trust in His holiness and wait for direction
Glad in His presence, my heart shall rejoice.

With songs of deliv’rance, my Savior compasses
My life round about. He is all that I need.
The vict’ry is sure for it was won on Calvary
In Him I am free, yes free, free, indeed!

Psalm 32: 8
Copyright Miriam Rainwater, September 13, 2006
All rights reserved.

The Cross

The Cross

Quinn Davis and Miriam Rainwater

June – August 2006

A precious promise tried and true

From God a gift for me and you.

On a hill t’was given free –

The tree.

Redemption from the stains of sin,

I’m turned around, I’m changed within.

Since I washed within the flood –

His blood.

I sought salvation full and free

And found it without cost or fee.

The flood engulfed me from above –

His love.

Mercy flickers there

The gift of life their bearer wears

In them shines pain as He cries --

His eyes.

Made of briers and thorny vines

Worn because of sin like mine,

Made to shame and bring Him down –

His crown.

Stripped of the few things He owned.

Yet, hear the ever-loving moan:

“Lord, forgive them, everything!” –

My King.

The Father turns from the Son

He man’s sin must shun

The Lamb faces joy’s thief –

Grief.

Jesus draws in His last breath

And gladly welcomes the Angel of Death.

Glory! He’s paid the price! He’s –

The Ultimate Sacrifice.

As He died the veil was torn.

All my sin and shame He’d borne.

Pierced because of foolish pride –

His side.

Black as night, like stains of sin

The Father could not look on Him.

Because of sinners such as I –

The sky.

She looks in His face and sees pain no more

“After He defies death He’ll reach heaven’s shores.”

She remembers all they meant to each other –

His mother.

The pits of hell echo a terrible scream:

“Jesus has died!” Is it a dream?

Man from the bonds of death is free!

Victory!

In horror I began to see

What had nailed Him to that tree.

In shame I looked away from Him –

My sin.

Realization struck my soul

He suffered that I might be whole.

He died, I began to see –

For me.

I saw Him hanging there;

Ev’ry man’s sin this Man did bear.

He’d die to make man whole, and save

Their souls.

I’ve found the peace

My amazement will never cease.

I’ve found Divine Romance –

A second chance.

Although a King, He had no grave,

He had come the world to save.

A friend took pity, gave Him room –

His tomb.

There’s been a sadness in us all,

Although Christ freed us from the fall.

But Jesus promised He would raise –

Three days.

We went to the tomb,
And only found an empty room.
We left, a hasty path to choose:

Disturbing news.

We did not believe them.
They were lying about Him.
Storms within our souls bouted. We-
Doubted

We felt as if our hearts had died

When our friend was crucified.

If only we could talk to Him

Again.

If only we could hear again

How to live pure within.

It would make our hearts rejoice –

His voice.

To see the gentle look in His eyes,
To look where love and mercy lies.
If only He didn't have this end –

Our Friend.

Thomas doubted His love.
He doubted in power from above.
We considered agreeing with him –

An awful sin.

But there He stood, alive, complete,

We saw the nail marks on His feet.

A moment we in silence froze –

He rose!

To know He lived brought much relief

In shame we saw our unbelief.

Tongue or pen cannot employ –

Our joy.

Before we knew it, He walked with us.

He told of God’s love, free and just.

We asked Him to tell us where He abode –

The Damascus Road.

He told us to preach the gospel to all

To tell how He saves from the fall.

Now all can have joy beyond mention –

His ascension.

Cleansed from sin by Christ’s own blood

Joy and peace within it flood.

I give Him all and yield each part –

My heart.

Nothing so has changed my life

Than the life of Jesus Christ.

Now I’ll proclaim unto the lost –

The cross.

That We Might Rejoice

Revive us, O Lord, that we might rejoice,
In Thy salvation given free.
Cause us to hear what Thou wilt speak
Set us in the pathway of Thee!

Revive us, O Lord, that we might rejoice,
Send Thou Thy spirit upon this place.
Keep us from evil, show Thy truth.
Turn back, upon us shine Thy face!

Revive us, O Lord, that we might rejoice,
Humble our hearts, we for mercy cry.
We look to Thee for righteousness
To our plans of self-gain we die.

Revive us, O Lord, that we might rejoice,
Lord, Thy forgiveness, Thy grace, ‘tis sweet.
O Lord, deliver us from sin!
We humbly bow at Thy feet.


Psalm 85
Copyright Miriam Rainwater, August 20, 2006
All rights reserved.

The Gift of Rain

The Gift of Rain

August 12, 2006

Water drizzles from the sky

Upon a thirsty earth.

It is received with gladness as

A gift of highest worth.

The plants soak up this liquid gold

And flowers bend beneath

The pitter – patter of each drop

That shimmers on each leaf.

It fills the cracks and turns to mud

The former loosened dust.

It falls upon the wicked

Just the same as on the just.

It trickles down the dry streambeds;

Creates the stream anew.

It coaxes life back to the world

In shades of ev’ry hue.

In days of plenty and of drought

It’s a blessing all the same

Sent by One who made all things:

The priceless gift of rain.

O Lord, Your Assurance

O Lord, Your assurance, Your peace, they are sweet;
I come with my trouble and lay at Your feet.
For You are my Comfort in sorrow and pain
My strength in my trouble, my heart You sustain.

O Lord, Your rich blessings are mine through the Lamb
For I am a child of the King, the I AM.
My Savoir, I love You; O teach me and guide.
O Jesus, I plead that You stay by my side.

O Lord, Your strong promise resounds in my soul
As all of my life I yield to Your control:
“Child, I will not leave you, but close by your side,
I’ll lead you in truth and within you abide.”


Copyright Miriam Rainwater, August 8, 2006
All rights reserved.

My Strength and Shield

My Strength and Shield, my heart doth help
I trust in Him, He shall not fail.
In this assurance I rejoice,
Though fearful thoughts assail.

My Strength and Shield my Jesus is;
He hears my daily prayer.
My Rock, my Fortress still is He,
The Bearer of my care.

My Strength and Shield, He keepeth me,
From paths of wicked men.
But firmly on the path of life
He plants my feet again.

My Strength my Shield, Thy name I praise,
My song shall be of Thee.
How sweet the blessed assurance is
That Thou hast given me!

Psalm 28: 1, 6, 7
Copyright Miriam Rainwater, September 1, 2006
All rights reserved.

Here I Will Rejoice

Here I will rejoice
The shadow of Thy wings
Is spread abroad my soul to hide;
So I will sing.

Here I will give thanks
Rich blessing doth abound.
I seek Thy face and walk Thy path.
Thy praise I’ve found.

Here I will rejoice
Thy holy will is best.
Within my Jesus I abide
And safely rest.

Copyright Miriam Rainwater, July 31, 2006
All rights reserved.

I Choose Jesus!

I see my life with all its sin.
My heart longs to be pure within.
Christ can make me clean again.
I choose Jesus.

When temptation tempts beside
Encouraging thoughts of selfish pride
In my Savior I abide.
I choose Jesus.

Decisions lurk and deadlines press
Yet in Jesus I am blessed.
In my Hiding Place I rest.
I choose Jesus.

When trials with their troubles sting
And storms of life their sorrows bring
I rejoice in God, my King.
I choose Jesus.

When I leave this world of strife
And the Father asks: “Do you know Christ?”
May I answer: “Thru my life
I chose Jesus!”

Copyright Miriam Rainwater, July 22, 2006
All rights reserved.

The Place Where I Abide

Full of the Savoir, and His precious grace.
My place of Comfort and my Hiding Place.
When I seek my Jesus and His holy face –
The place where I abide.

He draws me still nearer and walks by my side.
He is my Lord, my Companion, my Guide.
And here I have fellowship with Jesus who died –
The place where I abide.

Sweet place of assurance, within which I rest
In hours of temptation or in daily tests.
I’m joying in Jesus for His ways are best –
In Jesus I abide.

Copyright Miriam Rainwater, July 15, 2006
All rights reserved.

Fill My Life

Fill my life with Thee, O Lord;
Thy likeness may I bear.
Cleanse m heart from ev’ry stain
‘Til thou art Ruler there.
‘Til Jesus, yea, ‘til only Christ
Abides and dwells within.
Rid my life of sinful strife
And make me pure again.

Fill my life with Thee, O Lord,
And make Thy will mine own.
Teach me to submit my will
Before Thee at Thy throne.
Lord, root out all my selfish pride
That in humility.
I might joy in ev’rything
You choose to give to me.

Fill my life with Thee, O Lord,
My mouth fill with Thy praise.
My mind fill with the things of Thee
My feet guide in Thy ways.
May hands fill with Thy works of love
And yielding all to Christ
May my prayer always be:
O Savior, fill my life!”


Copyright Miriam Rainwater, July 11, 2006
All rights reserved.

If God…

If God created ev’ryting in heav’n and earth below
I know that He creates me life, each joy and trail knows.

If God protected Noah while the flood and sea waves rolled
I know that He protects me as He guards my heart and soul.

If God conversed with Abraham and talked with Him alone
I know that He converses with me at my Savior’s throne.

If God directed Moses through the desert wilderness
I know that He directs me and my paths by Him are blessed.

If God remained with Joseph and walked constantly beside
I know that He remaineth and within Him I abide.

If God inspired David in the path of holiness
I know that He’ll inspire me ev’n in my loneliness.

If God delivered Daniel from the deadly lions’ den
I know that He delivers from the bonds of hell and sin.

If God corrected Jonah in love and faithfulness
I know that He’ll correct me through His loving daily tests.

If God appointed Jesus to take away our sin
I know that the Appointed One has made me pure within.

If God converted Paul on the road to Damascus
I know that I, converted, walk the road to godliness.

If God counseled all these men in things of daily life.
I know He’ll counsel me today if I would turn to Christ.

Copyright Miriam Rainwater, July 9, 2006
All rights reserved.