“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.”
Philippians 2:13
From an old English parsonage down by the sea
There came in the twilight a message to me;
Its quaint Saxon legend, deeply engraven,
Hath, it seems to me, teaching from Heaven.
And on through the doors the quiet words ring
Like a low inspiration: “DO THE NEXT THING.”
Many a questioning, many a fear,
Many a doubt, hath its quieting here.
Moment by moment, let down from Heaven,
Time, opportunity, and guidance are given.
Fear not tomorrows, child of the King,
Trust them with Jesus, do the next thing
Do it immediately, do it with prayer;
Do it reliantly, casting all care;
Do it with reverence, tracing His hand
Who placed it before thee with earnest command.
Stayed on Omnipotence, safe ‘neath His wing,
Leave all results, do the next thing.
Looking for Jesus, ever serener,
Working or suffering, be thy demeanor;
In His dear presence, the rest of His calm,
The light of His countenance be thy psalm,
Strong in His faithfulness, praise and sing.
Then, as He beckons thee, do the next thing.
(Author unkown)
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
Ephesians 2:10
What a lovely post!!!😍😍😍 Love the poem! 😍😍😍And the verses! 😍😍😍
Isn’t the poem a great reminder to diligently do the next thing for the Lord! 😉 Those verses have been a couple of favorites for the week. 😍❤️☺️ Love your comments, Anna! Thank you!
😁💖💗💖
Your poem is such a beautiful blessing, Rachel!! 🥰 God inspires His children through their knowledge of the Word of God, and their life experiences with Him.
Did you know that Elizabeth Elliot used to say, “Do the next thing” all the time? After her husband, Jim, was martyred in Ecuador, along with Nate Saint and 3 other young missionaries, that thought from the Lord kept her going, and stayed with her throughout her life. 😊
The two verses that you shared speak volumes about our relationship with the Lord. They are worthy of deep meditation and acceptance into the fabric of our lives.
I also love the pics of Emmi gardening! Beautiful!! 😊❤️
That’s so neat about Elizabeth Elliot! I don’t know that used to say that all the time! 💖
☺️💛 I believe listening to Elizabeth Elliot on the radio when I was a very little girl was where I first heard that poem(The author reads “unknown” from all I can see online.)The reminder she gave to simply “do the next thing” and her own testimony of how the Lord used that in her life has encouraged me greatly. God is faithful to direct our steps and always give us something that needs doing!
Aren’t those verses amazingly beautiful and deep?! They have been going through my mind these past couple weeks and blessed my heart in so many ways!! 💖
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.-Rev 4:11
Emmi helped harvest my brother’s green beans this year! She was a very faithful worker. 😁 ALWAYS love seeing your comments come in, Sheri!!💛 Thank you!!
Beautiful Poem Rachel! Thanks for sharing! :D I LOVE Revelation 4:11!! It’s one of my favorite verses! Recently I’ve been writing it on almost every envelope that I’ve been sending to my friends. :)
Thank you for your sweet comment, Caroline! Revelations 4:11 is also one of my favorite verses too. It makes my heart swell with happiness every time I read it! 😁💛 Speaking of letters, I received a beautiful card with the most lovely calligraphy and verse on it today… from YOU!😍 Thank you for blessing my day through that sweet note of encouragement!! 💌❤️ What a day maker!! :) :)
Glad you liked it! :D One of my favorite things to do is send random notes and cards to people and surprise them because they’re not expecting it! I know I’m always very happy when I receive a random note or card from one of my friends and I hope that my notes and cards will encourage and bless others as much as I’ve been blessed and encouraged by them when others send them to me. :) Have you heard of C.T. Studd’s poem “Only One Life” ? I recently discovered it and I love it! :D
Here is one of the verses of the poem that I really like. :)
Give me Father a purpose deep, In Joy or sorrow thy word to keep.
Faithful and true what’ere the strife, Pleasing thee in my daily life,
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Have a lovely day Rachel!!! ;D
💌😃 That is one of my favorite things to do too, Caroline! I am sure I am not the only one who has been encouraged by your thoughtful mail. Keep up the beautiful work!!
Aw, I have heard that poem before! It is lovely. I am always reminded of Matthew 6:33 when I hear it, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Happy Wednesday, Caroline!! 🤗💞
Wow, what a *wonderful* poem (and wonderful post!)!! Thank you so much for sharing, Rachel!!!❤️ Such a good thing for me to remember right now!
Isn’t the poem a good reminder?! 🙃😊 Super thankful to hear it was a good reminder for you. 💗 I had prayed before publishing this post that it would be a good bit of encouragement for someone today! 🤗 God is faithful!!
So blessed by your comments, Martha Joy! Thank you for taking time to leave them! 😁