BJU Press Blog

Cosette

REMISSION

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cover image of Wonderful Words

“For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matthew 26:28). “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47). “Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). “To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins” (Acts 10:43). “Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God” (Romans 3:25). “Without shedding of blood is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22).

Golden thought: Whosoever believes in Him shall receive remission of sins.

[Excerpt adapted from Wonderful Words by Stewart Custer (September 16 reading).]

REFUGE

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cover image of Wonderful Words

“The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deuteronomy 33:27). “The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee” (Psalm 9:9–10). “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). “Yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge” (Psalm 57:1). “I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust” (Psalm 91:2). “But the Lord is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge” (Psalm 94:22). “Refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul. I cried unto thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living” (Psalm 142:4–5).

Golden thought: The eternal God is your refuge.

[Excerpt adapted from Wonderful Words by Stewart Custer (September 9 reading).]

REAP

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[Wisdom that is ”from above,” writes James, is “peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated” (James 3:17). This kind of wisdom truly nourishes us with its simplicity and depth. I am pleased to bring to you regular excerpts from Dr. Stewart Custer’s book of daily devotionals—Wonderful Words. Whether you’re “meeting” him for the first time or are already acquainted with his devotional writings, I trust you will enjoy the rare spiritual delights to be gleaned in these posts.]

cover image of Wonderful Words
“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy” (Psalm 126:5). “And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth” (John 4:37). “He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully” (2 Corinthians 9:6). “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:7–9).

Golden thought: In due season we shall reap if we faint not.

[Excerpt adapted from Wonderful Words by Stewart Custer (September 2 reading).]

An Encounter in the Woods

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BJU Press book cover for Suzannah and the Secret Coins by Elaine SchulteDuring the Colton family’s journey along the Great National Road, their driver stops to assist an overturned stagecoach. As the men work, Suzannah, her cousin Daniel, and their friend Timmy walk along the Road to stretch their legs.

“Let’s have a snowball fight!” cried Timmy.

They ventured into the woods only a few steps to get the soft snow which was just right for packing. Soon snowballs were flying.

“Got you, Daniel!” Suzannah shouted as one plastered his face, freezing his grin.

“And here’s one for you!” He snapped a quick return and sent the snowball sailing through the air. She ducked, and it splatted harmlessly on the shoulder of her cloak.

They were having a fine time, wandering deeper and deeper into the forest, when Timmy said, “Look!”

Suzannah turned. Just behind her stood two bear cubs. Plump and round, they had bright button eyes and soft-as-down fur. She put out her hand and took a step toward them.

Curious, one of the cubs shuffled over to nose her traveling bag.

As if from nowhere, a huge black bear appeared out of the dark recesses of the forest. Rising up on its hind feet, the bear growled. Even in the shadows, Suzannah could see a row of sharp teeth and the long toenails extending from the front feet.

Daniel, who’d been gathering snow further away, caught
sight of them. “The mother bear! Run!” he shouted.

But Suzannah stood rooted to the spot, her legs weak and heavy. Beside her, Timmy seemed just as stunned.

“Run!” Daniel urged again. “They smell the strawberry jam sandwiches! Leave your bag and run!”

The thought of parting with the gold coins jolted Suzannah into action. “Run, Timmy, run!” Traveling bag in hand, she ran with him for the Road.

Once she turned, almost tripping over a tree root, and saw the cubs still behind them and the huge mother bear in pursuit. Suddenly Suzannah knew just what to do. Still running wildly, she grabbed in her bag for the strawberry jam sandwiches, then pulled one out and hurled it at a cub.

[Excerpt adapted from Suzannah and the Secret Coins by Elaine Schulte (Chapter 6, pp. 64–65). This title is the first in the Colton Cousins Adventure series.]

Facing the Wolves

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BJU Press book cover for Mountain Born by Elizabeth YatesAs Benj and Peter prepare to return to the valley for the winter, they find that Biddy, the lead sheep, refuses to go down the road. Benj, a wise old shepherd, decides young Peter must fool Biddy so that she’ll lead the flock home.

Peter knew that sheep disliked going over a hilltop, fearing the unknown other side, but the plan to fool Biddy would come to nothing if they didn’t go over the hilltop and swing down from it to the gate.

“Come along,” Peter said, stamping his foot impatiently, a thing Benj had told him he must never do. The sheep stepped backward toward the fence, their hooves slipping on the sharp rocks. A ram lamb baaed arrogantly.

“You’re just silly sheep,” Peter retorted and, acting as if he didn’t care what they did, started up the hillside.

There were boulders at the top and he picked his way carefully among them. Suddenly he stopped still, gripping a rock and flattening himself against it. Not ten paces from him was a gray wolf and around her four well-grown cubs were playing—prettily, if anything that spelt such horror could be pretty. His hands felt like ice on the rock. Water coming from a spout would have had more strength to it than his legs had then.

A tuft of flowers, growing in a cleft in the rock beside him, was bending in the wind—bending away from the wolf family so heedless of their visitor. Peter was glad the wind was blowing against him. He inched himself back along the rock, through the tangled boulders, then turned and raced down the rough slope. There was no need now to call the sheep to follow him, for they had already taken themselves down to the fence and were standing there waiting. One lamb had even squeezed himself through and the ewe was standing with the wire between them, baaing plaintively.

“Silly sheep, indeed,” Peter said to them, “you’ve got more sense than a boy who goes to school.”

His fingers were trembling, but he undid the wire quickly and made an opening. The sheep crawled through first, following the one who was impatient to reach her lamb. Peter wriggled himself through. There was a rending sound, but he was in too much of a hurry to reach the other side to notice it. He raced across the grass, onto the road. Benj saw him and the six sheep coming from the opposite direction than he expected them.

[Excerpt adapted from Mountain Born by Elizabeth Yates (Chapter 6, pp. 63–65).]