This is a NEW Devotional expressing the Savior's Love for us and our desire to return the same Love and through the Holy Spirit, Rest in His Peace.
BY
Orvil (Ty) and Elizabeth (Betsy) Tice have been doing some form of Ministry together for 49 years. They have to date written seven books. Betsy's experience has focused around Ministry Leadership, Music, and Teaching. Ty's Experience has been as Pastor, Bishop, and Counseling through the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. They both hold Doctoral Degrees in Ministry and Theology. Above all, their mainstay is "Child of the Living God, Jesus Christ."
3/8/2022
REST YOURSELF UNDER THE TREE
A Devotional by Ty & Betsy Tice
So often in this world we have become self-centered and selfish, even contaminating what should be pure religion. I was contemplating where Betsy and I should go with the completion of the devotional “The Story and the Song” in conjunction with “Making Melody in Your Heart Unto the Lord.”
The Lord brought me to Genesis 18:1-5 Where Abraham entertained the Lord and ministered to Him. May our hearts be as pure as we serve the King of kings and Lord or lords.
Genesis 18
1 And the Lord appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;
2 And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,
3 And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:
4 Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:
5 And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
I arrived at the indoor pool, which we have access to, at 5:50 AM. I am 76 years old, so my exercise consists of running in the pool for 25 minutes. It is important to take care of our physical body, but how much time do we spend on our Spiritual Being? Maybe you read a passage of Scripture, pray for a while, read a devotional like this one, and this is all good. May I suggest some Cardio for the Soul. David while attending sheep picked up his lyre and sang unto Lord. In every situation in his life (the good, bad, and ugly) he exposed his weakness to God’s Greatness, Grace, and Mercy. Abraham sought to comfort the Lord’s Heart by water for his feet, food, and rest under the tree.
As a Christian we know how to Ask, Seek. And Knock. But how much of our day do we spend ministering to Jesus? You might say but I have nothing to give. NOT TRUE! You have the craziest gift of all. YOURSELF. “Cast ALL your cares on Him because He cares for you.” Today talk to Him, Sing to Him of His Greatness, He even likes a Joyful Noise if that’s all you have. At the end of the day you’ll be able to say, “Well we made it through, Lord. THANKS."
Song Unto the Lord
Let the Peace of God Rule in Your Heart
By Elizabeth C. (Betsy) Tice
(Colossians 3:15 KJV)
Key of C
CHORUS: (Sing Two Times)
“Let the peace of God rule in your heart.
Let the peace of God rule in your heart,
And be ye thankful. Be ye thankful,
And be ye thankful. For all things."
REST YOURSELF UNDER THE TREE 3/15/2022
And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
So often we limit our concept of ministry to the office of Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, and Teacher. The Lord in Romans 12:1-10 shows us we have all been given gifts that He desires us to use to glorify Him.
We’ve all experienced not being appreciated, being overwhelmed, weary, or just plain old tuckered-out. The housewife whose children seem to multiply by the hour cries out “Can anyone help me?” I’ve watched Truck Drivers, Police Officers, Firefighters, Ambulance drivers, Paramedics, Postal carriers, and Trash collectors, all doing “Thankless Jobs.” The list only puts a dent in the professions that someone isn’t criticizing and demanding more. It seems like bureaucracy attempts to fix one problem, while creating a dozen more to replace it.
WHEN YOU WANT TO GIVE UP Let me share my weakness with you. I was pastoring a small country church in Upper Lake, CA. I was discouraged and angry. Here I was doing the will of God, and my church floor sank right in the middle of the Sunday service. We did have about 80 people in attendance. The offerings didn’t even cover the cost of the rent and utilities. After one morning service, I opened the offering box to find only a dime and a nickel. My declaration was “I QUIT!” It was time to help God out. I closed the doors to the church and bought an LA city bus. My associate pastor and I converted it to a rolling mobile church. We noticed on the destination roller that this bus was AZUSA Street Line. Truly, it must be a sign from the Lord. Well, for five months we traveled over the mountain to the valley truck stops. We had ONE trucker come to the mobile church. Driving my big blue mobile church back over the mountain I realized, “I was Jonah, and this was my big blue whale, wanting to spit me out. Forgive me Lord, what is your desire?” I won’t tell you here, how many times I did stupid things like this, expecting God to jump on board. Let me assure you that He never does.
I have learned to stay the course until He moves you. Running away will never secure you under the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91
In church this last Sunday, our pastor spoke with a pastor in Eastern Ukraine who said he couldn’t flee the Russian onslaught because his church needed him. Oh Lord! That we your people be as faithful as this pastor to whatever it is you have assigned us to do, be it mother, grand parent, trucker, business owner, service person, or any position where the Glory of the Lord will shine through you. It doesn’t matter the difficulty, the highs or the lows; if God said, “Do it,” He will also equip you to prevail.
“That You Might Receive Glory”
By Elizabeth C. (Betsy)Tice (Based on James 5:13-16, Colossians 4:17 and originally inspired by reading the applications for ministry of my dear brothers and sisters in Africa)
Key of C
CHORUS:
May my prayers reach you, Lord.
May my heart touch Your heart.
May my life honor You,
That You might receive glory.
VERSE 1:
May I be righteous, Lord.
May I live in Your Word.
May my prayers fervent be,
That You might receive glory.
VERSE 2:
May I live as You would,
showing mercy and doing good.
Freeing prisoners from satan’s grasp,
That you might receive glory.
VERSE 3:
May my life fulfill Your plan,
Having favor with God and man.
Doing good to the household of faith,
That You might receive glory.
CHORUS:
May my prayers reach you, Lord.
May my heart touch Your heart.
May my life honor You,
That You might receive glory.
REST YOURSELF UNDER THE TREE 3/22/2022
Philippians 2:9-13 KJV
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
In my 76 years of “Heaven's Boot Camp” I have watched ‘Christian Fads’ come and go. As a child after World War II it was flannel graphs and Christian Service Brigade. As a teen it was church choir and church camp. As a young adult it was weekend outings and social events during the week.
One of the problems we have in our Christian Walk is that the "group mentality" defines our walk and talk by the social norm for said group. It defines what we wear, how many times we attend services, what songs, style and if the preacher will do expository or a topical message. However, in many but not all cases this formality is only required when we are gathered together and seldom reflects life out side of the group.
Jesus said in my absence “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”
I would suggest that all of the above is good, but we must get down to, “Hi, it’s me Lord, How do You want to instruct and transform me?" If we don't do this we are only pleasing the group and not our Savior. The more I love the Savior, the less likely I am to judge and compare myself by the standards set by the “group.”
“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”
“Every Knee Shall Bow”
By
Elizabeth C. (Betsy) Tice
(Isaiah 45:23, and Philippians 2:9-13)
Key of C
CHORUS:
Every knee shall bow. Every knee shall bow.
At the Name of Jesus, every knee shall bow.
And every tongue confess. Every tongue confess.
Every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
VERSE1:
Faithful Father lead us. Gentle Jesus feed us.
Guided by Thy Spirit, surely we will be.
VERSE 2:
Only You are Holy. Only You are Worthy.
We will live our lives to glorify Your Name.
POSSIBLE SEQUELS: (Suggestions for the Worship Leader)
“It is God Which Who's Working in You,” ”You Are Worthy to Receive”
“Glory Be to the Lamb,”and/or “Thou Art Worthy”
“Every Knee Shall Bow” is an excerpt from Making Melody in Your Heart Unto the Lord – A Compilation of Songs Given to Elizabeth C. (Betsy) Tice through the Holy Spirit.
TY & BETSY’S DEVOTIONAL BLESSING 3/29/2022
REST UNDER THE TREE Revelation 4:9-11 KJV
9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, 10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hastz created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY by Ty Tice
WOW WOW WOW….Consider the four and twenty elders falling down before Him and worshiping the “Forever God” declaring Only He is Worthy to receive honor and power as they cast their crowns before Him. The Forever God who bestowed on His Children (you and I) Eternal Life.
Loved Ones, we are in the Last Times. Revelation is unfolding before our eyes. When our nations embrace the morals of Sodom and Gomorrah and evil and wickedness seems to permeate every governing body, know that our redemption is drawing neigh. So what should we the children of God be about? This is the time to stand in boldness. We can’t do that in own strength.
I would suggest going to our prayer closets in worship and praise. When you comprehend His Holiness, His Pleasure, His Love, and His Power; Your standing is in His strength and boldness. This strength doesn’t reflect arrogance or ego for it stands in fear and reverence of a Holy God. Demons flee and tremble at the Name of Jesus.
So dear brother and sister in Christ. It is time to stop worrying and being overtaken by the anxiety of this world. Refill yourself with the living water that flows from His Throne until only the desires of Jesus are your focus.
“Your Name is Holy” By Elizabeth C. (Betsy)Tice (Psalm 9:10, Matthew 6:9, Philippians 2:9-11, and Revelation 4:9-13)
Key of F
VERSE 1:
Your name is holy, holy, holy.
Your name is worthy of glory and praise.
It’s the name we adore, and we long to know more
Of the name that’s the “name above names.”
VERSE 2:
Your name is worthy, worthy, worthy.
Your name is worthy of glory and praise.
It’s the name we adore, and we long to know more
the name that’s the “name above names.”
VERSE 3:
Your name is Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.
Your name is worthy of glory and praise.
It’s the name we adore, and we long to know more
Of the name that’s the “name above names."
POSSIBLE SEQUELS: (Suggestions for the Worship Leader) “Thou Art Worthy” “You are Worthy to Receive”
“Your Name is Holy” is an excerpt from Making Melody in Your Heart Unto the Lord – A Compilation of Songs Given to Elizabeth C. (Betsy) Tice through the Holy Spirit.
TY & BETSY’S DEVOTIONAL BLESSING 4/7/2022
Thought for the Day by Orvil (Ty) Tice
In Acts 9 many are familiar with the Damascus Road Experience of Saul. Jesus asked him why he (Saul) was persecuting Him. Paul took great pleasure in persecuting Christians in the name of Religion. Yet Jesus told Ananias in Acts 9:
15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
If Jesus picked the worst and called him a “Chosen Vessel,” then, dear brother and sister, let NO ONE suppress your desire to serve the Lord, and let His Light shine through you. Do you remember the adulteress and not the adulterer was being condemned before Jesus? Jesus wrote in the sand and said, “He who is without sin cast the first stone.”
So shine so all will see not you, but Jesus in you.
“Conformed to His Image”
By Elizabeth C. (Betsy) Tice
(Galatians 4:19, Galatians 2:10, Acts 9:15, and Matthew 5:16)
Key of F
CHORUS:
Conformed to His image. That is the goal.
Yielded completely, beneath His control.
Glorify Jesus, with all I am.
Laying my life down to find it again.
VERSE:
A chosen vessel I long to be.
The light of Your presence shine forth through me.
Glorify Jesus, with all I am. Laying my life down to find it again.
CHORUS:
Conformed to His image. That is the goal.
Yielded completely, beneath His control.
Glorify Jesus, with all I am.
Laying my life down to find it again.
POSSIBLE SEQUELS: (Suggestions for the Worship Leader) “Glory be to the Lamb” “You are Worthy to Receive”
“Conformed to His Image” is an excerpt from Making Melody in Your Heart Unto the Lord – A Compilation of Songs Given to Elizabeth C. (Betsy) Tice through the Holy Spirit.
REST YOURSELF UNDER THE TREE 4/14/2022
PSALM 103 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY by TY TICE
As we celebrate this week the death and the Resurrection of our Savior, it is an appropriate time to savor all the good things He has done. This includes also the bad things He has brought us through. I look at ALL my sins from childhood through the 76 years I have lived. I shudder to think of my late teens and 20 somethings how much of what I did would be defined as an abomination in the eyes of the Lord; yet He loved me so much, He washed me in his blood and personally cast my sins in the deepest sea of His forget-fullness. He then over the years grabbed my hand many times as I was sinking in stupidity when eyes were focused on my circumstances and not on Him. Each time over the years He would lovingly clean me up, redress me, and command me to love others as He has loved me.
Oh Lord, when I deserved death, You gave me Life. When I was rejected before men, You exalted me before them. When I didn't know what to do, You whispered in my ear and guided my path. When I was down and discouraged, You restored my soul. You gave me “Eagle Wings” in the SPIRIT to soar into the SON. How sweet it is to bask in the presence of the ALMIGHTY, knowing there is NOTHING TOO HARD FOR YOU!!! You call me Friend, and I call you Lord. Never let me forget the PRICE that You paid for my redemption.
“Oh, What a Savior Is He”
By Elizabeth C. (Betsy) Tice
(Psalm 56, Psalm 103, Psalm 91, and Revelation 3 )
Key of C
CHORUS:
Oh, what a Savior is He!
Oh, what a Savior is He!
He died for my sins, and His love never ends.
Oh, what a Savior is He!
VERSE 1:
He collects all my tears in His bottle.
He counts all the hairs on my head.
My name is engraved on the palm of His hand.
Oh, what a Savior is He!
VERSE 2:
He heals all of my diseases.
He knocks at the door of my heart..
He takes all my sins,
Scatters them to the winds.
Oh, what a Savior is He!
CHORUS:
Oh, what a Savior is He!
Oh, what a Savior is He!
He died for my sins, and His love never ends.
Oh, what a Savior is He!
VERSE 3:
He renews my youth like the eagle..
He covers me under His wings..
He constantly guides.
Every need He provides.
Oh, what a Savior is He!
CHORUS:
Oh, what a Savior is He!
Oh, what a Savior is He!
He died for my sins, and His love never ends.
Oh, what a Savior is He!
POSSIBLE SEQUELS: (Suggestions for the Worship Leader)
“You Are So Special To Him”, “Does Jesus Care,” and/or “Glory Be to the Lamb”
REST YOURSELF UNDER THE TREE 4/19/2022
Mathew 13:43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY by Ty Tice
In Chapter 13 Jesus explains to His disciples why He speaks to the people in parables. (Definition: a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson, as told by Jesus in the Gospels.) This passage disturbed me for a long time. As a young man, I would picture the sower casting the seed unto stony ground or into the thickets. My thought was that seed didn't stand a chance of surviving. Sadly, I had missed the whole point.
Each man and woman is born with a seed in their heart that cries out to God. Will that seed, which brings forth rebirth in Jesus, (John 3) be brought to light? Only if your “free will” chooses to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior.
Sadly, I have seen too many choose the thickets (god in their own universe) or the stony ground (the pleasures of the world sown by the Devil).
Even in the good ground of Salvation there may be tares to impede us, but when the Son of man sends forth His angels to reap the harvest, the tares will be cast into the furnace where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. What will be left of the harvest is the righteous to Shine Like the Sun in the Kingdom. So, Saint of God, are you ready to shine?
Gonna' Shine Like the Sun in the Kingdom
By Elizabeth C. (Betsy) Tice
(Matthew 13:43, John 17:24, Revelation 7:9-17, and John 8:58)
Key of F
CHORUS:
Gonna' shine like the sun in the Kingdom.
Gonna' shine like the sun in the Kingdom.
When the angels of God come to welcome me home,
Gonna' shine like the sun in the Kingdom.
VERSE 1:
Gonna' raise my hands to my Jesus.
Gonna' raise my hands to my Jesus.
Then I'll fall at His feet, for my joy is complete.
Gonna' raise my hands to my Jesus.
VERSE 2:
Gonna' sing and shout Alleluia.
Gonna' sing and shout Alleluia.
Alleluia to the Lamb, for He is the great I am.
Gonna' sing and shout Alleluia.
CHORUS:
Gonna' shine like the sun in the Kingdom.
Gonna' shine like the sun in the Kingdom.
When the angels of God come to welcome me home,
Gonna' shine like the sun in the Kingdom.
POSSIBLE SEQUELS: (Suggestions for the Worship Leader)
“Alleluia,” “He Came to Earth,” “Hopelessly in Love with You,” and/or “Alleluia (Glory Alleluia) Alleluia to the Lamb”
“Gonna' Shine Like the Sun in the Kingdom ”is an excerpt from Making Melody in Your Heart Unto the Lord – A Compilation of Songs Given to Elizabeth C. (Betsy) Tice through the Holy Spirit.