Wednesday, December 28, 2022

His Mark

 

Deut. 15:16-17, Phil. 2:5-8, 25-30, I Cor. 6:20, II Cor. 5:14-20

 

I had been bought with a price—

The debt was paid in full

I was brought into the Master’s house

Freed from the slavery of sin

 

Safe within the sheltering walls

I learned to see His heart

His love compelled to greater love

To give Him all not part

 

I saw the stripes He bore for me

The walk of suffering shame

And wounds will come to everyone

Who would choose to bear His Name

 

Would I go out or stay with Him—

Whose kingship would I own?

Lord, give me grace to die to self

And live to you alone!

 

My ear pressed to the doorpost

Where His blood had been applied

Then yielded to the piercing awl

The trust of faith that’s tried

 

The liberty He bought for me

Is surrendered to His will

No reputation—a servant

May His Spirit my living fill

Tuesday, December 13, 2022

Ashamed?

 Ashamed of Me?

The Wounded one

The Crucified

The Friend who bore sin’s penalty

 

Ashamed of Me?

The Spotless Lamb

The Prince of Peace

Grace that makes the blind to see

 

Ashamed of Me?

The King of kings

The Word made flesh

The Saviour who has set you free

 

Ashamed of Thee?

How could I fail to love Thy Name?

Or share the Gospel to those in pain?

Of self, alone, I blush in shame

If I do not Thy Word proclaim

 

Mark 8:38  Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. 

Monday, December 12, 2022

How Christmas Comes


 

It is not the lights in the windows

Or the decorations upon the tree

Not the shopping for presents

Or the excitement of what could be

 

Christmas is so much deeper—

A feast of true peace and joy

A song that is sung  to God’s Glory

Bearing fruit that cannot be destroyed

 

If this time of year seems too busy

You get tired of the scurry and fuss

Slow down—the reason for Christmas--

 Jesus came—He is God with us!

 

**********

 

John 1:14 

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory,

 the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 

 

Isaiah 55

Luke 2

Tuesday, November 29, 2022

Given Much

 

 

The King laid aside His garments

To be wrapped in swaddling clothes

A babe of flesh in a manger

Yet God who will face death’s throes

 

He grew in wisdom and stature--

So full of truth and grace

But soon He would know the horror

Of men who spit in His face

 

He preached throughout the nation

Healing the sick and lame

He touched the lowly sinners

Showing He would bear their shame

 

They hailed Him as the King--

Then crowned Him with Wreath of Thorn

They mocked and cursed His Name

 As with whips His flesh was torn

 

A hammer beat the rhythm

Of nails piercing hands and feet

Words are not enough to tell

God’s wrath on sin complete

 

But He who suffered cruel death

Came up from out the grave

Exalted—sitting on the Throne

With power the lost to save

 

O sinner, do you know the Lord?

Have you felt the Master’s touch?

Trust Him for He loves you so—

For you He has given much

 

**********

 

Isaiah 53

Matthew 27-28

Philippians 2:1-11

Luke 7:41-50

 

How much have we been forgiven? All.

How much did Jesus give? All.

How much faith should we give Jesus? All.

If we have been forgiven all, how much should we love in return?  With all.

Tuesday, November 15, 2022

What I See


 

I kept staring at the slide:

The swirling disappointment

Dark spots of despair and delay

Discouraged, defeated, dismayed

The world reduced to a single point

 At the end of my microscope

 

But then I looked up:

The sky was full of Thy Glory!

Bright banners of peace and joy!

My Rock, My Fortress, My Protection

Nothing is impossible with God!

Reading the open pages of my Bible

 

Where I look is what I see

May my gaze be fastened only, always on Thee

 

**********

 

Based on Psalms 71

 

Hebrews 12:1-3

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. 

Monday, October 31, 2022

It Just Hasn't Happened Yet


Your feelings cannot see beyond

The happenings of today

But faith will hold the Truths of God--

Will follow and obey

 

Just because the blessings

 Are not there before your eyes

Don’t give up or quit the fight—

God sees the one who tries

 

Start trusting in His Promises

Stop longing for what self gets

God gives rewards for faithful acts

It just hasn’t happened…

Yet

 

******

 

Based on Hebrews 6. 11, 12

 

Salvation is a free gift given right away to those who exercise faith in Christ.

Blessings are also given to those who exercise faith by walking in the promises—but these are not always given right away. God wants us to add to our faith patience. (II Peter 1:5-11) Faith, that is active and working, is never in vain (I Corinthians 15:58)

Thursday, October 27, 2022

As Sheep in the Midst of Wolves

Wolves can be found everywhere

Attacking body, soul, and mind

But my Gentle Shepherd loveth me

I can trust Him to lead and be kind

 

I shall not worry, I shall not want

Even when walking through the dark vale

Thou givest me strength in my weakness

In Thy Name shall I trust and prevail

 

I am comforted in Thy correction

I am surrounded with Thy tender care

You are always greater than problems

I will bring them to You in prayer

 

I will keep my gaze on my Shepherd

While wolves seem to howl in my ears

For Thy mercy endureth for ever

Thy goodness will comfort my fears

 

Psalms 23 with Matthew 10:16

Wednesday, October 19, 2022

Hold My Gaze Upon Calvary

 Hold my gaze upon Calvary

How dark the day! How stark my sin!

The sacrifice so high a cost

For Him to rescue one so lost

 

Hold my gaze upon Calvary

How bold the stripes! How deep the thorns!

They laid upon the King of kings

He still with grace salvation brings

 

Hold my gaze upon Calvary

How wide his arms! His searching eyes!

Looking for the straying sheep

He never slumbers, never sleeps

 

Hold my gaze upon Calvary

How sweet His love! How strong His wrath!

Move me to learn to hate my sin

Let His love conquer all within

Monday, September 19, 2022

Don't Waste Your Soul

 


 

Don’t waste your soul, O thoughtless fool

Rushing through each pleasured day

Vanity and toys consume the priceless gift God gave

For eternity’s not long enough for you for sin to pay

 

Don’t waste their soul, O lazy Christian

The harvesting of ripened fields cannot a moment wait

Go and reach your neighbors and those around the world

Or the sounding of the trumpet will announce you are too late

 

Don’t waste your soul,  O hear the Master

 He is pleading once again—

Come believe the Truth, the Way and let new Life begin!

Do you know you are the treasure He bled and died to win?

 

Don’t waste your soul

Monday, June 20, 2022

Reviving the Stones

 

An object at rest tends to stay at rest—

These stones hadn’t moved for quite some time

Buried in the rubbish left behind

They waited for someone—anyone--to care

 

It didn’t have to be the best speaker

Or one with talents by the score

But just one willing to fill the breach

To stand before the Lord

 

Have you ever heard a stone rejoice?

A rock “Hosanna” shout

When God is exalted, miracles start

Even mountains move about!

Thursday, June 9, 2022

Abba, Father

 

 

A name declared

A home prepared

Abba, Father

 

One who leads

Who meets each need

Abba, Father

 

One who hears

Comforts, cheers

Abba, Father

 

He loves, forgives

For others lives

Abba, Father

 

A gentle Guide

Walks by our side

Abba, Father

 

All-seeing eyes

With words so wise

Abba, Father

 

Rewarding right

Sin flees His sight

Abba, Father

 

 

This is my Praise

Eternal days

Abba, Father

 

**********

 

Galatians 4:6  And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying,

Abba, Father. 

 

 

John 17:25-26  O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. 

And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them. 

 

Friday, May 27, 2022

He Said It Again


 

He meant it the first time He said it--

He always did

But he knew the human heart

So he said it again and again

 

In raging rain and howling storm

It speaks a “Peace, be still”

When faced with things outside the norm

His own peace our hearts fill

 

Peace that keeps through darkest night

Whispering “Never fear”

Then pulls us into warmth of light

“Thy Saviour is ever near”

 

Now look upon His wounded hands

Behold His side and feet

For you He bled upon the Cross

He is our Peace complete

 

**********

 

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33

Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

 John 20:19

Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. John 20:21

And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. John 20:26

The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)  Acts 10:36

  

Thursday, April 28, 2022

This is the Confidence

 


 

There’s a Refuge from the wicked darts

Assurance through the test

A Place of peace and safety

Where my mind can find some rest

 

A Knowledge of the Promises

A Trust in God above

Who watches for His children

Enfolds them in His love

 

Yes, Prayer will walk the Pathway

Left by wounded, bloodied feet

In the fear of the Lord to seek His Will

He our Confidence Complete

 

*****

 

Proverbs 14:26

In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence:

 and his children shall have a place of refuge.

 

1John 5:14-15

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that,

if we ask any thing according to his will,

he heareth us:

And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask,

we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

 

Tuesday, April 19, 2022

The Power of His Might

 The Power of His Might

 

Building a tower to Heaven

The Pharisee picked up his tools

His zeal to obey the letter

Caused pride to muddy the rules

 

This man was not good in his heart

He walked just like those he did hate

But in his mind, he was righteous

And all that he did was first rate

 

But that would never be enough

To satisfy the cost

There is only one Way—

Our Jesus and His Cross

 

The Pharisee didn’t have the power

That brought Christ down from Glory

Nor did his goodness have the strength

Of Resurrection’s story

 

The righteousness that truly counts

Is God’s and His alone

For only the power of His might

Has strength to sin atone

 

Galatians 6:12-15, Philippians 3:4-9, Romans 10, 11:6

Thursday, March 24, 2022

 

Where Be All His Miracles?

 

Where be all God's Miracles?

Where is His mighty arm?

Why does the Spirit seldom work

Why happenings that alarm?

 

These questions are quite valid--

The answer is in His Book

God still has all power

But we right paths forsook

 

Our enemy is not flesh and blood--

It fights us from within

God's miracles will not happen much

When we secretly love our sin

 

Christian, seek the altar!

Confess your wrong and pray!

For God still looks for humble souls

To do miracles through today

 

**********

 

Judges 6 with Isaiah 59