At Thy Feet

Sitting at Thy feet to listen

Healing words I clearly hear

Mercy, grace, abundant pardon

Draw me ever near

 

Falling at Thy feet in anguish

Grief compels my bitter cry

Once again to draw me close

When I don’t know the why

 

Kneeling by Thy feet to wash them

Faith can see the brutal wound

By Thy nail prints, bleeding side

My life in Thine becomes perfumed

 

**********

 

Mary learned the importance of being at Jesus’ feet. Her focus was that Christ received all the attention. By her listening, prayer, and service, she pointed always to her Saviour. Let us learn to humbly live at His feet.

 

Psalms 86:1,5-6, 10-11, 15 

Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy. 

For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. 

Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications. 

For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone. 

Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. 

But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. 

Holding My Father's Hand

So often when I’m weary--

Life’s struggles get me down

Circumstances overwhelm

I feel like I will drown

 

I need the calm assurance

Of my Father’s gentle care

I will seek His face in Scripture

And kneel to Him in prayer

 

It is there that He reminds me

That He will always hold my hand

I will trust in Him completely

To walk the path He’s planned

 

I feel His peace surround me

I can even find a song

For I’m walking with my Father

And His hand is very strong

 

**********

 

Psalms 139:10 

Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. 

Isa 41:10 

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. 

Isa 26:3-4 

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. 

Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength: 

Psalms 23:3-5 

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.  

A Bird in the Rain

 

 

He sat upon the tree limb

Singing a pretty song

His joy got my attention

I wondered if he’d been there long

 

How could he be so happy--

The rain was pouring down!

His feathers looked quite ragged

But I didn’t see a frown!

 

I listened even closer

While he whistled the refrain:

“God takes care of all His creatures--

Even birdies in the rain!”

 

 

So when your life is stormy

With God’s Word your life surround

For little birds sing on rainy days

And cats cannot be found

 

**********

 

Matthew 10:27-31

 

What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. 

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. 

But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 

Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. 

Let's Have a Sandwich

I started to build a sandwich

With all the fixings I had

But without the bread on either side

My sandwich looked quite sad

 

But when I put one slice of bread

Beneath my stack of food

Then another one on top

It didn’t look so skewed

 

So it is with trusting prayer

I start with seeking God

Then ask Him for my present need

And end with praise and laud

 

This kind of prayer excites my heart

I hardly see my needs

For God surrounds them with His love--

His grace my fear exceeds

 

Based on Matthew 6:9-13

If I hold onto God and let Him control the issues of life, there really is nothing to fear.

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

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. 

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

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.

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. 

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

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

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

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!

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. 

 

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.

 

Who is This Jesus

 

Treading the Old Path

 

Treading the Old Path

 

You had to kneel as you entered the gate…

So many turned aside because they hit their head

 

The Way was clearly marked—A single groove in the sand

And a quiet whisper: “Follow me”

 

A Rugged Tree loomed ahead--

A vision of horror, a proving of love…

 

Yet a fellowship offered

“I died for you—will you live for me?”

 

The choice must be made—a yoke must be worn

 

The path to pursue:

Holiness unto the LORD…

 

Through Christ which strengtheneth me

********

Once we trust Jesus to save us from our sin, our life should be all about living for Him. Are you pursuing the proper Path? The Bible is the Light, Jesus is the Way--Follow!

The Guessing Game

 

The Guessing Game

 

Ever learning yet never coming

Truth outside your reach

Depending on your own understanding

With faith you will not seek

 

You like to run to others with

What you suppose is true

But soon will come the judgment day

Your playing you will rue

 

Listen to the Master’s call

Do you not hear your name?

Trust His mighty work of grace

Stop playing the guessing game

 

*******

 

John 20

 

1.      Mary Magdalene guessed that someone had stolen the body

2.      Mary Magdalene supposed that Jesus was the gardener

3.      She would not stop to listen to anyone else—the angels barely got a word in edgewise!

4.      She was focusing on the supposed problem instead of seeking to God for the answer

5.      Asking questions is a good way to get people to stop and listen to themselves

6.      Be still—listen to God’s Word for your problem

7.      When you know—then go!

A People Near to Him

 

A People Near to Him

 

The Heaven of heavens cannot hold all His love

So how can a human heart?

It’s broken and wounded—outcast by sin

A terrible place to start!

 

But Great Power belongs to the Lord our God

He speaks and His Word it is done

He maketh a way for each one who will come

Through the blood of His Precious Son

 

He lifts the lowly to heights above

Where majesty surrounds His Throne

He never stops working on their behalf

His enjoys His children—His own!

 

Let us be the people near unto Him

With hearts open wide to His care

Fearing the Lord—in His mercy we hope

Praise ye the Lord everywhere!

 

******

 

 

The People Near to God

Psalms 147-148

 

The people God wanted near described

1.      The people near to God were outcasts

2.      The people near to God were broken

3.      The people near to God were wounded

4.      The people near to God needed to be built

5.      The people near to God needed to be lifted up

The people near to God delivered

1.      Fear the Lord—see sin and recognize your problem

2.      Hope in the mercy of God—receive Jesus’ payment for sin

The people near to God discipled

1.      God’s commands

2.      God’s comforts

The people near to God determined

1.      To enjoy God’s presence

2.      To praise God’s person

Watch Your Step!

 

Watch Your Step

 

Watch your step—

Be careful where you tread

Hear the warnings clear

Please heed what God has said

 

It only takes one step

Away from God’s True Light

To find yourself flat on your back

Lacking godly might

 

If there never is the first step

There can never be one more

Why leave Your Heavenly Father

To paths of sin explore?

 

Examine your steps with the Bible

Know the chapter and verse

Follow what is good and right

Flee from that which would curse

 

**********

 

Psalms 37:23

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

 

Proverbs 4:14-15

Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.

Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.