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

 

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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

 

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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!

 

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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

 

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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.