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. 

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)