Those He Loves

God's Word is my Instructor;

He speaks through it to me,

And gives me faith to hold up,

A shield, that eyes don't see.

And yet it gives protection,

For yea, the devil sends

So many fiery darts that

Would try to bring faith's end.

His Word contains all wisdom,

The very words of Christ!

How oft I do neglect them

And seek those things so trite.

Yet still He prompts me forward

He will not let me rest!

And when He deems it needful

He brings another test.

These are not meant to break me

But sent to make me see

How much I need my Savior

How great His love for me.

It's only looking backward

Long 'ere the trial's through

That I see how He held me

And in some way, I grew.

Most surely in my knowledge

Of Him, my gracious King.

He caused my heart to see Him,

He made my voice to sing.

For so He tender cares for

His children, every one.

Applying every lesson

To make them like His Son.

The trials may be painful,

The discipline severe.

But all is perfect made for

Each one He holds so dear.

So if you're in the midst of

Some trial, test, or pain,

Be sure to look to Jesus

For He endured the same.

And as a perfect Son He

Knew where to set His gaze.

He trusted fully in Him

Who sent His Son to save.

When fully resting on Him

And trusting in His love

In perfect peace He'll keep you;

His peace, that's from above.

"Thou wilt keep in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee." Isaiah 26:3 KJV

Look Beyond

Look beyond the obvious

See past all the fluff

Through the mounds of trinkets

Underneath the stuff.

This is not what life is

All these things we see

This is not how we are

Meant to live, and be.

Do not be controlled by

What the others do

They are chasing wishes

Never to come true.

So much is illusion

Meant to snare our hearts

Keep us in a stupor

Till our souls depart.

Do not think that all is

As appears to be

There are forces working

That we cannot see.

So it has been ever

Since the world began

When the serpent slithered

But God had a plan.

He has sent a Saviour

He has sent His Son

If you will find refuge

He's the only One.

 

Things you've not control of
Nor can understand
He is Ruler over
He has all in hand.

Governments and kingdoms

Health and wealth and power

These will all come crashing

In that certain hour.

So if you will look to

Him Who holds all things

Trust Him for the outcome

Who true salvation brings.

If you need a purpose
Reason for Your life

Burdened by a world that's

Full of sin and strife.

Look not unto people's
Promises or plans

They are just as helpless

They are only man

Look instead to Jesus

Lest your fear increase

Bow the knee before him

Then you will find peace.


Why do the nations rage
    and the peoples plot in vain?
 The kings of the earth set themselves,
    and the rulers take counsel together,
    against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying,
 “Let us burst their bonds apart
    and cast away their cords from us.”

 He who sits in the heavens laughs;
    the Lord holds them in derision.
 Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
    and terrify them in his fury, saying,
 “As for me, I have set my King
    on Zion, my holy hill.”

 I will tell of the decree:
The Lord said to me, “You are my Son;
    today I have begotten you.
Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
    and the ends of the earth your possession.
 You shall break them with a rod of iron
    and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.”

 Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
    be warned, O rulers of the earth.
 Serve the Lord with fear,
    and rejoice with trembling.
 Kiss the Son,
    lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
    for his wrath is quickly kindled.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

(Psalm 2)

My Garden

I look out the window,
Just a glance, and see
Happy blossoms yellow
Facing not to me.

But they're looking outward
Seeking for the sun.
Waiting for the golden rays
That will warm each one.

Presently contented
To be in the shade.
Maybe they are resting
In the One Who made

All things that are living;
Every single one.
He made them for His glory,
He made them through His Son.

Do those flowers yellow
Hear each chirping bird?
Is there some connection,
Are those voices heard?

So they seem to me to
Join with all around
That which likewise reaches,
Stretching from the ground.

All around in nature
Live those things He made
Working all together
In life's grand parade.

How I long to be like
Some sweet, happy bloom.
Growing in the sunlight,
Sleeping by the moon.

Hap'ly taking what my
God has planned for me.
In times of spring or winter.
Content to simply be.

Bringing Him the glory
He has made me for;
Resting in His presence.
Safe, forevermore.

I just finished listening to a sermon on the atonement of Christ. I was moved to try and express in a poem what impacted me so greatly in hearing such a wonderful exposition of scriptures that describe the intention and co-operation of Father, Son and Spirit in the plan of salvation.

Not a Drop

Not a drop was wasted Lord

When You died that day.

Of the precious blood You spilled

T'was the perfect way

To propitiate the wrath

We so true deserved.

It was not stored up for us

But for You reserved.

None of what You suffered there

Was for nothing done.

Nothing spent upon those who

Would reject the Son.

Never Lord, how could we think

That plan would be defeated?

Any suffering be in vain

Its' purpose not completed?

You in wisdom from the start

Did not on us wait.

Else you would have none to meet

At the heavenly gate.

So instead You had a plan;

Full of grace so needed.

So much mercy, so much love

From Your heart proceeded.

Chosen by the Father

'Ere time had begun,

Each by name You called us Lord;

One by one we'll come.

Help us see Your sacrifice

Made on our behalf.

Not for nameless, faceless ones

You endured the wrath.

But instead you poured your grace

On those whose hearts were dead.

Saving us from death eternal,

Giving life instead

We who gave you not a thought

But instead ignored.

From the darkness to the light

You have now restored.

Jesus all the blood you shed

Will in time have bought

Every single chosen soul;

None was shed for naught.

SIT AND PRAY

Come, Thou bidst me, sit with Me

  For a little while, and see

What communion there can be

Sorry Lord, I've often said

Many things run through 

My head;

Maybe later, in a while

Say You'll save for me 

Your smile

Oh my heart, so desperate cold!

Still You bid me

Yes, be bold!

Come My child, the way is clear.

Only mercy now 

you'll hear

Condemnation put away

Come, I bid you

Sit and pray

IN THE MEANTIME

God of Mercy, God of Grace

Seated at the highest place

Looks upon us from above

Blesses us with  perfect love

May our hearts look up to Thee

Seek Thy face, Thou One in Three

Asking, always, for Thy grace

Waiting till we see Thy face

All our moments in Thy hands

Counted by Thee, grains of sand

One day we will be complete
Then in perfect union meet

Standing on that golden shore
Us with Thee forevermore