Author: parasbovolos

Like a wounded soldier

With gaping wounds indeed,

Is the unregenerate soul

Where Your hope cannot be seen.

Like a dying casualty

With no strength at all,

Is our entire being

Before our name You call.

Like a drunkard that can barely see

As we stumble in our walk,

And like a spider’s web and trap

Is the venom as we talk.

Like a prisoner behind those bars

Where a glimpse of light remains;

Where regret and remorse

Consumes those every waking days.

Like a child in much pain

That requires a doctor’s touch,

Is our heart before it is transformed

As it hurts so very much.

But when we book ourselves in;

Into Your spiritual hospital;

Your surgeon’s touch will transform

To complete and make us full.

Your hand with the scalpel

Will chisel away our sin,

To remove all uncleanliness

And all unrighteousness within.

You remove all the hardness

That surrounds our troubled heart,

And ignite Your peace and love

As we enjoy a brand new start.

But we need to book ourselves in

With meekness and humility,

So we are refreshed and renewed

And with new vision we will see.

(C) P.B. 2021

“Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.  I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.  I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.”  Ezekiel 36:25-27

“Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord, though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are like crimson, they shall be as wool.”  Isaiah 1:18

“Why are you cast down, O my soul?  And why are you disquieted within me?  Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.”  Psalm 42:5

“He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”  Psalm 23:3

“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”  Hebrews 4:12

Through the trenches and the muddy terrain

Your hand will still be there;

When exhausted as we climb that mountain

You display Your love and care.

The marathon that we run

Our heart and soul will ache,

But You’re holding tightly onto us

To keep us sober and awake.

The depth of waters we encounter

Will tempt us to exhibit fear,

But it’s Your presence that surrounds us

And reminds us You are near.

We’re grieved and vexed in spirit

When the wicked prosper indeed, 

But You’ve revealed their tragic end

And You warn us to take heed.

You hold us by our right hand

And with Your counsel You will guide;

You’re our strength and portion forever Lord

As we kiss our idols goodbye.

We place our trust in only You

And declare Your precious works,

There’s no-one else that we desire

Since You’re truly of perfect worth.

Your blood was shed on the cross

To reconcile us back to You,

And Your sacrifice was required

Since there was nothing we could do.

Nothing for us to obtain salvation

Or present our best to You,

Because all our works are as filthy rags

And no sacrifice could do.

Because it’s only by the blood of the Lamb

That we can ever be set free;

The most precious of every sacrifice;

A gift of love for eternity.

(C) P.B. 2021

“Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand.  You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.”  Psalm 73:23-24

“Whom have I in heaven but You?  And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.  My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”  Psalm 73:25-26

“They are not in trouble as other men, nor are they plagued like other men, therefore pride serves as their necklace; Violence covers them like a garment.  Their eyes bulge with abundance; They have more than heart could wish…When I thought how to understand this, it was too painful for me – until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their end.”  Psalm 73:4-17

“But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all Your works.”  Psalm 73:28

“But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags;”  Isaiah 64:6

“But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.”  Revelation 21:27

“Him being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.”  Acts 2:23-24

“Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”  Acts 2:38

Like a chapter to be written

Is our life before You Lord;

A book with empty pages

And like a race yet to be scored.

An episode that’s not complete

And like a flower still in bloom;

A bride that prepares herself

To meet her beloved groom.

And the story thus far

Has its many ups and downs,

With trials and tribulations

But where Your hand turns things around.

We’re like a lump of clay

At the mercy of Your will,

As the Potter shapes and moulds us

Where Your touches are instilled.

We’re like a jigsaw puzzle

Where the pieces wait to mate;

To join us to the bigger picture

As the finishing touches we await.

We’re like a gourmet recipe

Where the produce is arranged,

To be cooked to perfection

When we are cleansed and changed.

May the next chapter in our lives

Of our unfinished story,

Refine us to completion

As You receive all the glory.

We’re the incomplete picture

Where the canvas with its paints,

Will portray a finished product

When we meet You face to face.

(C) P.B. 2021

“Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”  Philippians 1:6

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”  2 Timothy 3:16-17

“You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;”  Psalm 30:11

“One thing I have desired of the Lord, that I will seek:  That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord…”. Psalm 27:4

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”  Psalm 139:23-24

“For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.”  Colossians 2:10

“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.'” John 3:3

It’s not that we don’t want truth

Because deep down we really do,

But when the idolatry of lies veils our heart

We won’t see what’s right and true.

Because the truth always hurts

Since it’s laden with much light,

As it wipes away our cobwebs

And makes things pure and right.

How can we truly see God’s ways

When we’ve been indoctrinated indeed,

To believe that we came from apes

And this life is all we’ll see?

Because deception is Satan’s trademark

As he appears as an angel of light,

To tantalise our fleshly ways

But laden with many lies.

The idolatry of all lies

Is a fixture of our fallen nature,

When we believe what we hear and see

Without questioning its stature.

But lies simply cannot stand

And when they are exposed,

The scales from our eyes will fall

Revealing enemies and foes.

The idolatry of all lies

Will grasp our heart and soul,

When we won’t discern or pray for truth

Where deception is a stronghold.

When our mind is stripped from lies

More clarity we will see,

As we understand the spiritual battle

That wants to claim our soul indeed.

But when the chains of darkness

Are released as we repent,

The glorious truth will set us free

Where God’s blessings will be sent.

(C) P.B. 2021

“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”  John 8:32

“Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.”  1 Corinthians 10:14

“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries…that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”  Galatians 5:20-21

“And no wonder!  For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.”  2 Corinthians 11:14

“Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds…”. Colossians 3:9

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”  Ephesians 6:12

“In hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began…”. Titus 1:2

“But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.”  Revelation 21:27

“Repent, and let every one of you be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”  Acts 2:38

When we want to act in haste

We should always keep in mind,

That regret may occur

If our patience is left behind.

Because when we act in haste

We don’t consider prayerfully,

That there may be a better solution

Where a wiser approach may be.

When we act in haste whilst angry

It’s a dangerous place to be,

Because all common sense and logic

Along with facts we will not see.

When we act in haste

We’re impatient through and through,

Where there’s temptation to manipulate

With control in all we do.

To act in haste is very unwise

Because unless we’ve thought things through,

There may be troubles and many road blocks ahead

When our motive is not true.

When we act in haste

It reveals a selfish trait,

Where we want to gratify the flesh

Rather than for God’s promises to wait.

When we act in haste

We end up with much less,

And miss out on God’s blessing

As we settle for second best.

Patience is a virtue

And God rewards those openly,

Who trust and wait on His timing

So His blessings they may see.

Jesus never acted in haste

But considered His Father’s ways,

And was led by His Spirit

Where true love and grace remains.

(C) P.B. 2021

“You shall not go out with haste.”  Isaiah 52:12

“We can plan our ways but the Lord determines our steps.”  Proverbs 16:9

“The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water; whose waters do not fail.”  Isaiah 58:11

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.  Do not be like the horse or like the mule, which have no understanding, which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, else they will not come near you.”  Psalm 32:8-9

“Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you.  He will not permit the Godly to slip and fall.”  Psalm 55:22

“The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, but those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.” Proverbs 21:5

If money, fame and status

Was the answer to our lives,

Then we would all definitely consider

And for these things we’d want to strive.

If money, fame and status

Was the answer to happiness,

Then we would sacrifice many things

In order to have the best.

But once the top is reached

Unfulfilment will be there,

Instead of richness from the Lord

With His tender love and care.

And the irony is this…

That the more we accumulate,

The greater the insecurities

With anger, bitterness and hate.

Because we simply weren’t created

To gather and worship material things,

But rather to love and honour God

With the peace and joy this brings.

We’re disillusioned if we think

That our problems will be solved,

If we finally have money and fame

And where status is involved.

Studies have shown

That the more famous one is,

The greater the anger and disillusionment

With disappointment on their list.

Not to mention the jealousy

From acquaintances and friends,

Who compete to have the ‘best’

But where disillusionment is sent.

Because to have exceeding wealth

Will cause stress on many levels,

With the fear that it may disappear

And with emotional upheavals.

Additionally, it’s the temptations

To not give where required,

And to deal in fraudulent ways

And by selfishness inspired.

The rich will drag you into the courts

And blaspheme that noble name,

They would rather please man instead of God

And worship their status and fame.

The only status that’s registered

In the heavenly realm so true,

Is when we are the hands and feet

And share the gospel too.

Cursed is he who trusts in man

And won’t make God his rock;

The foundation that will never crumble

And where eternity is unlocked.

(C) P.B. 2021

“Do not lay up treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  Matthew 6:19-21

“Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you!  Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten…you have lived on earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter.”  James 5:1-5

“Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.  And he said to Him, ‘All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.’  Then Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan!  For it is written, You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”  Matthew 4:8-10

“And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”  Matthew 19:24

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.”  1 Timothy 6:10

“Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts?  Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?”  James 2:6-7

“But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented.”  Luke 16:25

“Thus says the Lord: ‘Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord.’”  Jeremiah 17:5

It’s magnificent to see a winner

Who has sacrificed so much,

And who’s trained in order to excel

With determination as such.

They do it to obtain a medal

And certainly aim for gold,

With a wonderful team approach

And with a zeal to behold!

Yet how much more precious

Is it to obtain an actual crown,

That is imperishable for eternity

Where righteousness abounds.

Because when we aim for gold

We look to Jesus Christ;

Who paved the way to eternal life

Whose path is filled with light.

When we fight

We don’t throw punches in the air,

But instead pray earnestly

Trusting in God’s strength and care.

Because the fight is in the spirit realm

Against powers and principalities,

And not against flesh and blood;

It’s a battle we cannot see.

When we run the race

It is so we overcome,

All trials and temptations

Where our hurdles become none.

The relay is imperative

As we pass on the Lord’s banner, 

With diligence and passion

And in a worthwhile manner.

As we dive in deep waters

And walk through fiery trials,

The Lord will be amongst us

So we go the extra mile.

All glory to the risen One

So special in God’s sight,

With the winning streak who sacrificed

His dear precious life.

(C) P.B. 2021

“…and let us run with endurance 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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  Hebrews 12:1-2

“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize?  Run in such a way that you may obtain it.  And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things.  Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.”  1 Corinthians 9:24-25

“Therefore, I run thus: not with uncertainty.  Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.  But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”  1 Corinthians 9:26-27

“No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.  And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.”  2 Timothy 2:4-5

“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”  1 Timothy 6:12

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”  Ephesians 6:12-13

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”  2 Timothy 4:7-8

“That the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”  1 Peter 1:7

“And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.”  Revelation 21:21

“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise…”  Ephesians 1:13

When we realise what we’ve been saved from

There should be a humble heart that lasts,

Knowing that the grace of God

Has delivered us from our past.

As unregenerated we go astray

And have no respect for the Lord;

Too consumed with self-centred ways

And have no piety for His word.

But when His hand lifts us up

From the miry clay,

There’s a refreshing new beginning

Where righteousness should remain.

Similarly, when we visit the doctor

And we’re advised of our sick disposition,

There’s healing in our wings

When there’s a prescription for our condition.

God exposes the nature of our soul

But provides an antidote,

The remedy to reconcile us to Him

Whereby healing He promotes.

To renew our heart and mind

And in the spirit to be reborn,

And reconciled back to Him

With all the blessings He adorns.

Because we’re all unregenerate

But there’s positivity indeed,

That Jesus died for our sins

So for our soul He would intercede.

There are times of ignorance

Where for God we do not seek,

But it’s His mercy that extends to us

So we’re humbled and made meek.

There’s good news for us all

Since Christ’s blood at Calvary,

Cleanses us from all unrighteousness

So eternal life we see.

And when we trust in Him

And repent from the heart,

Our old nature is crucified

As we welcome a new start.

(C) P.B. 2021

“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’”  John 3:3

“Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.”  Romans 6:6

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”  2 Corinthians 5:17

“That you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.”  Ephesians 4:22-24

“Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent.”  Acts 17:30

“…that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.”  1 Corinthians 15:3-4

“Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”  Acts 2:38

When things don’t go our way

And there’s perceived stumbling blocks,

It’s time to stop and to reflect

And to listen when God knocks.

What’s the point of having it all

But when we stand on judgement day,

And our name is not written in the Book of Life

Where only eternity remains?

Because if our name is not registered

We could only wish we had a chance,

To return to earth as a beggar

But in eternity to dance.

It wouldn’t make much sense

If we pretend to have everything,

But deep down there’s insecurities

With the heartache this does bring.

But when it’s God-ordained

And our circumstances change,

It’s only by His mercy

So that we cry upon His name.

When we call upon the Lord

He listens with intent,

And welcomes us with open arms

When we sincerely do repent.

When everything is sweet

We may forget that God is there,

Because we’re so absorbed in our happiness

And all the worldly cares.

But the cares of the world

Can lead to much idolatry,

When we’re focused on ourselves

Rather than where God wants us to be.

It is His actual grace

And it is His hidden blessing,

When He interrupts our plans

As we need to learn some lessons.

Because when somebody cares…

Our plans they’ll interrupt;

When the path is to destroy us

Hence from destruction lift us up.

When we stand on that day

It will not really matter,

Whether we climbed corporate ladders

But rather if we helped to make lives better.

It’s better to have trusted

In God’s provision and His plan,

Where all trials we would overcome

Rather than get what we demand.

Because it is the hidden blessings

That protect us with much care,

And although they may frustrate our plans

God’s hand is always there.

It’s best to have less

But when we stand on judgement day,

That our name is sealed and stamped

With eternal life, we pray.

(C) P.B. 2021

“And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.”  Revelation 20:15

“But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am tormented in this flame.'” Luke 16:20-24

Money is not sinful

Since we all need to survive,

But it’s the value it places in our heart

And what it will revive.

Will it promote a giving spirit

Or will it cause much arrogance?

Will it lay up treasures in the heavens

Or take a prideful stance?

It’s the love of money that promotes all evil

When greed and covetousness meet,

And envy becomes a fixture within

With all unrighteousness it greets.

Lasting riches are eternal

When we’re rich in our good deeds,

Willing to share and to be generous

When the hungry souls we feed.

We shouldn’t trust in riches

Because they can make themselves some wings,

Where disappointment will result

If we place our heart on things.

To be rich is to have lasting richness

Where we trust in God indeed,

Who richly gives all good things

Where heavenly treasures will be seen.

A giving hand and a kind heart

Excels all form of wealth,

And when coupled with a gentle spirit

It’s the most generous of helps.

Because it’s the treasures hidden in the heart

That will lay up a firm foundation,

Where eternal treasures will be stored

For the faithful who are patient.

The more we give the more we have;

All riches that will last,

From a reservoir of pure love;

From internal treasures that are vast.

God doesn’t need our money

But desires our availability,

When we utilise our time and talents

So a blessing we may be.

(C) P.B. 2021

“And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.’  But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’  So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”  Luke 12:19-21

“So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, ‘You still lack one thing.  Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.’  But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.”  Luke 18:22-23

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  Matthew 6:19-21

“Will you set your eyes on that which is not?  For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away like an eagle toward heaven.”  Proverbs 23:5

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”  1 Timothy 6:10

“Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.  Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”  1 Timothy 6:17-19