Author: parasbovolos

Infused by a brilliant mind

When a sperm and egg collide;

It’s the miracle of miracles

And such wonder we can’t undermine.

Every cell so meticulously designed

And deposited in our body;

Infused by the hand of God

Each person with a unique story.

Everything is infused with colour

And created so beautifully;

It is perfect in its design and shape

And with love has come to be.

Burst of flavours from every fruit

And all distinct in taste;

A tantalising sensation indeed

And wonderfully interlaced.

Harmonious and lovely melodies

Are infused with His divine Spirit;

They calm the soul and rejuvenate

With everything pleasant within it.

When a tea bag is infused

It reveals the contents within,

Similarly when we’re placed under pressure

Do we exhibit frustrations and sin?

When the word of God permeates

It instils in our soul qualities,

And transforms and renews our mind

So more godly we can be.

Infused with love when our spiritual birth

Does take place indeed,

When we’re born again unto salvation

By His incorruptible seed.

Soaked entirely by His mercy

When through faith repentance takes place;

Infused by His Holy Spirit

And accepted by His grace.

Infused with His forgiveness

When with a humble and contrite heart,

We acknowledge our sinful and fallen state

With the need for a brand new start.

(C) P.B. 2020

“For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Psalm 139:13-14

“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord. The fruit of the womb is a reward.” Psalm 127:3

“and renewing of the Holy Spirit whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior.”” Titus 3:5-6

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace.” Ephesians 1:7

“having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.” 1 Peter 1:23

Relationships are special

When the core elements are there,

It’s when love, respect and honour

Are combined with tender care.

Their trademark is servanthood

When kindness is released,

Along with faithfulness and long suffering

With an abundance of joy and peace.

They see the need in others

And are prepared to sacrifice,

With a smile upon their heart

And a soul filled with delight.

It may sound idealistic

Of what a relationship should be,

But when it possesses those character traits

True fulfilment will be seen.

It’s unfortunate that these relationships

May not actually exist,

When self-centredness and greed

Are foremost on the list.

When jealousy abounds

It will cause a separation;

An invisible wall

With many hesitations.

There are disappointments and frustrations

In many relationships,

It’s when disrespect and unwholesome words

Will flow from the lips.

Because love is an action;

Not some romantic fantasy,

It is long-suffering and it is kind

Where true faithfulness we see.

There is one relationship

That cannot be surpassed,

It’s when Jesus becomes our Lord and Savior

To sanctify and to set apart.

This relationship will never disappoint

Because the Holy Spirit’s love and care,

Will embrace us and make us grow;

It is precious and it’s rare.

It’s the most fulfilling of them all

Because the warmth inside our soul,

Will not compare to any other

As it seals that empty hole.

When we truly walk by faith

And trust God wholeheartedly,

Our hope is everlasting

With spiritual riches we do see.

It reconciles us to the Father

As it redeems us and it heals;

This relationship is sacred

Where the Father’s mercy is revealed.

(C) P.B. 2021

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

“For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is His name; And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel; He is called the God of the whole earth.”  Isaiah 54:5

“My heart is overflowing with a good theme; I recite my composition concerning the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.”  Psalm 45:1

“For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but My kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord, who has mercy on you.”  Isaiah 54:10

“Incline your ear, and come to Me.  Hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you – The sure mercies of David.”  Isaiah 55:3

“Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near.”  Isaiah 55:6

“Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.  And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”  Ecclesiastes 4:12

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”  Proverbs 17:17

“As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.”  Proverbs 27:17

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”  Galatians 5:22

“Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”  Matthew 7:12

“Sanctify them by Your truth.  Your word is truth.”  John 17:17

“I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.”  John 17:23

When David was a shepherd boy

He would never have envisioned,

That he would one day become King of Israel

And to have a special mission.

He would never have foreseen

That his poetic literature,

Would be read by billions of souls

From countries from afar.

It was never on his mind

That the beautiful psalms he penned,

Would be included in many worship songs

With the blessings they would send.

Samuel the prophet waited for David

Although in the lineup he wasn’t included,

And when he arrived Samuel instantly knew

That David’s brothers would be excluded.

It was the Heavenly Father’s grandiose plan

To use a humble shepherd boy,

To reveal God’s glory and majestic ways

When as king – David was employed.

Moses was a shepherd boy

For forty years with his sheep,

In monotonous and repetitive ways

But his faithfulness he reaped.

He was chosen for a task to lead

The Israelites into the Promised Land,

To be a leader of God’s chosen ones

To see their deliverance by God’s hand.

It was training ground during these quiet times

With moments to reflect,

On God’s natural beauty and His wonder

Where His provision they wouldn’t forget.

The humble manger was tenderly used

To cradle the King of kings,

Surrounded by cattle and the twinkling stars

Since there was no room in the inn.

The Father had plans of greatness

For His humble Son – the Christ,

As He was used mightily to serve indeed

And to reveal God’s wondrous light.

He was the greatest man that ever existed

Yet He was nailed to a cross,

T’was the Father’s vision – poignant and profound

So His creation would not be lost.

There is greatness in humility

As it allows the many opportunities,

To reflect on God’s wonder and His majesty

When His creation we truly see.

There is greatness in simplicity

Particularly when we’re faithful and true,

Because it’s training ground for bigger things

Knowing God sees all we do.

So next time we feel insignificant

Let’s take these examples to see,

That God always uses the humble ones

So His plans are established indeed!

(C) P.B. 2021

“Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel.  And Samuel said to Jesse, ‘The Lord has not chosen these.’” 1 Samuel 16:10

“There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep.  And Samuel said to Jesse, ‘Send and bring him, for we will not sit down till he comes here.’  So he sent and brought him in.  Now he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking.  And the Lord said, ‘Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!.’”  1 Samuel 16:11-12

“So I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey.”  Exodus 3:8

“But Moses said to God, ‘Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?’  So He said, ‘I will certainly be with you.’”  Exodus 3:11-12

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a Son and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, ‘God with us.’”  Matthew 1:23

‘And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”  Luke 2:7

“…but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.”  Matthew 20:26

“I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.”  John 10:14

“I have glorified You on the earth.  I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.  And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.”  John 17:4-5

“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things.  Enter into the joy of the lord.’”  Matthew 25:21

It was a profound statement

That proceeded from Apostle Paul,

‘For when I am weak, then I am strong’

Sounding paradoxical after all.

But he had the revelation

That our strength comes from the Lord,

And the more we’re humbled we come to understand

The truth in His holy word.

We may believe that our physical strength

May put us to an advantage,

Or that our knowledge is superior

Or where our bank account is managed.

Illusions are filled with fantasy

Of how we’d like to be,

But when deceived to believe the lies

Where we clearly cannot see.

Samson was the strongest

But when temptation knocked,

He was led like a lamb to the slaughter

As his secret was unlocked.

When people use force to control

Or to manipulate as well,

It’s an illusion of strength with no foundation

Where disasters it will spell.

Our physical strength does crumble

And our knowledge will puff up,

Whilst our bank account may dwindle

As we all return to dust.

Through faith we are made strong

As the battles are subdued,

Where out of weakness we’re made strong

With a hope that is renewed.

Only God has the ultimate strength

And it’s found in His great love;

Unfailing and unshakeable

And pure from above.

(C) P.B. 2021

“For when I am weak, then I am strong.”  2 Corinthians 12:10

“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.’”  2 Corinthians 12:9

“For by strength no man shall prevail.”  1 Samuel 2:9

“We know that we all have knowledge.  Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.”  1 Corinthians 8:1

“And it came to pass, when she pestered him daily with her words and pressed him, so that his soul was vexed to death, that he told her all his heart, and said to her, ‘No razor has ever come upon my head…  If I am shaven, then my strength will leave me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man.’”  Judges 16:16-17

“Then she lulled him to sleep on her knees, and called for a man and had him shave off the seven locks of his head.  Then she began to torment him, and his strength left him.”  Judges 16:19

“He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”  1 John 4:8

“Who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.” Hebrews 11:33-34

“Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.”  Psalm 24:8

It’s the most virtuous character trait

Because it emulates the heart of love;

Under the Father’s full authority

As it acknowledges the Lord above.

As we confess to Him our sins

And thank Him for forgiveness too;

We submit to His authority

And to His sovereignty so true.

He always exalts the humble

As the exalted come tumbling down,

Because there is One who alone is worthy

To wear that sacred crown.

It’s not natural to be humble

Because the heart is deceitful indeed,

When we want to be acknowledged

With the desire to be seen.

But the way up is to bow down

To the holy and pure One;

As He blesses and guides in true justice

When His will is done.

By humility we fear the Lord

As He grants us life and peace;

Along with spiritual riches

That continue and never cease.

When we associate with the humble

We won’t set our mind on high things,

But have a low view of ourselves

With true wisdom this so brings.

Humility is obedient;

It is gentle and courteous,

With kindness and compassion

With the love it will disperse.

Humility is teachable

With a listening ear too;

It’s eager for good works

To benefit others in all we do.

Humility will seek forgiveness

And is not argumentative;

It will not attempt to prove it’s right

But serves others and it gives.

But the opposite of humility

Is pride and all its ways,

That looks down on others believing it’s better

Where quarrels can fill the day.

The epitome of humility

Was crowned with thorns and hung on a tree,

To demonstrate the meaning of love

So God’s grace we’ll truly see.

(C) P.B. 2021

“Seek the Lord, all you meek of the earth, who have upheld His justice.  Seek righteousness, seek humility.  It may be that you will be hidden in the day of the Lord’s anger.”  Zephaniah 2:3

“By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life.”  Proverbs 22:4

“The humble He guides in justice, and the humble He teaches His way.”  Psalm 25:9

“The Lord lifts up the humble; He casts the wicked down to the ground.”  Psalm 147:6

“Therefore, whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”  Matthew 18:4

‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”  James 4:6

“For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”  Luke 14:11

“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”  James 4:10

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.”  1 Peter 5:6

“Remove the turban, and take off the crown; Nothing shall remain the same.  Exalt the humble, and humble the exalted.”  Ezekiel 21:26

“Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.”  Proverbs 16:19

“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”  Proverbs 16:18

“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:8-11

God gives and He takes

As it’s all in His sovereign hand,

And all according to His will

And according to His plan.

He’s gracious and so tender

And blesses far abundantly,

When He caters to the riches of our soul

So restoration we can see.

When His hand does take away

He’s seen the bigger picture,

And although it’s grievous at the time

We become spiritually richer.

Because we’re not in control of many things;

Life and death is one of them,

And it’s only by grace we wake each day

When His mercy He extends.

Our life is in His hands

Whether or not we acknowledge this,

And our conscience knows deep within

That the universe is His.

We may choose to suppress it

Or to ignore His providence,

But it will not change reality

Whether we see life through our lens.

He’s majestic in awe and wonder

And supernatural in all His ways,

But He humbled Himself to become one of us

But with no honour or any praise.

It was God’s wisdom to give us Jesus;

A humble servant who sacrificed,

Who gave His all – His entire life

Such a blessing is our Christ.

God gave us Jesus but took Him away

As it was all part of His plan,

To redeem our soul and to reconcile

So we’re placed in His safe hands.

(C) P.B. 2021

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there.  The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.”  Job 1:21

“The Lord kills and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and brings up.  The Lord makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and lifts up.”  1 Samuel 2:6-7

“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:19

“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made”.  Romans 1:20

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.”  Ephesians 1:17-19

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”  Ephesians 2:4-6

“For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined…We went through fire and through water; But You brought us out to rich fulfilment.”  Psalm 66:10-12

It’s none of our business

As to what people think of us,

Because it’s only their opinion;

It’s what God thinks we ought to trust.

It’s none of our business

As to what people do,

Because when vanity becomes a lifestyle

It conceals all that is true.

When we confide in God our plans

He already knows indeed,

But we find out if it’s in His will

As we rest and are set free.

It’s none of our business

If people really care,

Because the heart is eventually exposed

And if it’s not – it’s very rare.

It’s none of our business

As to what people think,

Because we all have a conscience

And because God does know all things.

We shouldn’t play the role

Of manager of the universe,

Because it’s God who is in total control

And His light He does disperse.

We can’t change anyone

It’s only God who touches the soul,

But we can faithfully plant good seeds

And watch God water them behold!

We can only pray for loved ones

As we sincerely intercede,

And wait patiently on God’s timing

So their salvation we may see.

But it does become our business

When the arrows they do pierce,

Our children and our loved ones

And when the battle becomes fierce.

It becomes God’s business

When the apple of His eye,

Is persecuted or abused

Or slandered with the many lies.

When we understand healthy boundaries

There is no need to stress,

Knowing God is sovereign and it’s all for His glory

As only He knows what is best.

Jesus went about

To do the Father’s will indeed,

With a special mission and a vision

Where God’s business He did see.

(C) P.B. 2021

“That you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands.” 1 Thessalonians 4:11

“He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a dog by the ears.”  Proverbs 26:17

“For thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye.’”  Zechariah 2:8

“And He said to them, ‘Why did you seek Me?  Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?’”  Luke 2:49

“But Lord, what about this man? Jesus said to him, ‘If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.'” John 21:21-22

When the tears fall like raindrops

And when the heavy heart does cry,

Your gentle touch will envelop us

So our sadness will subside.

You are there in troubled waters

And in moments of despair;

You will wrap Your kindness around our soul

To show You really care.

You are there in pleasant times

And although we may forget,

It’s Your grace that will protect us

As our steady safety net.

You are always there regardless

And from Your presence we can’t hide,

You’re our fairest and our best friend

When in You we do confide.

You’re our shield and rear guard

And under Your wings we take refuge;

You cover us with Your feathers;

Our humble prayers You won’t refuse.

Lord, You will always be there

With open arms that extend,

To comfort and to console us

To rescue us and to defend.

There’s no reason we should worry

Knowing that You’ll take good care,

Of our heart and soul forevermore

When we trust You’re always there.

(C) P.B. 2021

“Where can I go from Your Spirit?  Or where can I flee from Your presence?  If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.”  Psalm 139:7-8

“He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge.”  Psalm 91:4

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.”  Psalm 84:11

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him.”  Psalm 28:7

“I cried to the Lord with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill.”  Psalm 3:4

“O you afflicted one, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay your stones with colourful gems, and lay your foundations with sapphires, I will make your pinnacles of rubies, your gates of crystal, and all your walls of precious stones.” Isaiah 54:11-12

“…but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.”  John 15:15

“And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’  And he was called the friend of God.”  James 2:23 

The battle is real

But God’s more real indeed,

And He comforts us and will protect

As we ask Him to intercede.

The battle is on for our heart;

Although it’s invisible we can see

That the enemy of our soul

Is as ruthless as can be.

He comes to kill and to destroy

And will rob us of our peace;

He has a perfect hatred towards us

And his deception he’ll release.

He comes to strip away our joy

And will lie that God’s not there;

He is envious of God’s creation

And sincerely does not care.

He sets his foot in many arenas

In order to infiltrate,

And although it’s masked as something good

There is underlying hate.

He counterfeits all that God does

And masquerades as an angel of light,

And will try to influence those complacent

Who refuse to fight the fight.

The battle is definitely on

And targets every family,

To divide and cause much friction

So God’s abundance will not be seen.

But it’s the inner battle of the heart

That causes chaos and much pain,

When we blame everyone else indeed

And where faith does not remain.

We all suffer in different ways

But cannot blame God indeed,

Because most times it’s self-induced

Or perhaps self-centred ways we see.

The battle is real 

But are we prepared in our field?

Is our armor fastened for protection

And do we hold that faithful shield?

The enemy has lost the battle

Because Jesus is victor indeed,

And when Christ is Lord and Savior

For our soul He intercedes.

But we cannot be complacent

Or compromising in any way,

Because those fiery darts will target our mind

Where deception may remain.

Beloved, let’s not toy with eternity

Because it’s as real as the air we breathe,

There’s a reason Christ suffered so much for us

As it was God’s plan to intervene.

Jesus won the battle

At the cross at Calvary,

And nailed every sin upon that tree

So we can truly be set free.

(C) P.B 2021

“Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil…above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.”  Ephesians 6:11-16

“Be sober; be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”  1 Peter 5:8

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

“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life…”. 2 Timothy 6:12

“Therefore, if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”  John 8:36

Lord, You’re majestic in all Your ways

So creative in Your touch;

Like an architect You’ve sketched Your design

That you love so very much.

It’s outstanding and phenomenal

How You’ve orchestrated same,

With a unique beauty and a fingerprint

Where no seam it will remain.

Every creation has a story

And part of Your grand plan,

As it furnishes the earth somehow

And orchestrated by Your hand.

How marvelous are Your works

And our soul does know too well;

Every detail and embellishment

Your brilliance it does spell.

We’re in awe of Your beauty

And the majesty of all,

Where there’s a purpose for everything You’ve made

Particularly when our name You call.

How regal are Your masterpieces

Yet how humble are Your ways,

When you gave us Your only begotten Son

Who secures our eternal days.

When we stop to meditate

On the splendour of Your ways,

There’s a joyful fountain that’s released

When we sing to give You praise.

Our soul it dances to the beat;

To the melody of Your word,

It rejoices and it claps its hand

To the promises of the Lord.

Your beauty it surpasses all;

You’re the most brilliant in every way,

And we give You all the thanks and glory

As You enrich our every day.

You are rich and filled with wonder

But show no partiality indeed,

Since You view everyone equally

Where the heart and soul You see.

We glorify Your holy name

There is truly none like You;

So wonderful and pure as well

And inspiring in all You do.

You are the master designer

Where careful thought and consideration,

Has brought to life all Your abundance

A true and beautiful sensation.

(C) P.B. 2021

“I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.”  Psalm 139:14

“In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.  But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.”  Acts 10:34-35

“But as it is written:  ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love him.’”  1 Corinthians 2:9

‘Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!  For His mercy endures forever.”  Psalm 118:1

“It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.”  Psalm 118:8

“For among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like You.”  Jeremiah 10:7

“But the Lord is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King.”  Jeremiah 10:10

“He has made the earth by His power, He has established the world by His wisdom, and stretched out the heavens at His discretion, when He utters His voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens: And He causes the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth, He makes lightning for the rain, He brings the wind out of His treasuries.”  Jeremiah 10:12-13