Author: parasbovolos

In the end it will not matter

Whether we’ve achieved all in our life,

Because blessed is the soul who is forgiven

Where God’s mercy will suffice.

In the end it simply will not count

If we’ve made a successful living,

But rather whether our heart was right with God

And whether it was forgiving.

God won’t look at our possessions

To give us an applause,

But will look at the hidden motives within

And whether we were inspired by His cause.

In the end it will not matter

Whether our externals were correct,

Because everything ages and will sag

And our beauty they’ll forget.

It’s the motives of the heart He watches

And whether the new birth we did see,

To become reconciled with God through Christ

To be who we were created to be.

In the end we all will stand

To individually give account,

Let’s ensure we are covered by Christ

And to present all that will count.

The end of the race

Is really what will matter,

And unless we’re trained to endure the pain

Our dream of winning can be shattered.

It’s a long and narrow path

Where all baggage cannot sustain,

Nor can enter through the eye of the needle

Where only an imperishable crown remains.

(C) P.B. 2021

“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.  Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.”  Psalm 32:1-2

“And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us.  And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.”  Colossians 2:13-14

“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

“For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy towards those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.  As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him.”  Psalm 103:11-13

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:  Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies..”  Psalm 103:2-4

“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

“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

“He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.” Matthew 10:39

We’ve heard it many times

‘If there is a God indeed,

Why is there so much evil

And why does He not intercede?’

And again, ‘If there is a God

Why do people suffer with cancer,

And children sold as sex slaves?’

As they eagerly await the answer.

There is no clear answer

Since we’re not God or have His mind,

But there are several possibilities

To leave all doubt behind.

Firstly, most issues are self-induced

And to this we can testify,

Because if evil flows from the lips

It will kiss all peace goodbye.

Secondly, there is an adversary

The enemy of our soul,

Who comes to kill and to destroy

And to cause suffering is his goal.

Thirdly, there are worldly ways

Where negativity and all its greed,

Will bring to life confusion

And many doubts our mind it feeds.

There also is much jealousy

Where inwardly the curses flow,

And anxieties combined with fear

That become our greatest foes.

Additionally, there is the heart

That is defiled from within,

When it chooses to reject the Lord

And continue in its sin.

Bad things happen all the time

That’s why we need protection,

In the spiritual realm that is more real

Which requires much reflection.

If God eliminated all wickedness

He’d have to wipe us all away,

Because there is none righteous, no not one

Who is sinless every day.

God is real and He is pure

And abhors all evil indeed,

And has reserved a day of judgement

In which He will intercede.

He’s being kind and patient

And it’s His will that none will perish,

And is waiting for repentance

And for His ways we adopt and cherish.

He’ll judge according to our faith and works

As all will be revealed,

So let’s encourage one another to get right with Him

Where our eternity is sealed.

(C) P.B. 2021

“He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit.”  1 Peter 3:10

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

“Do not love the world or the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world.  And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”  1 John 2:15-17

“For love is strong as death, jealousy as cruel as the grave, its flames are flames of fire, a most vehement flame.”  Song of Solomon 8:6

“For God is not the author of confusion but of peace…”. 1 Corinthians 14:33

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it?”  Jeremiah 17:9

“And it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgement.”  Hebrews 9:27

“But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgement.”  Matthew 12:36

“Who will render to each one according to his deeds, eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honour, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness – indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil…”. Romans 2:6-9

“And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened.  And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life.  And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.”  Revelation 20:12

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”  2 Peter 3:9

It will never come with horns

Nor with a red cape too,

But rather as everything we’ve ever desired

That appears wholesome, good and true.

But when we eventually acquire

We realise it doesn’t fulfil,

Since the only true satisfaction

Is found in God’s plan and in His will.

Deception is a web

It’s a trap to entice our soul,

To make us believe we’ll be content

If we acquire that thing or goal.

Deception will hide the pitchfork

Because it comes as an angel of light,

To tempt and to bring delusions

But to appear with delight.

It’s through deception that people perish

When they believe their way is right,

And too arrogant to take correction

Or too nonchalant to fight the fight.

Jesus warns of deceptions

Because He knew too very well,

Satan’s schemes and all his tactics

With all disasters they do spell.

Don’t trust those who promise the world

Or if the offer is too good,

Because most times there’s a trap

With underlying motives not understood.

Because our fleshly and our carnal ways

Like to be tantalised indeed,

With one more thrill and a little excitement

With some new adventure to see.

Deception feeds on lust

And will gain a true stronghold,

When idolatry and all covetous ways

In our soul take a grip and hold.

Deception is a sword

And most times we’ll never know,

Because we can be sincere but sincerely wrong

And in vain our seed we sow.

God is not a God of confusion

And will renew and cleanse our mind,

To give clarity with His wisdom

So we leave deceptive tactics behind.

(C) P.B. 2021

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

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”  Proverbs 14:12

“The woman said, ‘The serpent deceived me, and I ate.’”  Genesis 3:13

“Do not desire his delicacies, For they are deceptive food.”  Proverbs 23:3

“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 Jesus answered and said to them:  ‘Take heed that no one deceives you.’”  Matthew 24:4

“And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.  By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgement has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.”  2 Peter 2:2-3

What will it profit us

If we gain the world but lose our soul;

To have abundance with all the riches

But rot in eternity behold?

What will it profit us

If we’re the most successful in our field?

Since it’s the eternal rewards that really count

Where dividends they yield.

Granted we’re to put our heart

Into everything we do,

But unless we give God all the glory

The reward cannot be true.

To have the latest and the greatest

Leads to much deception indeed,

Because that spirit of competition

To much depression it can lead.

When many place themselves in debt

To outdo their neighbour as well,

This can only lead to heartache

And disaster it can spell.

What’s the point of being beautiful

With a body that is inspiring,

When the inside is filled with covetousness

And constantly desiring?

Because it’s the beauty that’s incorruptible

Of a gentle and quiet spirit,

With kindness and with meekness

And much joy and peace within it.

What’s the point of climbing corporate ladders

When manipulation does take place,

And where all morals and all ethics

Do not combine or interface?

What’s the point of self-centredness

When one day it comes to an end,

And where vanity took a firm stronghold

With strong delusions that it sent?

What’s the point of appearing

To have it all and altogether,

But where foundations they are shallow

And no trials they will weather?

What does it profit in the end

If for self-serving ways we lived,

And for our glory and our pleasure

Where our heart refused to give?

What on earth does it profit

If we lose our precious soul?

Let’s wake up and let’s repent

Before it’s much too late behold!

(C) P.B. 2021

“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?  Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”  Matthew 16:26

‘Rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.”  1 Peter 3:4

“Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”  Luke 12:15

“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 9:25

When we first heard of Christ’s sacrifice

What feelings did it evoke?

Were we angry and rejected same

Or did we allow the thoughts to soak?

Were we cross at the prospect

That a Savior is required?

Or were we delighted with the good news

And with joy we were inspired?

The cross is foolishness indeed

To those who are perishing,

Since the Gentiles seek after wisdom

And the philosophies this brings.

Philosophies won’t fill that hole

Neither will riches or status too,

Because we’re created to have a relationship

With a holy God so pure and true.

The cross is a stumbling block

To the beloved chosen ones,

Because Christ the Messiah did not represent

The political savior to come.

When we’re cross at the cross

The question should be asked,

Why does it bring upheaval

With unsettling thoughts so vast?

The cross is a gift to us

Whether we realise this or not,

Because it’s where we cross to eternal life

And delivered from sin and rot.

If we’re cross at the cross

And reject the Savior of our soul,

We’re doing ourselves injustice

With eternal consequences behold!

But when we cross at the cross

Eternal life we’ll see,

Because it’s the bridge that fills the gap

Where God’s redemption it will be.

So if we become disturbed

When we hear of Christ’s sacrifice,

Let’s examine and analyse our heart

So we’re set free from all the lies.

The day Christ resurrected

Is one to be celebrated indeed,

And although He suffered greatly

It was for us to intercede.

So instead of being cross

Let’s rejoice with thanksgiving,

That the cross was used so we can cross

To life with new beginnings.

(C) P.B. 2021

“The cross of Christ will either make us cross, or it will make us cross-over into eternal life.”  P.B

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.  For it is written:  ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.’”  1 Corinthians 1:18-19

“For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness.”  1 Corinthians 1:22-23

“But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty.”  1 Corinthians 1:27

“For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”  1 Corinthians 2:2

“…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

Every day is like a handbreadth

And like a shadow are our days;

A simple vapour in the wind

Are our thoughts and all our ways.

Our frailty is known

By the One who understands;

Who has measured our every day

By the sovereignty of His hand.

Teach us to keep Your precepts

And open our eyes to eternity,

And keep a guard over our soul

To resist all the vanity.

At his best man is vapour

Like a flower in all its glory;

Who will boast in his achievements

To invent just one more story.

Surely all is vanity

When riches they are heaped,

Not knowing who will gather them

And not knowing what they’ll keep.

When You rebuke us Lord

It’s for our best interests indeed,

Because You’ve seen our beginning and our end

So it’s wise when we take heed.

Every day is like a handbreadth

Short and sweet just like our palm,

And the bridge between us and You

Is Your outstretched arm.

The arm that crosses over

Where the cross at Calvary,

Redeemed us through Christ’s sacrifice

So eternal life we see.

You’ll never leave us nor forsake us

As You remember we’re just a breath;

A speck in the scheme of eternity

Where our days are just handbreadths!

(C) P.B. 2021

“Lord, make me to know my end, and what is the measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am.  Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, and my age is as nothing before You; Certainly every man at his best state is but vapour, surely every man walks about like a shadow; Surely they busy themselves in vain, he heaps up riches, and does not know who will gather them.”  Psalm 39:4-6

“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have.  For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’”  Hebrews 13:5

“All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass.  The grass withers and its flower falls away, but the word of the Lord endures forever.”  1 Peter 1:24

“But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.”  1 Timothy 6:9

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.  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 19:23-24

“Your hands have made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding that I may learn Your commandments.”  Psalm 119:73

“Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, and I shall keep it to the end.”  Psalm 119:33

Help us Lord and set a guard

Over the door of our lips,

Because whatever is deep inside our heart

From our mouth will eventually slip.

Destructive ways and troubles

Can emanate from within;

Along with meaningless and trifle matters

With outcomes filled with sin.

We either bless or we curse

With what proceeds from our tongue,

And when we’re vigilant with our words

They’re a blessing to everyone.

Our words affect our world

Because either way they bring,

Peace or troubled moments

When they’re released from within.

Our tongue is a tiny member

But can boast many things,

Setting fire on all our issues

Along with heartache it so brings.

Our words cannot be retracted

And regret can remain,

When like arrows they do proceed

To cause chaos in every way.

When wisdom is acquired 

There’s no need to always speak,

But to pray as to whether we should respond

When the Father’s face we seek.

Our words have repercussions

And when like symbols they do clang,

They’re like a spider’s web to set a trap

And like the poison of a fang.

We actually believe

That we’re decent from within,

Until a situation presents itself

Revealing many traits of sin.

Anger is debilitating

And will destroy relationships too,

Because the root problem emanating from within

Is not dealt with through and through.

But unless we cry out to the Lord

And ask Him to intercede,

We’ll continue in familiar ways

Where true peace we will not see.

Because His Spirit does refresh

And will cleanse us from within,

As we examine every thought

Once we’re delivered from our sin.

(C) P.B. 2021

“Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.”  Psalm 141:3

“Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles.”  Proverbs 21:23

“He who guards his mouth preserves his life, but he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.”  Proverbs 13:3

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.”  1 Corinthians 13:1

“Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things.  See how great a forest a little fire kindles!  And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity.  The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature…”. James 3:5-6

“Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing.”  James 3:10

“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”  James 3:17

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  1 John 1:9

We hear it many times

To keep an ‘open mind’ indeed,

But in all honesty we need to ask

What exactly does this mean?

Is it to encompass every idea

And believe every word that’s said?

Or is it to be nonchalant

Or to believe our thoughts instead?

When we loathe that a holy God

Will be sovereign in our lives,

It’s because our philosophies take priority

As we’ve fallen for the lies.

Philosophies can be good

But they’ll never lead to salvation,

Since they’re mainly focused on good works

And not on Christ’s foundation.

Society believes that those of faith

Are closed minded indeed,

And narrow in their approach as well

Where oppressive ways they feed.

When God’s word offends us

It’s a natural reaction indeed,

Because when we idolise our carnal ways

We refuse to listen and to take heed.

But God’s thoughts are not like ours

As He’s superior to all,

And extends revelation of His ways

When our name He calls.

When we humble ourselves

And revere God Almighty,

We realise we’re just a vapour

And not so strong and mighty.

When we enter through that narrow gate

Our heart and soul is open to see,

God’s brilliance and His majesty

And how His hand does intercede.

We should take care with caution

When we promote an ‘open mind’,

Because when anything goes and all is acceptable

Our morals are left behind.

God has a standard

And it’s promoted in His word,

To take captive and renew our thoughts

To coincide with the Lord’s.

To have an open mind

Should leave our selfish ways behind,

With our arrogant and unkind ways

So our thoughts with God can be aligned.

When we’re open to Jesus Christ

And receive His sacrifice,

We’re open to eternal life

And closed minded to heretical lies.

(C) P.B. 2021

“Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.”  Colossians 2:8

“For the weapons of warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ…”  2 Corinthians 10:5

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”  Isaiah 55:8-9

“And be renewed in the spirit of your mind..”  Ephesians 4:23

“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”  Ephesians 4:29

“Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him..”  Luke 24:31

“And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.”  Luke 24:45

“Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”  Matthew 7:14

No trial or tribulation

Or pain and torture too,

Will ever compare to those in hell:

A place that’s real and true.

We like to believe all rest in peace

Without the writhing in agony too,

When our humanistic and worldly ways

Want to determine what is true.

When God says ‘Depart from Me’

To those who believe were His,

Imagine the level of deception

And the lies that have bred within.

When Jesus sits at the centre

Of our heart and in all we do,

There is clarity in our decisions

With His wisdom that is true.

Our friends may appear sincere

But their opinions can lead us to hell,

When they’re not grounded in the word of God

Where truth and righteousness does dwell.

Because the gate is truly narrow

As Christ proclaims He is the way,

And the truth and life that leads to God

Where this fact always remains.

Jesus spoke of hell

And several times indeed,

And we sincerely know He never lied

But warned us gently to take heed.

When we examine ourselves

And forgive those who do us wrong,

God’s forgiveness will extend to us

With His grace so pure and strong.

These words are penned with love

And never to judge or to condemn,

But as a warning and a timely reminder

That God’s judgement will be sent.

A loving God demands justice

As He’s sincere and holy too,

And given that we all fall short

We need the Holy Spirit to be renewed.

As long as there is breath

There’s time to repent and change:

To rest in greener pastures

Where God’s mercy will remain.

Nothing will compare 

To God’s grace and forgiveness too,

Hence the sacrifice of Jesus Christ

Who expressed His love for me and you.

(C) P.B. 2021

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction and there are many who go in by it.”  Matthew 7:13

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.  Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”  Matthew 7:21-23

“It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire – ‘where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.’”  Mark 9:47-48

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  Romans 3:23

“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”  Matthew 6:14-15

“Therefore the Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you; And therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you.  For the Lord is a God of justice; Blessed are all those who wait for Him.”  Isaiah 30:18

“Now ‘if the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?’” 1 Peter 4:18

“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

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me.’”  John 14:6

How wonderful is Your tabernacle

And secure Your covering;

A resting place for our soul

Where love and peace it brings.

Better is one day in Your courts

Than a thousand days elsewhere,

As Your Spirit and Your presence

Can never be compared.

One day in Your courts

Renews our strength and grace,

Because it’s only You that provides true peace

When we seek You face to face.

One day in Your courts

Provides a sweet smelling scent;

A fragrance that ignites our soul

When we sincerely do repent.

You withhold no good thing

From those who respect You Lord;

Who understand Your riches

That are found in Your word.

One day in Your courts

Should become a daily visitation,

When our soul is hungry for Your truth:

To absorb without hesitation.

Blessed is the soul

Whose hope is found in You,

And covered by Your love and grace

When the heart is renewed.

The worldly ways can rob our soul

With negativity and jealousies,

But to spend one day in Your courts

Much joy and peace we’ll see.

None can compare to You

As you reignite our soul,

When the fruit of the spirit is deposited

Within to seal that hole.

One day in Your courts

Where the sunshine never ends;

Where our heart and soul cries out for You:

When our praise to You we send.

(C) P.B. 2021

“For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand.”  Psalm 84:10

“How lovely is Your tabernacle, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the Lord; My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.”  Psalm 84:1-2

“Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; They will still be praising You.”  Psalm 84:4

“Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, whose heart is set on pilgrimage.”  Psalm 84:5

“For the Lord 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

“O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in You!”  Psalm 84:12

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