Author: parasbovolos

Mammon is an influence…

It’s an object of devotion,

And when it is unwisely used

It can cause heartache and commotion.

Mammon always appears appealing

But can never be the source,

Of true happiness and satisfaction

Since it’s a temporary force.

As it can never fill the empty void

Deep inside our soul,

And no matter what we do with it

More trouble it unfolds.

Material abundance will rob our sleep

And steal us of much peace;

It may promise quality, beauty and comfort,

But our problems will never cease.

It can eat away at our health

When stress levels are too high;

As all unnecessary yokes and burdens

Will either make us sick or die.

And when it’s stored for selfish pursuits

Where pleasures are one after another…

It consumes our self-centred motives

Neglecting the needs of others.

If we do accumulate much wealth

Let’s ensure its properly used;

To feed the poor, provide for the widow

And where the orphan is not abused.

Jesus made it very clear

That two masters cannot be served…

We will either serve God or mammon instead

And hence reap the reward we deserve.

(C) P.B. 2019

“How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For 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.” Luke 18:24-25

“He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker; but he who honours Him has mercy on the needy.” Proverbs 14:31

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will be loyal to the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:24

“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… for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21

 

If God wasn’t humble

He’d be continually in our face;

Pointing His finger at our wretched sin

Instead of extending His grace.

But God is very humble

And works in the hearts indeed;

He transforms and renews us

When He works behind the scenes.

He has given us a conscience

So we can know what’s right from wrong;

He’s stamped eternity in our hearts

So we know to Him we belong.

He has given us Jesus Christ

As His representative on earth,

And His crucifixion and resurrection

Heralds our new birth.

He has given us creation

So impeccable and perfect;

His signature upon every creature

As a sign we won’t forget.

But it’s the enemy of our dear soul

That’s loud and proud indeed;

Causing heartache, chaos and every bad way

As he plants his wicked seed.

The majesty of the universe

Yet a mere manger was used,

To cradle the babe of salvation

So true wisdom cannot be abused.

God is perfect yet humble as well

So holy, majestic and true;

There’s no excuse if we reject Him

Since He’s given us every clue.

(C) P.B. 2019

“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.” Romans 1:20

“Also He has put eternity in their hearts..” Ecclesiastes 3:11

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

When we become an heir

We can claim legal rights;

To a property or to a rank

To a token or a prize.

An heir will always inherit

A favour undeserved;

Since it’s a gift and not through works

Where mercy has been served.

An heir inherits everything

From his predecessor’s list;

It’s an unexpected blessing

Where no detail has been missed.

But an heir that is truly rich

Has tasted the Lord’s grace;

An heir according to eternal life

Justified and thus embraced.

There are spiritual riches in abundance

By His grace, an undeserved gift;

Where there’s beauty for ashes and restoration

Where from the miry clay He lifts.

An heir that embraces life eternal

Is the most precious inheritance of all;

A glorious expectation

When our precious name God calls.

It’s never through our righteousness

But according to mercy and love;

He washes us and renews us

And pours out abundantly from above.

We were once steeped in foolishness

Deceived and serving various lusts;

Disobedient to our Heavenly Father

And so stubbornly robust.

But our Savior extended kindness

And thus we were compelled;

We inherited all His spiritual riches

And now avoid judgement and hell.

Let’s ensure we do inherit

Everlasting life through Christ,

Since it’s the very best inheritance

And all that will suffice.

(C) P.B. 2019

“For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit when He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:3-7

When we understand the quality

And with gratitude we recognise…

There’s an appreciation that’s significant

When one is precious in our eyes.

When one is absent for some time

And there’s a reconciliation;

There’s a thankful attitude that fills our heart

Along with appreciation.

It reminds us to never take for granted

Their loving and caring ways,

And a timely reminder of a life so brief

That sustains our earthly days.

To appreciate someone it may just mean

That their absence is required;

For a moment in time so we realise

That their presence is desired.

To appreciate is to hold in high esteem

With respect and honour too;

It’s to notice the treasures in little things

And the wonderful things they do.

As we appreciate these dear souls

That are sent from God to us,

Let’s remember that we’ll give an account

Those embedded in our trust.

As we’re reunited with loved ones

Following a period of isolation,

Let’s shower them with cuddles

And lots of love without hesitation.

Although one’s absence can be missed

Especially after a time prolonged;

It’s a wakeup call as we remember

That for their affection we have longed.

And as we show appreciation

In particular to our Heavenly Father;

We’ll display love, kindness and faithfulness

As we appreciate one another.

(C) P.B. 2020

James 2:8

1 Corinthians 13:13

1 John 4:19

As the seed falls to the ground

And it comes to its demise;

It is born again and flourishes

Into a plant it becomes alive.

As the web of life continues

And the caterpillar dies;

It leaves behind its past

As a butterfly arrives.

From a seed into a flower

All creation is glorified,

To reveal the truth of God

Which can never be denied.

As our sinful deceitful ways

Are surrendered to Christ we die,

We become a new creation

As our spirit becomes alive.

And our body it decays

As this shell is only dust,

Our glorified bodies are prepared

By God only if we trust.

To trust that Jesus died and rose

This example we take to see,

That when we die we awake

To dwell forever in heaven with He.

(C) P.B. 2002

“Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection.”  Revelation 20:6

Our Lord was never religious

As He walked this earth;

He highlighted the hypocrisy

And invited spiritual rebirth.

He rebuked the Pharisees

For imposing man-made traditions,

Whilst they enjoyed their mighty

Proud and elevated positions.

The public were burdened much

As they tried to fulfil the law,

But as humans they faltered

Broke one command, hence breaking all.

Our Jesus He eased the yoke

Fulfilled the law and set us free;

As our Passover Lamb He shed His blood

So from God’s wrath we can finally flee.

And this act of compassion

Should never be boxed as religion;

As it opened the gate to a personal faith

To obey, trust God and to share His vision.

Never institute your love for God

But instead reach Him free and openly…

With extended arms and heart

To enter heaven through Jesus only.

(C) P.B. 2002

“Woe to you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.”  Matthew 23:15

Pretend you had a short time

Only a breath left here on earth…

How would your final hours be spent

Would you wish to be rebirthed?

The memories would linger long

As your life was just a vapour;

The vanity and pleasures spent

Like ink erased from paper.

Your thoughts were incorruptible

As you relied on your own strength;

The material gain which ruled your life

Your days it cut at length.

Your soul was crying out for truth

As your busy days increased;

Your life came with a warranty

As your days on earth were leased.

And now you finally realised

That your life was never yours,

As the spirit of deception

Had opened the wrong doors.

And left your life in misery

As true peace was far away;

You searched for treasure on this earth

And forgot to kneel and pray.

But in your final waking hours

God gently whispers in your heart,

And is making one soft final plea

Your soul to be set apart.

To forget the nature of this world

And the sin which governs it;

To commit your life to Jesus Christ

As the jigsaw pieces fit.

So when the final breath arrives

In your heart and soul you’re sure…

That heaven’s gate awaits your name

In eternity forevermore.

(C) P.B. 2002

“As he came from his mother’s womb, naked shall he return, to go as he came; And he shall take nothing from his labor which he may carry away in his hand.”  Ecclesiastes 5:15

I remember once hearing the truth

Yet my heart so proud it resisted;

Continued with life, was so busy

My name in “The Book” was not listed.

Not listed to enter heaven

To spend it with God everafter;

Was blinded, so wretched and lost

Continued with life and its laughter.

The world and all its temptations

In sin I lived and enjoyed;

My feet were walking to hell

And my soul with fire it toyed.

But the light it shone in my heart

And exposed all humanity’s sin;

My mind so shocked to discover

My soul was so empty within.

So glad that I finally discovered

That Jesus had paid for my life;

The blood which was shed on the cross

All my darkness was cut with a knife.

No longer I long for man’s wisdom

Or acceptance and philosophical ways;

I look to the truth of eternity

To secure my heavenly days.

(C) P.B. 2002

“..because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord.”  Hebrews 8:9

Are you gambling with eternal life

As your views seem to be right?

You retain your proud and selfish ways

The results are dark as night…

And as the dice is rolled

Your attitudes are revealed;

As the devil deals your cards

Your eternity he has sealed.

Surrender all, submit to God

For your entire life to change;

To discover true fulfilment

Which God can easily arrange.

As the casino in your heart

Becomes bankrupt once for all…

You surrender all your cards

As you hear the voice of God’s call.

As an exchange takes place indeed

And your heart accepts the light;

You wonder why it took so long

For your soul you’ve learnt to fight.

Our God is always perfect

And negates dark evil ways;

It is our own personal choice

To make a decision every day.

Either we make satan our master

By continuing to serve ourselves…

Or to follow God Almighty

For Him in our heart to dwell.

(C) P.B. 2002

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Proverbs 16:25

Why do we find it difficult

To submit our hearts in prayer;

To cast all our burdens to the Lord

Knowing that we’re in good care?

We are busy most the time

And the flesh is just too weak,

To bow our knees on humble ground

To submit to God, be meek.

But the battle is always won

When we pray with all of our heart,

And express all the yearnings

From our soul, our deepest part.

And the fiery darts are conquered

As the sweet aroma rises,

Of our deep expression to Jesus

To receive blessings full of surprises.

(C) P.B. 2002

“..but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:6