Author: parasbovolos

I know of someone special

Who can wipe away my sin…

But to know Him personally

Gives my soul much peace within.

But I never knew Him deeply

The way that I do now;

I can trust in Him for guidance

And my knee to Him I bow.

My heart and soul is captured

By the beauty of His love;

He’s my Father up in heaven

As He watches from above.

I’m related by Christ’s blood

Which was shed at Calvary;

Our sweet Jesus Lord and Savior

Who died for you and me.

As His hand gently adopts me

And instructs the way of life;

I surrender all my being

As I become His bride and wife.

(C) P.B. 2004

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

Lord make me a disciple

As I learn Your noble ways,

My life to be surrendered

For Your glory and Your praise.

Remove the worldly traits

Which choke the soul within,

And raise Your holy banner

So new life can now begin.

Establish healthy patterns

As I learn to walk Your way,

And place compassion in my heart

For thirsty souls each day.

Remove excuses from my plate

As I learn to eat Your bread,

And may Your Spirit dwell within

My heart and not my head.

Lord train my feet to move

So I touch the hungry hearts,

Teach my soul to pray

So I’m truly set apart.

As I learn to hear Your voice

More like You I learn to be,

You prepare my home above

So Your face one day I’ll see.

(C) P.B. 2004

“So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.”  Luke 14:33

Is Jesus Lord of our life

Or is He Savior only?

Is our communion with Him fervent

Or is our Jesus lonely?

Is He the apple of our eye

As we are dear to Him?

Is our living fountain shallow

Or is it filled to the brim?

Is His voice so sensitive

Which prompts us to take action?

Or are we busy living life our way

Our time for him – a fraction?

The worst part about deception

Is not knowing we’re deceived;

The subtle poison is seductive

Just remember Adam and Eve.

Our Jesus should be Lord

Of our entire lives,

And as we’re led by His Spirit

In our heart our Savior thrives.

(C) P.B. 2004

“Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom…”. Matthew 7:21

How do we know my dear friend

Whether we are really saved?

It’s not written in the palm of our hand

Or how good we have behaved.

It isn’t laden in our talk

Or in our gentle manner;

Not even in our eloquence

Or by raising the Lord’s banner.

Not even as we come to church

To sing sweet melodies;

Or praying to Almighty God

As we bend our feeble knees.

It’s a burning passion deep inside

As Jesus is engraved;

In our heart and soul forevermore

Confirming we are saved.

By confessing with our mouth

And believing with our heart,

That Jesus died and rose again

We make a brand new start.

Let’s not deceive ourselves again

But know the awesome truth;

To burn with zeal to serve our Lord

While our days are in their youth.

(C) P.B. 2004

“Set your mind on things above…for you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”  Colossians 3:2-3

“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”  Romans 10:9-10

There’s something about volunteers

That puts a smile on our heart;

It shows they’re willing to sacrifice

As they fulfil their given part.

They volunteer to help indeed

But their efforts do not go unnoticed;

Since God takes note of everything

When they’re driven with a pure focus.

Volunteers are not paid

But they’re truly rich within,

Because their precious time is used to assist

And it’s much joy that this will bring.

Volunteers make a sacrifice

And their mission is very special;

They’ve learnt to give back to the community

They are indeed loving vessels.

A volunteer is humble

With no monetary reward in store,

But when they extend a helping hand and heart

There’s treasure evermore.

Missionaries are volunteers

And much respect goes out to same;

Who risk their lives to share the gospel

Whilst not desiring money or fame.

Since they do not let their left hand

Know what the right is to do;

Understanding that the reward is from God

With nothing to boast of or to prove.

The gospel should be preached

And done so voluntarily,

Since freely we’ve received from God

And we should share same for free.

And any offerings should entail

To assist those in need,

With provision for their physical needs

Whilst prayer is used to intercede.

Volunteers can greatly benefit

When they have a vision in mind;

Who sacrifice their time and effort

Hoping for employment to find.

Skills and expertise will come

When our time is volunteered,

Whilst we assist those persons who have a need

It reveals a heart that is sincere.

(C) P.B. 2020

“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them.  Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.” Matthew 6:1

“But when you do a charitable deed do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.”  Matthew 6:3

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good..” Luke 6:45

Externals are just merely

The outer shell of same;

The distinguished features of a facade

With a fancy name.

Externals can inspire us

When enhancements can be made,

Since they beautify our world

With a creativity that remains.

But eventually we take for granted

All that’s in our midst,

And perhaps want bigger and better

With more desires on our list.

Externals can be pretty

And are pleasant to the eye,

But there’s a wall that can hide the truth

That is cleverly disguised.

Externals are skin deep

And sometimes shallow too,

Since the true intents and the real motives

Will conceal all that is true.

Externals can be polite

For the sake of keeping peace,

And although the smile may be intact

The eyes the truth will release.

It’s easy to love those

Who love us in return,

But Jesus instructs us to love our enemies

And His ways we need to learn.

The only satisfaction

Is the depth that’s in our soul,

Where joy, peace and love will flood

Our heart where beauty unfolds.

Externals will never satisfy

Since they’re temporary in nature,

They can never fill us nor fulfill us

Since they’re transient in stature.

Externals can be deceptive

And we will never ever know,

When the focus is to impress others

And our integrity we forego.

Externals can be carnal

And can be seductive indeed,

To trap the simple and the foolish

When with lies the heart it feeds.

The Pharisees focused on externals

But were white washed tombs within,

Placing heavy burdens on their followers

But were laden with various sins.

Externals can be hypocritical

When there’s an image to maintain,

Because the approval of man becomes paramount

But where substance does not remain.

To draw water from deep wells

This will nourish our famished soul,

And look beyond what the eye can see

To discover true treasures behold.

Jesus spoke in parables

And those who desired the truth,

Could understand the deeper message

And produced much godly fruit.

The depth and meaning of Jesus’ words

Transforms many lives indeed,

They have authority and are convincing

With the conviction we all need.

(C) P.B. 2020

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.” Matthew 23:27

“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” Matthew 5:44

“To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God but to the rest it is given in parables, that ‘seeing they may not see and hearing they may not understand.'” Luke 8:10

“For the lips of an immoral woman drip honey, and her mouth is smoother than oil. But in the end she is bitter as wormwood.” Proverbs 5:3-4

“Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptious sins.” Psalm 19:12-13

We’ve heard the familiar saying

‘It’s what’s on the inside that counts’

And whilst there’s much truth in this

Many factors do abound.

We’re all like construction sites

Where much work is required;

So a cleansing and a sanctification

Is ultimately acquired.

Construction sites are messy

As work is conducted from the inside out,

And the dirty footprints along with the dust

Is what it’s all about.

Footprints on the surface of our heart

With all the pain this entails,

Having been used for our kindness

And fastened with many nails.

Ballustrades and many walls

Are familiar to our walk,

But they come crashing down indeed

Once the truth is revealed and taught.

Sometimes an explosion is required

In various construction sites,

To completely eradicate the old frame

So there’s nothing left in sight.

This paves the way for new beginnings

And sets us free from former days,

As we’re constructed with quality touches

To stand firm in all our ways.

Sometimes an implosion takes place

Whilst work is on the site,

And a remedy is urgently required

So the internals become right.

Construction sites are not appealing

Like a skeleton in its frame,

But once the vision is completed

It will never be the same.

Because the dirty laundry from within

Needs to be aired,

And all the thoughts and intents of the heart

Need to be stripped bare.

Because to look at someone with thoughts of lust

The deed is almost done,

Since the seed is sown which can come to fruition

Along with the heartache that comes.

It’s the thoughts, lusts and desires

That become toxins within,

And unless we repent and overcome

We’ll continue to live in sin.

But the finishing touches do take place

After what seems like forever,

And the structure is strong and robust

And every storm it will weather.

We’re all construction sites within

As our soul is regenerated,

By the hand of God and His loving touch

So we become rejuvenated.

(C) P.B. 2020

“But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:28

“There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him, but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!” Mark 7:15-16

“Keep your heart will all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth, and put perverse lips far from you.” Proverbs 4:23-24

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10

A crack may represent a problem

In almost every case,

Because a broken fragment will alert us

There’s an issue we need to face.

A crack in a pot

Can be creatively adjusted,

When a mosaic is made into a masterpiece

Where the pot is never wasted.

Cracks in our relationships

Occur from time to time,

When we neglect our responsibilities

And ignore problems in their prime.

Cracks appear in our fallen nature

It’s where inconsistencies they occur,

It reveals our guard has been let down

Where potential hazards we can incur.

But not all cracks are lethal

Since we’re broken many times,

When we grieve at society’s wicked ways

And its many untold crimes.

A crack in the wall

Foundational issues it will reveal,

And similarly unless our doctrine is found in Christ

Our faith cannot be real.

Cracks in cement

Represent movement from beneath,

But if our faith is built on the rock

We will not taste defeat.

We can crack under pressure

Since the warning signs are there,

But when we trust that God is in control

Our burdens He will bear.

A crack in our integrity

Is an early indication,

That we’ve allowed the lies to enter

And to settle without hesitation.

A crack is a warning sign

That re-focus is required,

To rest our weary souls

And to be replenished as desired.

The chief cornerstone

Never showed any cracks indeed,

His foundation is solid, sure and steady

And for our souls He intercedes.

(C) P.B. 2020

Matthew 11:28-29

Matthew 21:42

Proverbs 24:10

Matthew 7:24

When we set our mind on riches

What’s the first thought that’s implied?

Perhaps all that pertains to material wealth

And all things that multiply.

Is it gold or even silver

Or the status of a career?

The size of one’s bank account

Or the mansion they hold dear?

But these riches are so transient

And superficial they can be;

They’re fleeting and so temporary

With no eternal guarantee.

True riches cannot be bought or sold

As they’re spiritual through and through;

So intense and so manifold

With a wisdom pure and true.

God’s power, glory and His love

Along with His wondrous grace;

A redemptive sacrifice that saves our soul

As we run the race of faith.

An inheritance of eternal glory

And a calling rich and true;

A greatness of power towards us who believe

With an unsearchable kindness too.

True riches are eternal gems

Well-nourished pure seeds

Where thief can never rob or steal

An inheritance that’s guaranteed.

When we’re strengthened in the inner man

True riches are obtained;

A purchased possession sealed with a promise

Where God’s power is ordained.

(C) P.B. 2019

“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, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power.”  Ephesians 1:18-19

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

“that He would grant you according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man.” Ephesians 3:16

Just because something is hidden

It doesn’t mean it’s not exposed,

Since there’s One who sees and hears all

As our God everything He knows.

He sincerely wants to set us free

From the hidden traps in our heart;

The sinful tendencies that keep us bound

Which keep God and us apart.

It’s the jealousy and the envy

That is hidden in the soul;

It’s the anger and the bitterness

And all that needs to unfold.

It’s the underlying issues

That can be hidden and covered,

But eventually exploding

Revealing all that has been smothered.

It’s the disease of covetousness

Which can enhance competition;

It’s to desire to have the best

Where pride it drives the mission.

It’s the slothful sluggish ways

Nonchalant in word and deed;

It’s the sacrilegious attitudes

Watering all wrong type of seed.

It’s the underlying darkness

Of those who try to make us stumble;

Who spread a net and set a trap

To destroy those who are humble.

It’s the pretense in loving people

A false compassion to understand,

Since the motive may be to receive all credit

When extending a helping hand.

It’s to boast and to be noticed

With a reputation to uphold;

It’s to be considered as a good person

But where pride it takes a hold.

It’s the underlying attitudes

Of friends who pretend to care;

The fair-weather ones for the benefits

But when in need they are not there.

But all the underlying good works

Are seen by God indeed,

And do not go unnoticed

When the motive is to plant God’s seed.

God wants to unleash all shackles

All fake things in the soul,

To begin to really care and love

With an integrity to uphold.

When the masks are removed

It’s to expose underlying feelings,

So repentance can take place

Which will bring forth much needed healing.

He watches everything we do

We truly cannot hide,

And a healthy fear and sincere reverence

Is precious in His eyes.

When we forgive there is much power

With the key to unleash bitterness,

And where true healing and restoration takes place

Where peace and joy can manifest.

It’s a blessing when all is revealed

All the underlying things…

So we can be set free by the truth

Where much relief all this will bring.

Jesus died a painful death

So God can forgive our sins,

And He was resurrected unto eternal life

So new life is birthed within.

(C) P.B. 2020

“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of heaven.” John 3:3

“I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” John 14:1-2

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

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

“The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.” Luke 24:7