Author: parasbovolos

It’s to ignite the soul with hope

With words that do bring life;

It’s to correct in a loving manner

And to instruct in what is right.

Life and death is in the power

Of the little tiny tongue,

That’s designed to encourage and to love

Bringing peace to everyone.

At times it’s never easy

Particularly when there’s struggle and pain,

But a soft and gentle outreach

In their memory will remain.

Encouragement gives life

It adds years to the soul,

Because it builds up and does not tear down

Where blessings it unfolds.

Encouragement is uplifting

It inspires us to learn from mistakes,

To pick ourselves up and to try again

And to do whatever it takes.

We all fail and make mistakes

But it’s not the final sentence,

Because these failures teach us lessons

And with progression it all makes sense.

Let our words be kind indeed

But with the right spirit and also sincere,

Because the hardest of hearts have repented

When with love our words they hear.

Encouragement will always build

A bridge that leads to hope;

It lifts us up from all dark places

And it teaches us to cope.

The heart of God is encouraging

As His mercy is extended to all,

But He’s very displeased with all our sin

That’s contributed by the fall.

He wants to restore our soul

Through forgiveness and His grace;

His desire is that none perish

And to yearn to seek His face.

Encouragement is inspiring

When it’s sincere and faithful indeed,

When the outcome is genuine for the soul

To progress and to succeed.

(C) P.B. 2020

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”  Proverbs 18:21

“Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.”  Proverbs 19:1

“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.”  Proverbs 25:11

“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

“Do not be embarrassed by your failures, learn from them and start again.”  Portugese proverb.

When we look in the mirror

What do we actually see?

It’s a reflection of God’s grace

And who He’s created us to be.

When we gaze into the mirror

Are we truly aware?

That we’ve been created so beautifully

When we really look and stare.

The mirror tells a story

Of a life filled with hope;

Of trials and of tragedies

But one that’s learnt to cope.

The mirror will never lie

As it reveals all our scars,

But each one will share a story

Of who we really are.

The mirror is a reflection

Of the miracle that’s exposed,

As all features work in harmony

From our head to our toes.

The mirror is beautiful

And when we’re truly peaceful within,

It radiates a glow and warmth

With the joy that it so brings.

The mirror reveals testimonials

As we gaze deep into our eyes,

As we awaken and are enlightened

And are set free from all our lies.

The mirror reveals God’s glory

When all masks are removed;

An unveiled heart with integrity

That’s been truly changed and moved.

The mirror is true

And will reveal everything,

As a reminder that we cannot hide

But to face what life will bring.

The mirror is our friend

True and honest will always be,

As we reflect upon our lives

So we really are set free.

(C) P.B. 2020

“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 13:12

“For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in the mirror, for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was.”  James 1:23-24

“As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects man.”  Proverbs 27:19

Promises are honourable

Particularly when they are kept;

When the result sees lasting fruit

With an outcome we won’t forget.

God’s promises are faithful indeed

And will always come to pass,

For His love for us exceeds expectations

It is pure and it will last.

He promises to wipe our sins

And although they’re scarlet in nature,

They shall be made white as snow

To place us in right stature.

Although our transgressions are like crimson

They shall become as wool,

So we’re washed and sanctified indeed

And no longer considered a fool.

It’s a monumental promise

When we reason with the Lord,

And we understand His saving grace

Through His sacred precious word.

Our sins are red like crimson

But through repentance and obedience,

The moral law is stamped in our heart

To deal with all lies and all pretence.

Our sins required Christ’s precious blood

As it’s the only shade of red,

That’s accepted in this equation

So we’re resurrected from the dead.

Resurrected to new life

Evident of a new start;

With the sacrifice of a broken spirit

In conjunction with a contrite heart.

Along with the incorruptible beauty

Of a gentle and quiet spirit,

That’s discerning and is wise

With no corruptive motives in it.

Not perfect but certainly growing in grace

And in maturity too,

As we walk in holiness and in reverence

And in our convictions to be true.

Covered by Christ and His purity

Is what God requires to see;

To appease His anger and His wrath

When from sin we are set free.

Both snow and wool are pristine

They’re pure in all their ways;

It’s the way God wants to see our soul

As we commune with Him each day.

(C) P.B. 2020

“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 red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”  Isaiah 1:18

Work is compulsory

If we wish to support ourselves;

To cater towards the cost of living

And to bless others we can help.

But we can never ever work

For our eternal salvation indeed,

Since it’s by grace that we’re solely saved

And never by our faithful deeds.

Grace is undeserved favour

It’s truly God’s precious gift;

Along with His mercy and pardon

When the wheat from the tares He sifts.

Spiritual matters that pertain to God

Are not in our hands to tamper,

And irrespective of our religious upbringing

False doctrines our soul will hamper.

Countless religions are based on good works

But without Christ’s sacrifice,

And solely based on humanism

But in God’s eyes they’re heretical lies.

We can never earn God’s salvation

Irrespective of how hard we try…

Since our sinful nature is so deprived

And condemnable in God’s eyes.

Imagine if we could boast of our works

That could lead to God’s holy ways,

The pride and the arrogance would be huge indeed

Along with self-glory and praise.

But God in His wisdom knows man’s heart

How deceitful it really is,

And the only solution was to offer His Son

To reconcile and to make us His.

We couldn’t save ourselves if we tried

Since we’re stuck in the miry clay,

But His hand of compassion reaches down

Through Christ’s sacrifice that was made.

Christ’s sacrifice and His precious blood

Washes our sins away,

When we receive Him and God’s way of salvation

As we sincerely repent and pray.

(C) P.B. 2020

“For by grace you have been savedt hrough faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast.”  Ephesians 2:8-9

Life is transient

It’s brief but it is sweet;

There are many beautiful moments

With wonderful souls we meet.

But all flesh is as grass

Green and tender at its best,

That’s eventually mowed or withered

Through many trials and tests.

All man’s glory is temporary

And despite all accolades,

Like the flower of the grass they’ll fade

With all contributions made.

Because we’re not created for our glory

Only God can hold this position,

And once we get this revelation

We’re inspired to make wiser decisions.

The glory of man is like a flower

It is prominent but it will fall,

And the only thing standing that is sure and steady

Is when God our name He calls.

The grass withers and the flower falls away

But God’s word can never fade;

It endures forever with all its wise counsel

So spiritually strong we’re made.

We spin, we toil, we labor

But the question always remains,

As to what the deeper motive is

And what in the end will it gain?

Are we building God’s kingdom

Or our own indeed?

As the final outcome will reveal

The fruit along with its seed.

Unless our soul is transformed

And renewed by His eternal touch,

We have coveted and laboured in vain indeed

When in the end won’t amount to much.

God’s glory will always remain

It is pure, reliable and forever;

Let’s be grafted into His vine

So our roots are never severed.

Because unless our foundation

Is built on His rock and soil,

All our achievements, plans and dreams

Will eventually spoil.

Vanity of vanities says the preacher

And grasping for mere wind,

Let’s make this life count for God

To ensure we’re spiritually ready within.

(C) P.B. 2020

“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 1:24-25

Rhema in the Greek language

Is the ‘Word’ clearly spoken;

A vivid and unmistakeable meaning

And undeniably unbroken.

It proceeds from the mouth of God

And is a living and powerful sword,

That pierces to the division of soul and spirit

And all thoughts and intents in accord.

Ennoia as portrayed in the Greek

Refers to our intentions;

Our moral understanding

Although in essence requires intervention.

Because if our intents are not consistent

With the living, active Word,

We’re in deception although we believe we’re right

And disobedient to the Lord.

A sword does terrible damage

It cuts and pierces indeed,

But we all need God’s conviction

And a mediator to intercede.

A sword has a cutting message

So the direction of one’s life,

Can be re-aligned with God’s intents

To separate the truth from the lie.

The double-edge sword will act in two ways

So there’s no escape from same,

And our morals and values are challenged indeed

So false ideologies cannot remain.

A conviction is required

Followed by much needed repentance,

As we’re exposed so we can change our ways

And for Christ to make a stance.

The Word is a discerner

And sees through our every intent,

And although it challenges it encourages us too

Since its light is heaven sent.

The Word proceeds from the mouth of God

And when it’s proclaimed from ours,

A two-mouthed sword is operational

And is certainly espoused.

(C) P.B. 2020

“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.  And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”  Hebrews 4:12-13

There are many persuasive words

That can tickle our ears indeed…

To contribute to our head knowledge

Where the mind it solely feeds.

But do we really understand

The origins of same?

Have we asked fundamental questions

Or in ignorance do we remain?

Philosophy is the study

Of our existence, values and knowledge;

Our language, reason and mind

Where general questions are acknowledged.

It’s the soul’s desire for answers

To our life and existence,

As we try to comprehend the meaning

That makes some sort of sense.

Particularly when God is excluded

So we can try to rationalise,

But in reality we’re suppressing the truth

To be popular in man’s eyes.

When we question the meaning of life

We may turn to philosophies;

To the ancient civilians with brilliant minds

To understand what they could see.

But there are loopholes in their thinking

And inconsistencies in their thought,

Since they cannot complete the puzzle

As several lies have been bought.

From Aesthetic Realism to Asceticism

To Ecumenism and Relativism,

From Hedonism to Existentialism

Modernism to Secular Humanism…

Then there’s also Mysticism

Rationalism and Libertarianism,

And Fundamentalism as well

Along with Universalism…

Then there’s flawed religions

Where they try to earn God’s favour,

As though He’d be truly impressed

Through their endless work and labor.

But we’re given a warning and a strong one indeed

Lest we’re cheated through philosophy,

And empty deceit according to traditions of men

Rather than Christ’s truth and simplicity.

In Christ dwells all the fullness

And we’re made complete in Him,

Who has power and is the absolute head

Of all principality and within.

(C) P.B. 2020

“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.  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 2:8-10

There’s a relief when we dispose

Of all old things in our possession;

That no longer serve a purpose

Or that have caused much aggression.

There’s a refreshing that abounds

As we welcome all things new,

Where the stale memories are left behind

With their deceptive tactics too.

Our soul is comprised

Of our emotions, mind and will;

It’s our living being and life indeed

And by God it is instilled.

But the soul requires renewal

Irrespective of who we are,

Since our old man grows corrupt every day

And by sin our soul is scarred.

When we renew the spirit of our mind

It’s in conjunction with God’s will,

So the law of love and His commands

Our heart and soul will fill.

Our former conduct and its lusts

Promotes greed and selfish envy;

It desires to have better than its neighbour

That can drive into a frenzy.

It’s self-centred and independent of God

And promotes its own philosophies,

But much frustration and disarray

Is what this old man can always see.

Because we’re not created to live apart

From God and His pure ways;

His desire is to bless us indeed

So much fruit will fill our days.

Deceitful lusts are deceitful indeed

Since they promote an empty promise,

And all doubt and unbelief will cripple

When we become a doubting Thomas.

When we put off our former conduct

An exchange will take place,

Where the new man steps out in boldness

With a brand new image and face.

An image that reflects the Lord

In holiness and righteousness,

When Jesus cleanses our soul indeed

And commits to us what’s best.

Because renewal is an outward sign

That there’s been a change within,

And that repentance has truly taken place

When we’re remorseful of our sin.

Renewal of soul is mandatory

If we wish to see eternal life,

Where by Christ’s blood shed on the cross

His sacrifice will suffice.

Suffice to put us in right standing

With the Father above,

And solely by His grace and mercy

In conjunction with His love.

(C) P.B. 2020

“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 created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.”  Ephesians 4:22-24

When we entertain words of life

Something special occurs within;

There’s a light that fills our soul

When the required change it brings.

When we confess noble thoughts

There’s no room for negativity,

Since the power behind encouraging words

Has potential to plant good seed.

To believe in something is to act

Since it’s not just a passive thought;

It requires diligence and commitment

Once the truth is known and taught.

When our heart truly believes

It inspires us to make a difference;

To act in kindness and walk by faith

Where potential harvest is immense.

When we confess with our mouth

It’s the abundance from our heart;

It’s our thoughts and our desires

That challenge us to make a new start.

To confess the Lord Jesus

And believe in our heart He was raised,

Consolidates our salvation

As we give God all the praise.

We can’t contribute to our salvation

Since it was finalised on the cross,

And by believing and confessing

In our heart the truth is embossed.

Then a wonderful thing does occur

When by faith we trust in Christ,

There’s the process of sanctification

When all sin we learn to fight.

Because the battle will always rage

Since the flesh wants to win,

But when we walk in the spirit

We repent of all our sin.

As we understand the severity

If we continue in transgression,

It will taint our mind and heart

And manipulate all our affections.

To believe unto righteousness

Requires a change of mind;

It’s to crucify our old nature

And leave former patterns behind.

In simplicity there’s a cause and effect

And we do reap what we sow,

And by allowing the Holy Spirit to dwell within

All unrighteousness it must go.

The spiritual warfare is real indeed

And once we learn to fight,

The washing by the word of God

Fills our soul with light.

Jesus was crucified but raised from the dead

To give us life forevermore,

As promised in the Scriptures

Where death will reign no more.

(C) P.B. 2020

“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

Masterpieces by the hand of God

Are miracles indeed;

Where everything has a plan and purpose

Emanating from a seed.

The phenomenal structure of mankind

All organs working in harmony;

Where the intelligent mind is well aware

And God’s creative majesty can see.

The overwhelming beauty

And the scent of a rose;

With a hidden message in its thorn

To use caution if we impose.

The brilliance of a dog’s face

And its perfect features too;

The plethora of love in its soul

With a loyalty sincere and true.

The amazing story of ants

And their ability to provide,

And their brilliant little minds at work

A miracle that cannot be denied.

The brilliance of a giraffe

And the structure of its neck;

We marvel at the woodpecker

Where thousands of times a tree can peck.

The beauty of all flowers

And the wonder of every tree,

And the humble one that provides our food

It’s the spectacular little bee.

The masterpiece of heaven

Where eternal life will dwell,

For those who aren’t ashamed of Christ

Who exchanged their ticket for hell.

Masterpieces galore indeed

In every sphere of creation;

In the population of mankind

Of every tribe and nation.

The most honourable masterpiece

Is Jesus God’s own Son;

A perfect representation

Qualified to save everyone.

But it’s for those who will accept Him

Where their lives are truly changed,

To reflect that they are children of God

Where their old nature will not remain.

Masterpieces and perfection

Only by God’s precious touch,

To reveal His glory but more than that

To show He loves us very much.

(C) P.B. 2020

“Then God said, ‘Let the earth bring forth the living creature according to its kind, cattle and creeping thing and beast of the earth, each according to its kind’ and it was so.” Genesis 1:24

“So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him, male and female He created them.” Genesis 1:27

“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.”  Psalm 150:6

“Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, which having no caption, overseer or ruler, provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest.” Proverbs 6:6-8

“I will praise You, for You have answered me, and have become my salvation.  The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone…This is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.”  Psalm 118:21-24