Category: Poems

In the valley all our sweat and tears

Are registered by name,

Where all strivings and all anguish

For a season will remain.

In the valley are humble beginnings;

In the lowliness of meadows,

But where seed is planted with much hope

So our past becomes a shadow.

It’s in the valley where our season

Of frustration it may mount,

But it’s where God’s scalpel will remove

All fear and all doubt.

In the valley is our manger

Where we dare to rest our head,

But where deep foundations they are laid

When our spirit man is fed.

The valley teaches many lessons

It’s where our character is changed;

Where layers are peeled and there’s transparency

When we remain in the lowest plains.

It’s in the valley we’re victorious;

In the humblest of all ground,

Where deep roots take place and where love and peace

Will definitely be found.

We all want the mountaintops

Where exceeding joy abounds,

But unless we’ve lived in the valley

We’ll become a clanging sound.

The mountaintop is glorious;

The landscape is so vast,

But lasting change within our soul 

Can never happen fast.

But the greatest mountains can be shattered

And indeed come crumbling down,

When the Goliaths and our stumbling blocks

Through faith and prayer will bow.

Jesus lived amongst the valleys;

In the lowliest of plains,

But indeed rested on the mountaintops

Where all victories were claimed.

From the valley to the mountaintop

Our soul is cleansed and changed,

By God’s Spirit as we humbly repent

So we no longer stay the same.

(C) P.B. 2021

‘Every valley shall be exalted and every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight and the rough places smooth.  The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and al flesh shall see it together; For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”  Isaiah 40:4-5

“Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.  Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.”  Psalm 90:1-2

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal… and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.”  1 Corinthians 13:1-2

“So Jesus said to them, ‘Because of your unbelief, for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move: and nothing will be impossible for you.  However this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.’”  Matthew 17:20-21

“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

The truth will hurt and it always will

Since it always needs to be,

And if not then it isn’t truth

That can lead to apostasy.

Like a two-edged sword;

All honesty it defends,

But it requires needed change

If it becomes our closest friend.

But we simply do not want it

When it goes against our grain,

Particularly when it reveals itself

When our flesh it wants to reign.

But it doesn’t change reality

Or its characteristics too,

Since it’s embedded in integrity

And sincere through and through.

Like a two-edged sword and needs to be

If it’s to cut through all the lies,

As it slices the deception

As we see through brand new eyes.

We cannot love and serve the Lord

When we prefer to worship lies,

Where our thoughts and actions do not mix

And where false motives are disguised.

Surface conformity is disloyal;

It’s dishonesty in our face,

But it’s mainly through fear of rejection

When people remain fake.

But it doesn’t matter on the surface

What people do portray,

Because deep down they most likely know

That God will have His way.

The word of God will pierce

To reveal our depths within,

As it convicts us of false thoughts and deeds

That are intertwined with sin.

Thank God for His truth

That doesn’t go with the flow,

Where His correction and instruction

Help us spiritually to grow.

Jesus is the truth;

The epitome of same,

Where wisdom, love and peace

And where all honesty remains.

(C) P.B. 2021

“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.”  Hebrews 4:12

“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 4:13

“Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness.”  Ephesians 6:14

“His truth shall be your shield and buckler…”. Psalm 91:4

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”  2 Timothy 3:16

“Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.  For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.”  Galatians 5:16-17

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

“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

Society may tempt us

In all its shallow ways,

But our spirit knows and understands

There’s a heavy price to pay.

It’s outward focused and always will be

Because externals are what matter,

But this doesn’t fill the void within

Leaving our soul in tatters.

And we may be allured

By what the media says,

But deep down within our soul

We should know it doesn’t care.

Shallow are all carnal ways

As they pertain to the flesh,

With outbursts of wrath and jealousy

When the heart will manifest.

We may swim in shallow waters

When fear takes the lead,

But it’s in the deepest of the oceans

Where our spirit man it feeds.

Shallow can be our daily walk

And mainly most of the time,

Because when we’re merely earth-bound

True depth is left behind.

Shallow are insincere ways

When friends pretend to care,

But the test indeed will surely come

In need and if they’re there.

Shallow are all hateful ways

And although their roots are deep,

They reveal the soil of the heart

When calamity they reap.

Riches cannot save us

But instead they may condemn,

When they’re not used for God’s glory

But where selfish gain will stem.

Jesus’ depth and treasures

Are like all sparkling of gems,

And His words of wisdom are rich indeed

Time and time again.

Deep in love and rich in faith

With a fire in our soul,

As God’s treasure and His pure ways

Fulfils our heart behold!

It’s in God’s depth we find true joy

As we’re enveloped by His love,

As our soul is blissfully aware

It’s by His Spirit from above.

(C) P.B. 2021

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”  Romans 12:2

“Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you!  Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten…You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter.”  James 5:1-5

“Nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 8:39

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”  Romans 8:1

“For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.”  Romans 8:6-7

“Oh the depth and riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable are His judgements and His ways past finding out!”  Romans 11:33

“For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things to whom be glory forever. Amen.”  Romans 11:36

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment.”  1 John 4:18

Faithful are the wounds of a friend

Because although they may cut deep,

They’re sincere and abound in truth

Where true healing we will reap.

Faithful are the words of the Lord

Because they’re words we need to hear,

To convict and ultimately restore

When we have a listening ear.

Faithful is the caring heart

When much fruit it manifests,

When the underlying motive is love

And wants for us what’s best.

Faithful is the selfless soul

When in righteousness it stands,

To serve in love with a joyful heart

Without conflicts or demands.

Faithful is a patient friend

Who esteems others better than himself,

Who is not envious as well

But where peace and loyalty dwells.

Faithful is the friend

Who doesn’t keep account of wrong,

But sticks closer than a brother

With sincerity all along.

Faithful are the precepts

And the commandments of the Lord,

Where forgiveness and restoration lives

As we have faith in His word.

Faithful is our friend Jesus

As we obey His commands,

And place our trust as we surrender

Our life into His hands.

Faithful is the life of Christ

Who lived for us and died,

And rose again in victory

Where eternal life abides.

(C) P.B. 2021

“Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.”  Proverbs 27:6

“A friend loves at all times…”. Proverbs 17:17

“A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”  Proverbs 18:24

“Love suffers long and is kind; loves does not envy…does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil..”  1 Corinthians 13:4-5

“Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits.’”  1 Corinthians 15:33

“Better is a little with righteousness, than vast revenues without justice.”  Proverbs 16:8

“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.”  Philippians 2:3

“God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”  1 Corinthians 1:9

“You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.”  John 15:14

“He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”  Matthew 11:15

“Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments.”  Deuteronomy 7:9

“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

When we do what we want to do

There can be rebellion in our wings,

But when we do what we ought to do

There’s freedom from within.

Freedom isn’t always external

Because circumstances can keep us bound,

But rather it’s the hidden beauty in the heart

Where liberty is found.

Our definition of freedom can be misleading

Because although we’re not imprisoned,

If we’re harbouring bitterness or unforgiveness

We’re in a spiritual prison.

Freedom is found within the soul

Through our mind, will and emotions,

When hope is intertwined with trust

And when faith is put in motion.

Jesus sets us free

In more ways we could imagine,

And the Holy Spirit reveals true freedom

Through Christ’s sacrifice and passion.

When we’re free

We’re no longer bound by fear,

But hand our anxieties over to God

Where His truth we desire to hear.

Freedom is found in servanthood

And in all selfless of ways,

When it’s sincere and filled with integrity

Where true motives will remain.

Freedom is found in forgiveness

As we’re forgiven and we forgive,

When we confess our sins to the Lord

And for God we choose to live.

When we’re free

It is by God’s sovereign grace,

As the shackles are removed within

And true liberty is faced.

True freedom is shaped like a cross

Where our sin was dealt with by Christ,

Who reconciles us to the Father

As we’re made precious in His sight.

(C) P.B. 2021

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.”  Galatians 5:1

“For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.”  Galatians 5:5

“For you brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”  Galatians 5:13

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

“And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”  Matthew 20:27-28

“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

When we believe we’re not good enough

The fact-checker will advise,

That we’re created in the image of God

And precious in His sight.

Although the image is marred

Through our fallen nature and sin,

There’s always hope to be reconciled

When we trust in only Him.

When we worry or have anxiety

The fact-checker will reveal,

To come to Jesus all who labor

Or when heavy laden we feel.

The fact-checker is reliable;

A source of truth and integrity,

It will tell us what we need to hear

And how we ought to live.

It’s a fact-checker for our soul

Pertaining to the spirit,

With many gems and nuggets of gold

And purity within it.

When we need an answer

The fact-checker will ensure,

To provide love, guidance, hope and faith

In order to endure.

It inspires us to forgive

And love our enemies too,

To pray for those who use us

And will guide in all that’s true.

The fact-checker is the bible

And not all forms of media,

Since God’s word instils faith and hope

Not envy, lies or fear.

It encourages us to be peacemakers;

To heal and to renew,

And look out for the interests of others;

To not be selfish too.

The fact-checker is the standard;

It is valid with authority,

Written by man but inspired by God

Through love for eternity.

It is living and it’s powerful

And will certainly transform;

It will blossom in our heart and soul

And calm every wind or storm.

The fact-checker is timeless

Because God’s stamp of approval remains,

As His word pierces to the division of soul and spirit

So we’re no longer the same.

But it heals because it’s filled with truth

And restores us back to Him,

It’s the living word that washes us

And cleanses from all sin.

(C) P.B. 2021

“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

“Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good.”  Genesis 1:31

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16

“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

‘Blessed are You, O Lord!  Teach me Your statutes.”  Psalm 119:12

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”  Matthew 5:9

“Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.”  Proverbs 12:25

“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.”  Hebrews 4:12

“How precious are Your thoughts to me, O God!  How great is the sum of them!  If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;  When I awake, I am still with You.”  Psalm 139:17-18

“Then they cry out to the Lord in their trouble, and He brings them out of their distresses.  He calms the storm, so that its waves are still.  So He guides them to their desired haven.”  Psalm 107:28-30

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”  Matthew 11:28

It’s a submicroscopic agent

And living organisms infects;

Will often cause disease

Although difficult to detect.

A virus is contagious

And is filtrable indeed,

And once it enters it multiplies

Where diseases it may breed.

But there are certain viruses

That are more dangerous,

And when they’re harboured or ingested

Much damage they will cause.

The most prominent is bitterness

Where the seed of hatred lies,

As it infects the body and the soul

When forgiveness won’t reside.

This virus causes anxiety

As it puts a stress and strain,

On every aspect of the heart and soul

So no peace or joy remains.

Another virus is envy

With its cousin – covetousness,

When like a worm they eat away

So there’s no time for rest.

The viruses of lies and greed

Can destroy relationships,

When violence and manipulation

Will flow from unwholesome lips.

Viruses cause damage;

They come to kill, steal and destroy,

To penetrate and multiply

When hosts of wickedness they employ.

But there is a solution

When God will intervene,

To cleanse and heal and to restore

To make things pure and clean.

He sanitises with His touch

To wipe all sin away,

As we repent and ask for mercy

So no virus will remain.

A virus simply cannot stand

In the presence of the Lord,

And when we forgive we are forgiven

And infected are no more.

(C) P.B. 2021

“And behold, a leper came and worshipped Him saying, ‘Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.’  Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him saying, ‘I am willing; be cleansed.’  Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.”  Matthew 8:2-3

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.  I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”  John 10:10

“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

“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you.”  Matthew 6:14

When someone is God-fearing

There’s a natural propensity,

To have reverence for His commandments

Where blessings may be seen.

When someone is God-fearing

For wisdom they will pray,

So He will be a guiding hand

Where correct decisions may be made.

The beginning of wisdom

Is the fear of the Lord,

Where respect is sealed upon the heart

With honour for His word.

And God cannot be mocked

When hypocrisy abounds,

Because He sees through the window of the soul

Where deception can be found.

When someone is God-fearing

They’ll respect their neighbour too,

And never wish them any harm

With a sincerity that’s true.

We see many forms of evil

And we’re grieved to hear of same,

But it’s the enemy of our soul who tempts

So destructive traits remain.

Blessings and curses are very real

Since we’ll reap what we do sow,

And when there’s courtesy for God’s ways

All wickedness must go.

To have a healthy fear of God

Is for our health and safety too,

Because the boundaries are to protect

Whilst not oppress in all we do.

It’s through repentance we are cleansed

And our soul is washed, renewed,

Where our old nature is crucified

With a vision that is new.

The goodness of God leads us to repentance

And as we humbly submit to Him,

We’re in the safest hands we’ll ever be

Whilst forgiven for our sins.

The fear of God leads to salvation

As we trust in Jesus Christ,

Who shed His blood to redeem our soul

So we’re accepted in God’s sight.

(C) P.B. 2021

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”  Proverbs 9:10

“The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate.”  Proverbs 8:13

“Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and long-suffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?”  Romans 2:4

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”  Galatians 6:7

“Love does no harm to a neighbour; therefore love is the fulfilment of the law.”  Romans 13:10

“For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.”  Psalms 1:6

“For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.”  Romans 6:5-6

“Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all.  For God will bring every work into judgement, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.”  Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

When our dependency relies

On all external forces,

For our emotions to be satisfied;

Never enough will be all sources.

Because it simply cannot be enough

To satisfy our soul,

Since our insatiable hunger will increase

To create a deeper hole.

We’re not created to idolise

Money, silver or gold,

Neither people nor relationships

That can create strongholds.

We’re simply made to worship God;

Our sweetest Heavenly Father,

And in selfless ways with servanthood

To sincerely love each other.

But when our wandering hearts

Are constantly desiring,

For fulfilment from all worldly ways;

It’s God we’re not admiring.

Never enough when we don’t love God

Since a substitute is required,

To fill that vacuum from within

With all worldly of desires.

Jesus focused on the Father

And exhibited His ways,

As He’s the express image of Almighty God

And for our souls the price He paid.

When Jesus simply is enough

Our thirst will not remain,

As we’re filled and nourished from within

When faith in Him will stay.

When Jesus is enough…

That hunger from within,

Is satisfied once and for all

As we’re forgiven from all sin.

Worldly ways are never enough

Never have been or ever will,

It’s only God that fills that void within

When His forgiveness is instilled.

(C) P.B. 2021

“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

“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.  Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”  Philippians 2:3-4

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.  All things were created through Him and for Him.”  Colossians 1:15-16

“I am the bread of life.  He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst.”  John 6:35

“If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.  He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”  John 7:37-38

“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

When we let go…

Our circumstances change,

Because the idol that had gripped our heart

No longer it remains.

When we let go…

It isn’t easy indeed,

But it liberates us to move forward

As it truly sets us free.

It’s when we let go…

That things begin to happen,

And we hear of many great examples

As it becomes a pattern.

The lady who so desperately

Is wanting to conceive,

Most times will fall pregnant

When expectations are released.

The person who so desperately

Is yearning for a change,

Will be set free once they discover

That God truly will sustain.

If we constantly desire

And ask for many things,

We’ll be free when we surrender

To enjoy the peace God brings.

When we let go…

And allow God’s sovereignty,

We’ll discover a joy and a peace

Where God’s love we feel and see.

It’s that tight grip that enslaves

As we prohibit the release,

Of God’s blessings and His promises

When our idolatry won’t cease.

But when we let go…

There’s a freedom that abounds,

Knowing God will guide and will protect

When trust in Him is found.

(C) P.B. 2021

“Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”  Psalm 46:10

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

“There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing; And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches.”  Proverbs 13:7

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.”  Proverbs 13:12

“By your patience possess your souls.”  Luke 21:19