Category: Poems

Sometimes what we actually see

Is not what it appears,

Because our eyes and heart can indeed deceive

When it’s what we want to see and hear.

A magician is an example

Of portraying an illusion…

Where our eyes are deceived to believe

That there’s a magical solution.

Likewise we can be deceived

As to when we look around,

Where situations appear real and content

But where troubles they abound.

An exterior is not a representation

Of what is really inside,

Since the outer shell and beauty of same

Many internal problems it may hide.

Life can be an illusion

When we prefer to believe the lies,

So as to prevent any self-reflection

Where our carnal ways should die.

Illusions can dictate our lives

When we’re set on believing same;

Where the focus is always on externals

And where there’s pretences and games.

Beautiful faces and beautiful things

Are temporary indeed,

And if our focus is solely on all of these

We can certainly be deceived.

Because the incorruptible beauty

Of a gentle and quiet spirit,

Is precious and so priceless

When there’s sincerity in it.

It’s best to be real and honest too

Irrespective of the consequence;

To be genuine in our convictions

Rather than sitting on the fence.

Because the enemy of our soul

Creates many grand illusions,

As his crafty and manipulative ways

Are there to draw a conclusion.

To deceive us and to kill and destroy

By the many deception and lies,

All under the banner of freedom

But with a plan to annihilate lives.

Illusions can be dangerous

Since we cannot really know,

The deeper truths of every situation

Particularly when integrity it foregos.

God will expose every hidden thing

As all will come to light…

Let’s forsake every kind of illusion

So with God our heart is right.

(C) P.B. 2020

“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…”. 1 John 2:16-17

“Do not let your adornment be merely outward…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 3:3-4

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

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

“For God will bring every work into judgement, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.”  Ecclesiastes 12:14

When we have a vision

We like to envisage an end result…

One that yields a fruitful outcome

That’s prosperous without a fault.

An end result is important

Since it will reveal what we have sown;

As the harvest that we will reap

Depends on the dedication we have shown.

To plant good seed is paramount

Since it produces a hundred fold;

When the mission is towards God’s purposes

Where blessings are increased manifold.

Keeping the end in mind is necessary

If we’re to be steered in that direction,

Regardless of roadblocks that present themselves

Along with possible deflection.

Sometimes the path is obstructed

As we experience a detour,

But through much patience and persistence

We learn to truly endure.

We can deviate from the path

When temptations come our way;

If we’re not planted and grounded in good soil

Where God’s word will help to sustain.

We can’t profess to have faith

If we have hatred in our heart,

Since peace and holiness is required

If we’re to be set apart.

The end in mind is mandatory

If we’re to continue on the road;

Where our eyes are on Jesus first and foremost

Since we’ll reap what we have sowed.

If there’s no hope for an afterlife

Then our faith has been in vain,

Not having treated Christ’s sacrifice with respect

And perhaps looked upon with disdain.

The end in mind is what’s important

Since it will determine our eternity,

And whether our focus is on God or whether it’s on this earth

And whether the truth we really see.

(C) P.B. 2020

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

“Lord, make me to know my end…that I may know how frail I am.”  Psalm 39:4

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope…And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.”  Jeremiah 29:11-13

“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”  Hebrews 11:13

“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.”  Hebrews 12:14

“..by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you – unless you believed in vain.”  1 Corinthians 15:2

“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”  Colossians 3:2

“And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end.”  Revelation 2:26

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”  Revelation 22:13

When we approach the Red Sea crossing

There’s no point in looking back…

Since we are finally delivered

Where we shall never lack.

The waters will be parted for us

As a miracle does take place;

When we surrender the Egypt in our heart

And new beginnings we’re to face.

Our familiar ways love Egypt

With the comforts that we share;

The variety and the colourful ways

With every type of fare.

There’s pleasures and enjoyment

With all the finest things,

And the very best of quality

Along with every pleasant way this brings.

There’s nothing sinful with all the above

But they can become idolatrous;

When we pursue them with all our heart

And neglect to put God first.

Egypt appears desirable

But our soul needs God’s pure touch;

To restore us and to make things new

Since He cares and loves us much.

When we part our ways

To see God’s wondrous hand,

He will make a way and pave our path

When we trust in His commands.

The chariots of Pharaoh

Were cast into the sea;

As the Israelites were delivered

When God did intercede.

When our will is exchanged

And we allow God to take the reigns,

He will steer us through our troubled waters

With a solid faith that remains.

When the bondage and our every oppression

Is released with every chain;

We once thought we were free but actually weren’t

But now God’s truth it will remain.

Egypt becomes a memory

With all excessive work and labor;

Our strivings and our philosophies

As we receive our Lord and Savior.

When the land of Egypt departs in us

And we proceed to the Promised Land,

Our soul shall never thirst or ever hunger

When we’re guided by God’s hand.

(C) P.B. 2020

“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.  You shall have no other gods before Me.”  Exodus 20:2-3

“Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea into dry land, and the waters were divided.  So the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on the dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.”  Exodus 14:21-22

“Then the waters returned and covered the chariots, the horsemen, and all the army of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them.  Not so much as one of them remained.”  Exodus 14:28

“So the Lord saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore.”  Exodus 14:30

“Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.”  1 John 5:17

Resources assist us in our daily lives

Since they are a provision,

A source of supply as an aid and support

Drawn upon in need for a mission.

We have a spiritual resource we can rely on

A special one indeed;

It’s Jesus and the Holy Spirit

Who is always willing to intercede.

He will give us strength to follow Him

And not succumb to peer temptations,

He’ll give us wisdom to make right choices

And peace in the storms through patience.

He will guide and teach us in every matter

To walk in spiritual maturity;

To live a life of godliness

So His hand we truly see.

Our Jesus fills our soul

With everything we shall need,

And He deposits courage in our heart

With a strength to take the lead.

He’s faithful and He adores us

And although we’re despondent at times;

He gently lifts us up through prayer

And transforms and heals our lives.

He has promised us eternal life

Where riches are stored forevermore;

An abundance of resources never-ending

With beauty and love in store.

Our Jesus is filled with integrity

Since He delivers HIs promises,

And every resource that we require in life

Filled with tranquility and much rest.

(C) P.B. 2020

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”  Psalm 46:1

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”  2 Corinthians 12:9

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

“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..”  Matthew 6:19-20

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

“And this is the promise that He has promised us – eternal life.”  1 John 2:25

It’s a long and dusty road

But one Saul needed to travel;

To discover God’s intervention

And for his heart to be unravelled.

Saul was a Pharisee of Pharisees

With the highest of qualifications,

The most noble and respected ones

With the utmost of reputations.

But Saul was a hypocrite

And thought he was doing God a favour…

By killing and persecuting the Christians

Who placed their faith in Jesus as Savior.

But his day of reckoning did indeed come

When he travelled down that road,

And was struck by God Almighty

As he kicked against the goads.

“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”

Were the sacred words he heard,

As Jesus empathised with His children

who were persecuted and considered absurd.

Saul subsequently became Apostle Paul

And his life’s direction was steered;

To suffer many things for the name of Christ

But at least now the real God he feared.

We cannot kick against the goads

When we deal with God Almighty,

Because irrespective of what we believe is right

We shouldn’t take His truths too lightly.

The road is long and narrow

As Jesus claims He is the way…

The life and the truth as well

And forever this will stay.

Apostle Paul is a true example

Of our fleshly carnal ways;

That need to be crucified by God alone

So restoration our path it will pave.

The scales from our eyes

Need to be removed indeed,

So we’re filled with the Holy Spirit

And begin to truly see.

The road to Damascus is necessary

In a spiritual type of way,

If we’re to be reconciled to the One true God

Where genuine faith remains.

(C) P.B. 2020

“Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ And he said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’  Then the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.  It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”’ Acts 9:4-5

“For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”  Acts 9:16

“Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.  Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptised.” Acts 9:17-18

“If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.  But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.  Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.” Philippians 3:4-8

“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

It’s easy to make comparisons

And to point the finger too,

When the transgressions of others appear worse

Than all we say and do.

But by what right do we have

To compare our sins to others?

When in God’s eyes we’ve all transgressed

And no better than one another.

Although certain sins create more heartache

And it’s tragic that this occurs,

But God’s righteous judgement will prevail

To deal with those accursed.

The gentle lady in your neighbourhood

May appear to be an angel indeed…

But if her pride prevents her from receiving Jesus

For her soul He cannot intercede.

Because unbelief is the only transgression

That will never be forgiven;

As it doesn’t allow true faith and repentance

And by pride it’s always driven.

There’s no point to ever compare and judge

Just because we haven’t murdered,

Or committed adultery and considered as ‘good’

But by other sins we’re burdened.

Let’s not deceive ourselves that we’re good

As Scripture makes it clear…

That there’s none righteous, no, not one

But only God whom we should fear.

Comparisons breed covetousness

When we want to be considered as better,

But when we stand before God to give an account

All else will truly not matter.

Comparisons lead to jealousy

Because others appear to be happier,

But when our lives are simple and hassle free

We’re better off by far.

Let’s not compare ourselves to others

Since we have a unique blueprint indeed;

Instead let’s be content with what we have

And plant much godly seed.

(C) Paras Bovolos 2020

“For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves.  But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.”  2 Corinthians 10:12

“There is none righteous, no, not one..”  Romans 3:10

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

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

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”  Hebrews 11:6

“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have.” Hebrews 13:5

When something is a Godsend

It certainly comes unexpectedly…

It’s a timely and most needed thing

Where a miracle we see.

When the Father sent us Jesus

It was totally unexpected,

Because the people wanted a political leader

And thus Jesus was rejected.

God could have sent a Politician

With awesome power and might…

To restore affiliations

And to bring much needed justice to light.

He could have sent a Businessman

Who would have helped us economically;

With inspired wisdom for our financial dealings

Where poverty we wouldn’t see.

He could have sent a Scientist

A well respected person indeed,

Who would discover wondrous explorations

Where his reputation could be seen.

He could have sent an Educator

To feed our mind great things;

Along with every humanistic way

With head knowledge this so brings.

In effect Jesus came to be all the above

But in a spiritual way instead,

When our bankrupt soul was made rich indeed

When it’s Spirit led.

He was indeed our Educator

To teach God’s precious word…

Where all glory and all honour

Belong only to Jesus Christ our Lord.

His scientific aspects encapsulate

All of God’s creation;

Where every atom points to God

Without any hesitation.

Political powers do indeed crumble

Along with all their self-glory,

But Christ’s policies are eternally forever

And all part of the Father’s story.

God chose a mere carpenter

To build what is required;

To restore our soul and shelve our sins

Where our spirit is inspired.

God’s wisdom chose humility

Particularly when Christ was crucified;

To highlight the importance of a humble spirit

And to not be elevated in man’s sight.

Jesus was a Godsend

And it’s Whom we all ultimately need;

So our soul is reconciled to God

When His word our spirit feeds.

The greatest need is spiritual

And not all temporary things…

Because the condition of our soul is paramount

When salvation it so brings.

(C) P.B. 2020

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder.  And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”  Isaiah 9:6

“Nor is there salvation is any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”  Acts 4:12

In a calculated move

Life is like a game of chess…

Where every manoeuvre has a mission

With a final quest.

We are mere pawns

And when the enemy of our soul,

Takes advantage we’re certainly all at risk

Where checkmate can unfold.

Are we at a stalemate

With no legal position to play;

Where our conflict has reached an impasse

Where no resolution will stay?

When the King cannot escape

He’s arrested and checkmated;

Defeated and outwitted indeed

Subsequently becoming ill-fated.

The devil thought he had a checkmate

When our King hung on the cross…

But our Victor rose after three days

As the kingdom of darkness suffered great loss.

Our King of kings and Lord of lords

Was never checkmated at all,

Since all victories belong to Him

And now our name He calls.

Are we checkmated with nowhere to run?

Since a swindle cannot succeed

Have we become as stalemate,

When we’re cornered by God indeed?

As the endgame proceeds to checkmate

With a victorious conclusion;

The opponent’s King is thwarted

Conquered and baffled through confusion.

As this simulated war

Eliminates our opponent’s pieces,

Let’s keep a check on our spiritual condition

Before trouble it unleashes.

We’re at the final stages

And the endgame is imminent;

Let’s not be checkmated by our opponent

As we humble ourselves and repent.

(C) P.B. 2020

“Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.  For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet.”  1 Corinthians 15:24-25

“By this I know that You are well pleased with me, because my enemy does not triumph over me.” Psalm 41:11

“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honour and glory forever and ever.  Amen.”  1 Timothy 1:17

“KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”  Revelation 19:16

It will never sound logical

And too extreme to be true…

But when Jesus leaves the ninety nine

It’s so He can come to rescue you.

We are all like sheep gone astray

Every single one,

And when the shepherd calls us by name

It’s His desire to lose none.

The lost sheep may wander

And be totally unaware,

But the shepherd is responsible

For its tender love and care.

The shepherd will anoint the sheep

To keep the pests away;

With oil on its precious head

To keep the flies at bay.

The hireling is a thief

And is a wolf in sheep’s clothing;

He comes to scatter and to divide

And to bring all the good to nothing.

He will enter through the gates

And pretend to show much care,

But the true flock is not ignorant

Of his devices and his lairs.

But the Lord is sweet and tender

With His pure and precious flock;

To ensure it is well nourished

And that none are killed or lost.

When the flock is loved and cherished

Sweet and humble it becomes;

Since the unconditional love of the shepherd

Transforms the life of every one.

The ninety nine are well established

But that dear prodigal one…

Needs to return to the safe green pastures

Through the love of God’s own Son.

(C) P.B. 2019

“What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.” Matthew 18:12-14

“For you were like sheep gone astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” 1 Peter 2:25

“All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned every one to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:6

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them.” John 10:11-12

Life is beautiful to behold

In every aspect and stage;

From the birth of a child

Until our very final page.

Our birth gives anticipation

Of a life to be well lived,

And the growth of us as toddlers

To our parents is a gift.

We grow to new heights

And as we enter the next chapter;

With memories made during our school years

We mature in mind and stature.

We subsequently fall in love

As we marry our loving spouse,

And we look forward to the next chapter

Making a home inside our house.

And our offspring arrive in due course

Planting a smile on our heart;

This miracle of life indeed

Is a pure work of art.

As we age we appreciate

The tender moments so special and true,

And throughout our struggles we’ve overcome

To forgive and make things new.

Most times life’s direction

Is not one we anticipate;

With unexpected turns indeed

And challenges we face.

But when we’re old and frail

What’s the next chapter in store,

Since our time on earth becomes limited

As we face the forevermore.

Eternity is the longest chapter

And we must ensure we’re ready;

With a solid faith in Jesus Christ

As our hope is sure and steady.

And when that chapter will begin

Our soul will come face to face,

With our Lord and Savior for eternity

Where His love we will embrace.

(C) P.B. 2020

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8