Category: Poems

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

 

What is it that grips our heart

Or to what are we holding on?

As everything is fleeting and temporary

And one day will be gone.

Are we grasping onto materialism

Or onto our security?

Since in a moment it can come to nothing

And shattered our dreams will be.

All prestige, status and social class

Can crumble in a moment,

And when we examine ourselves in the aftermath

There’s a void that’s been lying dormant.

We should live beneath our means

And never beyond or above;

As we focus on what is important

And to operate out of love.

All is vanity and grasping for wind

And until we get a revelation;

We’ll continue in ways that are unfruitful

In prideful ways without hesitation.

If we’re relying on handouts

We will eventually be controlled,

Since there’s an incentive when it comes to money

With a firm and fierce stronghold.

The day is around the corner

Where a mark is required,

To have access to all the services

And to keep everything we’ve acquired.

As the water drips from our palm

So our days are numbered,

And one step closer to eternity

When our goods are plundered.

Are we building a foundation

That will sink in the sand?

Or are we building on the rock

Where there’s wisdom to understand?

If we hold onto faith and hope

We can never go astray,

As what we sow we’ll eventually reap

Where eternal dividends are paid.

If we hold onto love

It will never ever fail,

Since it’s a light that illuminates every path

With a beauty that it entails.

If we hold onto Jesus

We’re guaranteed a future hope,

And although tests and trials may fashion our days

We’re given much peace to cope.

Although situations may look grim

We should be positively focused;

With our eyes fixed firmly on the Lord

Instead of on the plight of locusts.

To what are we holding on

Or onto whom have we grasped?

Is a question we must ponder

And one that must be asked.

God will always provide our needs

He always does and always will,

Our task is simply to trust in Him

For our provision to fulfil.

(C) P.B. 2020

“For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.'” Isaiah 41:13

“He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name…His number is 666.” Revelation 13:16-18

The birds continue to sing

As they greet us every day…

The butterfly continues to reveal its glory

And the sun will shine its rays.

Sometimes things get worse

Before they can possibly improve,

But the clouds do pass to reveal the sun

And there’s hope amidst the doom.

It’s unpleasant and it’s painful

When the fiery tests do come;

As we struggle in so many ways

And affected is everyone.

But it helps us to re-think

About our values and our morals,

And a timely reminder of the brevity

Of this life as mere mortals.

All things are temporary

But we need to have much hope;

To carry us through into the new chapter

With a strength to help us cope.

Although there will be much tribulation

In the coming years,

When we trust in Jesus He sees us through

And comforts all doubts and fears.

We’re all in this together

As we care in different ways,

And we encourage each other to never quit

And that ahead are fruitful days.

It’s an opportunity to bear much fruit

With a love and kindness too,

As we sincerely care for one another

To be sincere, faithful and true.

The rainbow is a reminder

Of God’s precious covenant,

And that restoration does take place

When we’re willing to repent.

Through patience everything will pass

And difficult times do come to an end,

And that long-suffering has an expiry date

And hurting hearts will mend.

We need to shed those tears sometimes

Since it’s our heart that is conveyed,

But God bottles every single drop

And listens when we pray.

We’re not alone and we never will be

As He’s the anchor of our soul;

He’s the restorer and redeemer

He’s Jesus our best friend..behold!

Eternal days are coming

And we really should prepare…

To ensure our soul is insured with Christ

So we’re not caught unawares.

(C) P.B. 2020

“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast.” Hebrews 6:19

“You number my wanderings; Put my tears into Your bottle. Are they not in Your book?” Psalm 56:8

“Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you.” Psalm 55:22

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Galatians 5:22

“For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time.” Matthew 24:21

“Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Matthew 24:44

There’s a beauty in simplicity

When we’re content with all our blessings,

And to appreciate their intrinsic value

That can teach us many lessons.

We should never be ashamed

To live a simple and humble life;

When we’re thrifty yet considerate

But where our burdens are kept light.

It’s to put our loved ones first

Rather than to impress those who don’t care;

It’s to shift our mindset from selfish ways

And from entanglements and tares.

As society keeps changing

With all technological advances;

There’s no need to increase our desires

Where covetousness most times this enhances.

There’s no need to desire what others do

Or to follow the peer pressure,

Since the spiritually blind will lead the blind

With consequences beyond measure.

There’s no need to maintain an image

Where our name can be lifted up,

Since our ego and our prideful ways

Most times will never be enough.

Since the carnal nature is never satisfied

And it simply never will be,

Unless it appreciates the beauty of basics

Where with a simple heart it sees.

Let’s inspire one another

To appreciate the beauty in simplicity,

Where we halt to absorb the smell of a rose

And where God’s creation we clearly see.

It’s an opportune time as well

To discover the wonders of natural aids,

And their effective use in health and beauty

With an authenticity that will stay.

When we’re content with all we have

There’s no need for competition,

Since when we’re happy we’re happy to give

As we’re on a special mission.

It’s the attitude of the heart

That will lead us back to basics…

As we stop to focus on important issues

Rather than caught up in this matrix.

(C) P.B. 2020

“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 this 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

“that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business..” 1 Thessalonians 4:11

“For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18

Behind everything we say and do

There’s a motive from the heart,

And although disguised it will be revealed

When the layers are peeled apart.

Everything hidden will be revealed

As we simply cannot escape;

Since our soul is naked and transparent

And to the eyes of the Lord awake.

Our motives need to be examined

Since they can be used to manipulate,

And to take advantage for our gain

And to exploit at any rate.

What does it profit a man indeed

To gain the world but lose his soul?

When the motive was greed, lust and corruption

And to finance his end goal.

We can be the nicest person

But end up in the pit;

Since our motive was to impress others

But we were spiritually unfit.

If our motive is to be seen

And elevated in people’s eyes;

God will swiftly humble us indeed

To remove all hidden pride.

If our motives are for selfish gain

And to spend on our own pleasure;

Our contentment will be temporary

Since the deception is beyond measure.

Irrespective of people’s motives

If two hearts are not connected;

Then relationships cannot begin

And expectations will be affected.

When we examine the motives of our heart

We’ll be shocked to really discover,

The hidden lust with all the greed

And those desires we try to cover.

Unless we get a transplant

A spiritual one that is;

Our heart’s desires will remain carnal

And will always go amiss.

When our motive is to love

And express kindness in all we do;

A tree of righteousness it will blossom

That produces much good fruit too.

And if our motive is to see souls saved

God will always open the door;

Since it profits us nothing but done for God

Where He receives glory forevermore!

(C) P.B. 2020

“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

“For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed and hidden that will not be known.” Matthew 10:26

“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matthew 16:26

“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18

We can run but we cannot hide

And no matter where we go;

From the eyes of the Lord we can’t escape

And from His presence we can’t forego.

Our soul is naked and bare indeed

As He knows our every thought,

And every intent of our heart and mind

From every known source.

We may think our soulish cobwebs

Are hidden from His sight,

But everything is registered

By His knowledge and His might.

Although we run, although we jump

And choose to ignore His presence;

His desire is to bring us home

Through every trial and lesson.

Let’s know that He is angry

With the wicked every day,

And His unconditional love is for His sheep

Who walk according to His ways.

We can run we can hide

But our frame is not hidden from His sight,

And when we humble ourselves to acknowledge this

We surrender the inevitable fight.

We should relent at the thought

That a holy God is pursuing us;

As at the end of the day His is the victory

And His sovereignty is enough.

But from certain things we need to run

As they vex our soul indeed;

Particulary when they drain us

And our soul they do not feed.

Let’s run from negativity

And from those who burden our soul;

Whose intentions are not sincere

And whose actions are crude and bold.

Let’s run from false religions

That focus on our good works;

Rather then the finished work of Christ on the cross

And His pure and utmost worth.

Today is the day of salvation

Let’s not harden our heart when God knocks,

Since its the very best gift we’ll ever receive

When the key to eternity unlocks.

Let’s run the race with endurance

Laying aside every weight and sin;

As we run to Jesus the finisher of our faith

So we run the race to win.

(C) P.B. 2020

“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

“God is a just judge, and God is angry with the wicked every day.” Psalm 7:11

“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.”  1 John 5:4

“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2

“Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith..” Hebrews 12:1-2

There’s a beautiful calm in stillness

When we abstain from motion too;

We begin to rest when we’re stationary

And to re-evaluate all we do.

Sometimes when we refuse to be still

The decision is made for us,

When our mind and body can no longer cope

And a standstill becomes a must.

And other times it’s beyond our control

When we’re forced into lockdown,

Where all activities and hustle and bustle

Are refrained in every town.

But when we’re still there’s time to think

And to spend much quality time…

With those that matter – our family

Where relationships can be refined.

Our daily agenda can be full

And distractions can take their toll,

When worthless things can waste our time

Where lasting fruit will not unfold.

Will we question the current status?

Or we simply do not care

Have we analysed the recent events

As to how they’ve taken us there?

Maybe God wants us to be still

And to remember our very first love;

Our devotion and quality time with Him

And to focus on things above.

Maybe it’s all been orchestrated

To tear our idols apart,

To evaluate and to prioritise

And to reveal the intents of our heart.

Maybe this calming peace and stillness

Will actually bear much fruit;

As we realise the vanity in many things

Since our distractions are living proof.

“Be still and know that I am God”

As we rest on His promises;

As He guides and leads us to His pasture

When we believe all that He says.

Much rest and peace awaits our soul

When we trust in God’s promises,

And although we’re in the midst of turmoil

We’re calm when we’re Spirit led.

As nothing is done outside His control

He understands all we’re going through,

And that every test and every trial

Is to lead God’s love to you.

The power of God will never extinguish

And neither should our faith;

Our hope needs to burn just like a flame

So we finish this mandatory race.

(C) P.B. 2020

“Be still, and know that I am God.”  Psalm 46:10

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

Isolation can be a burden

For many in society;

Since the loneliness is a heavy cup

And in a position most would rather not be.

Isolation has many barriers;

Physical, mental and spiritual too,

It’s restrictive with our movements

And in all we wish to do.

Isolation can cause depression

With feelings of hopelessness;

Much anxiety, fear and insecurity

Where our soul is not at rest.

Isolation has its problems

As frustration can breed violence,

And emotional pain and abuse

Where victims remain silent.

Prolonged isolation is unwise

When it is self-induced;

Since it rages against all wise judgement

And will not produce good fruit.

But although it can be restrictive

Isolation has pros and cons;

It reveals the condition of our heart

And things we’ve worshipped all along.

To isolate for a little while

Can produce much lasting fruit;

It helps us to re-direct priorities

And new habits to recruit.

It’s all in the mind at the end of the day

As to how we process things,

And it affects the result of all decisions

Along with the outcome that it brings.

Isolation can be healthy

When a plague is in the air;

Since it’s a protective mechanism

Whereby diseases are not shared.

Isolation has its time

And when we’re in the wilderness;

It’s where the spiritual matters need attention

And for our soul it can be best.

Jesus faced his isolation

But He spent quality time with the Father;

A man of sorrows in constant prayer

A precious soul like no other.

Isolation is an opportunity

To reflect on God’s righteous ways;

As we evaluate where we stand with Him

And on how we spend our days.

Everything has a positive side

When we look with the correct light,

And scrutinise all the hidden blessings

In all their depth and height.

Isolation should be used wisely

To reflect on important matters,

And when we’re truly content with all we have

This makes our lives sweeter and better.

(C) P.B. 2020

“Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife.” Proverbs 17:1

“A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire, he rages against all wise judgment.” Proverbs 18:1

Your awesome and redemptive ways

Can never be compared;

You’re the epitome of wisdom

And Your light shines everywhere.

Your selfless ways are evident

With an integrity that’s rare;

Your affection is unconditional

With an expression of love and care.

Only You see the big picture

And orchestrate all in Your time,

And although the pain may linger

There’s a plan which is divine.

Your heart’s desire is that none perish

But You’ve given us free will;

To choose either life or eternal death

Since our conscience You have instilled.

Your ways are pure and holy

And You’ve created us perfectly;

With an intricate of detail

So the eyes of our heart can see.

You desire that all embrace the truth

Through repentance and turning from sin;

You desire to be our Saviour and Lord

And in our hearts the King of kings.

Your passion is that we’re reconciled

To You through Jesus Christ;

Your son who paid the ultimate price

To redeem us from satan’s plight.

All honour and all glory

To only You our sovereign Lord,

With Your infinite mercy and grace

So our spiritual dignity is restored.

(C) P.B. 2018

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

“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

“not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

“And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” Revelation 19:16