Tag: bible

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HOW CAN WE NOT?

How can we not respect Him
Who hung upon the cross;
Who intervened to erase our sins
To face no eternal loss?

How can we not admire Him –
Who knew no sin at all,
Who walked and talked amongst us
Where our name the Father calls?

How can we not believe –
When miracles we see,
Every day in every single way
In how creation has come to be?

And how can we not trust
That deliverance sets us free?
Because when we humble ourselves and cry to Him
He faithfully intercedes.

How can we not adore Him
When He mentioned “It is finished!”
As He hung in agony for our sake
For the work that was accomplished?

How can we not be grateful
That the gate to hell is sealed,
When our soul’s greatest need is forgiveness
When we’re saved and we are healed?

When we’re patient with long-suffering
And know our prayers are heard as well,
It’s in God’s timing and His perfect will
Where answers they shall dwell.

How can we not reflect
On dangers that were intercepted,
When our heart it was protected
And our feet were redirected?

Because He knows every single detail
And the motives of the heart,
So how can we not be grateful
When He protects to set apart?

“The LORD lives! Blessed be my Rock! Let the God of my salvation be exalted.” Psalm 18:46

“So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished!’ And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.’” John 19:30

“The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.” Psalm 9:9-10

“…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 20:28

“Salvation belongs to the LORD.” Psalm 3:8

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OUR SAFE PLACE

Amidst the chaos and the noise –
Your gentleness remains,
As a reminder You’re our hiding place
And where evil is restrained.

You’re our harbour and our safe place
And Your presence calms our soul,
Where our emotions they do regulate
When Your peace in us unfolds.

You’re our Father and protector
And Your heartbeat draws us near,
When the haven in our mindset
Subsides anxieties and fears.

Our stronghold and our fortress
With a bridge to overcome;
Our green pastures in the valley
When to You we do succumb.

You deliver us from enemies
Where Your hand sustains us too;
Your promises are steadfast;
They are wholesome and are true.

Our safe place and our covering
As we trust in you, O Lord,
And thank you for your forgiveness –
So undeserved since we’re adored.

“The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2

“Deliver me, O LORD, from my enemies; In You I take shelter.” Psalm 143:9

“Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; Preserve me from violent men,” Psalm 140:4

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4

“He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge;” Psalm 91:4

“For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.” Psalm 91:11

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LIKE A BREATH

If we count every single breath
In light of eternity,
It’s like sand between our fingers
Where just a vapour it would be.

If we register our heartbeat
With the flow it has established,
It’s like a shadow of a passerby
With a glimpse that is diminished.

And if we were to extend our DNA –
A billion miles falls short indeed,
Since our Creator is too marvellous
Where everlasting ways He sees.

And our hope and faith will echo
Into the chambers of eternity,
When this life it holds a purpose
And where depth won’t cease to be.

Like a flower in its field
All of beauty is revealed,
Here today, gone tomorrow –
When eternal life is sealed.

When Jesus walked the earth
With a mission and a ministry,
Those brief years made an impact
On life for eternity.

Like a breath and a vapour;
A leaf cascading from a tree,
Where will our spirit dwell
In the hands of eternity?

“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

“Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, and my age is as nothing before You; Certainly every man at his best state is but vapour. Surely every man walks about like a shadow;” Psalm 39:5-6

“For what is your life? It is even a vapour that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” James 4:14

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

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11

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DON’T WORRY…BECAUSE HE SEES

When we’re tempted to worry
Over words of enemies,
Or of hidden envy in the heart –
Don’t worry because He sees.

He sees the hidden motives
And the plans that they devise,
Of character assassination
But they’re not hidden from His eyes.

Don’t worry because He sees
And all details are registered,
Where vengeance belongs to the Lord
With all that’s said and heard.

His hand will feed the sparrows
And provide for His creation too,
Because when we ask we do receive –
Since His promises are true.

Don’t worry because He sees
All our fears and anxieties,
But gently reminds us to submit to Him
So true joy and peace is seen.

Sadly, tragedies and wars exist –
Always have and always will,
But the stars will shine throughout the night
With a hope that’s been instilled.

Don’t worry because He sees
And we’re so valuable to Him,
As our soul is priceless in God’s sight
When we’re forgiven from within.

“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Matthew 6:25

“But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:30-31

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7

“Hear my prayer; O LORD, give ear to my supplications! In Your faithfulness answer me…for the enemy has persecuted my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground;” Psalm 143:1-3

“Vengeance is Mine, and recompense; their foot shall slip in due time; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things to come hasten upon them.” Deuteronomy 32:35

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WHAT IF?

What if salvation of our soul
Is as real as the air we breath,
Are we willing to risk eternity
By refusing to believe?

What if hell is hotter
And that Christ’s warnings they are true,
Are we so foolish to dismiss His words
And continue sinning in all we do?

What if the resurrection
Is clearer than the brightest day,
Should not the darkness in our heart
Refuse to have the final say?

What if God is real
And registers all we say and do,
Should we tremble at His sovereignty
If we believe that He is true?

What if our ideas and perceptions
Are merely vapours of a shadow,
Would they really matter in eternity
If they’re lukewarm or are shallow?

What if the depth of God’s word
Is an ocean for our heart,
Are we willing to surrender
And to make a brand new start?

And what if Jesus’ love is deep
And the blood that was shed for us,
Signifies forgiveness for our iniquities
When in God the Father we do trust?

Because what if it’s truly real
And we’ve been deceived through and through?
There’s no excuse on the inevitable day
When it’s steadfast and it’s true.

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

“But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!” Luke 12:5

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?’” John 11:25-26

“So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold not hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” Revelation 3:16

“Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.” Romans 8:30

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith…”. Romans 3:23-25

“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and God-head, so that they are without excuse.” Romans 1:20

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BE GRATEFUL

Be grateful for God’s beauty –
Engraved in nature’s ways,
Where His fingerprints are clearly seen
With a wonder that remains.

Be grateful for the things we have
And for the things that don’t own us,
Where freedom it envelops truth
When in the Lord we trust.

Be grateful for the moments
That are only captured by the heart,
And engraved in our memories
With every sacred start.

Be grateful for unanswered prayers
That could have shipwrecked future ways,
Because deceptive ways are anchored
In the heart when lust remains.

Be grateful that a spotless lamb
Was slain on our behalf,
Who was worthy and so pure
And the only One to walk that path.

Because grateful ways are honoured
When God sees a heart content,
That is joyful with its portion
And abhors evil of intent.

Gratefulness will open doors
Where God’s key only unlocks,
To unleash the treasures evermore
And where Satan’s ways are blocked.

Be grateful that eternal life
Awaits those who wait for same,
Where Jesus is Lord and Saviour
And where there’s reverence for His name.

“You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11

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

“I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:12-13

“That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2:2-3

“I have set the LORD always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will rest in hope.” Psalm 16:8-9

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IN OTHER WAYS…

Do we sometimes feel forgotten
Or overlooked as well,
Perhaps not loved for all we do
Or where discouragement does dwell?

Leah felt rejected
Since Jacob’s affection was elsewhere,
And the loneliness and solitude
Was at times too much to bear.

But it was in these darkest moments
The Lord’s hand was planting seed,
When Leah’s lineage produced a harvest
Where God’s heart did intercede.

When we feel insignificant;
Omitted or neglected too,
It’s in these humble moments
That God does what He can only do.

It is in other ways…
And behind the scenes as well,
Where faithfulness has its reward
When truth we buy and do not sell.

Because faith will yield dividends
When we trust He’s in control,
And all things work out for our good
With a richer story to be told.

Leah was blessed in other ways
With an everlasting legacy,
Where the treasures of her inheritance
Echoes into eternity.

Job refused to curse Almighty
And in long-suffering did trust;
He was restored tenfold indeed
Where his legacy did last.

If we remain steadfast
In the mundane routine of ways,
God honours this humility
Where His glory will remain.

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

“When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren.” Genesis 29:31

“So Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben; for she said, ‘The LORD has surely looked on my affliction. Now therefore, my husband will love me.’” Genesis 29:32

“Now the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning…in all the land were found no women so beautiful as the daughters of Job; and their father gave them an inheritance among their brothers.” Job 42:12-15

“Buy the truth and do not sell it, also wisdom and instruction and understanding.” Proverbs 23:23

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THERE WILL NEVER BE…

There will never be another you
Since you’re unique in every way,
With distinct characteristics
And with a blueprint that remains.

There can never be a different past
Since what’s done is not erased,
But the future path can now be written
With a renewed mind that’s sustained.

There will never be another Jesus
Never can be nor ever will,
Because His unique mission was accomplished
When God’s redemption was fulfilled.

There will never be a better time
To get right with God Almighty,
Since today is the day of salvation
And should not be taken lightly.

Because tomorrow is not guaranteed
And for granted should not be taken,
Since it’s in the blink of an eye the soul departs
When from the body it’s forsaken.

There will never be another chance
Once death knocks on our door,
Since it’s in the land of the living
That we’re pardoned and restored.

And there will never be a better day
Than when we see Christ face to face,
When He’s embedded in our heart and soul
With His forgiveness interlaced.

“And it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgement, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many.” Hebrews 9:27-28

“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

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

“And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses…” Colossians 2:13

“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:2-3

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TAKE UP OUR CROSS -v-PICK UP OUR TOOTHPICK

When the ear is dull of hearing
And self consumed with our own ways,
The word of God is compromised
Where deception may remain.

It took three nails and a cross
To crucify our evil deeds;
To remove the tares of doubt
And all wicked types of seeds.

To take up our cross
Requires sweat and humility,
As opposed to picking up a toothpick
Where light labor may be seen.

The toothpick clears debris
From leftovers in the teeth,
But the cross ensures victory
That is wholesome and complete.

The toothpick is like a splinter –
May be sore but once removed,
We’re back to our old ways
Where not much has been improved.

The toothpick is consumed
Where celebrations do exist,
But the cross requires sacrifice
And reconciliation in our midst.

And the cross demands a change;
It commands that we forgive,
And to confront the situations;
To choose life so we may live.

When Jesus carried His cross
It was for us – God’s enemies,
To reconcile us to the Father
So eternal life we see.

We have two pieces from wood
But so different in many ways,
Let’s ensure the cross is taken
Where God’s mercy will remain.

“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” Matthew 16:24

“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

“For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matthew 16:25-26

“For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” Romans 5:10

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IF WE THINK…

Our thought life is imperative
If we’re to produce any type of fruit,
Where love, joy and peace will reign –
With reverence for God’s truth.

God’s word is filled with clarity;
An example of how to be;
Most importantly how not to live
And where Jesus sets us free.

If we think we cannot be deceived
Then pride will have its way,
Because it’s only through humility
That God’s mercy will remain.

If we think we are superior
Much arrogance our soul will wear,
With pretences and all things fake
And no genuine of care.

If we think that we are useless
It’s a lie through and through,
Because we’re created in God’s image
To make a difference that is true.

If we think just like the crowd
Along the broad and wider gate,
There may come a time in life
Where it may just be too late!

Because the heart does become harder
With negativity or hate,
When our old nature is not crucified –
Remaining in that state.

If we believe in evolution
And we strongly think this way,
Then there’s a fearful expectation
When our soul departs one day.

But if our mind and heart is steadfast
On the true and living One,
He is our refuge and strong tower
Where all trials we overcome.

“God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

“The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2

“For thus says the LORD God: ‘Indeed, I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out.’”
Ezekiel 34:11

“For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” Romans 8:13