ENTER BY THE NARROW GATE

The narrow gate is sacred
With fingerprints of love,
Where no baggage it is welcomed
As we focus on above.

The narrow gate is free
From our idolatry;
It will welcome faith with works
Where a deeper way is seen.

But we’re narrow in our approach
When the wider gate we choose,
And become a god unto ourselves
Where we ultimately lose.

The narrow gate has boundaries
But healthy ones that we all need,
For our protection and for wisdom
When we truly are redeemed.

The narrow gate is where
Such beauty will be revealed,
Where awe and wonder is on the other side
And salvation it is sealed.

We are instructed to enter in
Through the narrow gate indeed,
As faith will become action
Where the evidence is seen.

Because the narrow gate is a prelude
To an eternity far and wide,
That is breathtaking and so perfect –
With Jesus by our side.

Christ did all the work
At the cross at Calvary,
And if we truly believe with all our heart
Much fruit is what we’ll see.

Because to enter by the narrow gate
Our words and actions they should blend,
To revere the teachings of Jesus Christ;
To honour and to comprehend.

The narrow gate is a gift
To our weary burdened soul,
As it opens the way to eternal peace
With a joy to behold.

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7:13-14

“What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? …For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” James 2:14-26

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23

DISDAIN FOR TRUTH

Truth is sacred and is precious
But a stumbling block indeed,
When delusions and our fantasies
Is what we prefer to see.

The truth will cut and wound
Because it rightfully needs to be –
A double-edged sword
To produce sincerity.

And excuses become paramount
When we prefer the lies –
The mainstream and the wide path
Where like an angel it’s disguised.

Half truths are full blown lies
And they simply don’t exist,
Because they’re tainted and dishonest
Where the motives go amiss.

It takes courage and a backbone
To stand for justice and for truth,
Because the carnal ways disdain it
And despise its honest fruit.

And when the lies are exposed
They’re justified and they’re embraced –
To demonise all truthful ways
So clarity will not be faced.

But there is a righteous judgement
That God Almighty has ordained,
And one that lasts forever…
Beyond the earthly grave.

As we repent for the dishonesty
And all shallow of our ways,
We revere the truth of Jesus Christ
Where integrity remains.

“And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.” 2 Corinthians 11:14

“For you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?” 1 Corinthians 3:3

“But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgement.” Matthew 12:36

“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them…but all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light,” Ephesians 5:11-13

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.” Matthew 7:13

“But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” Revelation 21:27

“And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32

JEWELS

Although they are spectacular
They’re a hidden gem indeed;
They sparkle through the darkness
And they’re valued when redeemed.

They’re precious in their own right
But mined they need to be,
To be discovered where their true worth
Is for every eye to see.

They are gorgeously arrayed
When with other gems they’re placed,
As their true beauty it will shine
When they’re connected and embraced.

Jewels do not appear
On the surface of any land;
It takes diligence and hard work
To be placed in someone’s hand.

And brides are captivated
By the exquisite light they shine;
They are regal and majestic
And through fire they’re refined.

The word of God is precious
It’s a gem within our reach,
Where bloodshed it signed eternity
When red words convict and teach.

And when jewels shine they do excel
Since they’re rare and true indeed,
So when we find a friend who is a gem
It is what our soul will need.

Embrace the precious jewels
That are placed within our midst;
The ones who truly care for us
Where loyalty and kindness kiss.

Our Jesus is the ‘jewel’
Who is outstanding and outshines;
He’s Lord and Saviour and our best friend –
Precious God who is divine.

“…having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal…the foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, and the fourth emerald…the twelve gates were twelve pearls…and the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.” Revelation 21:11-21

“One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple.” Psalm 27:4

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105

“…but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.”
John 15:15

QUIET BUILD

Not everything needs a microphone
Or in wanting to be seen;
It’s the quiet acts behind the scenes
As we build our treasured dream.

Not every plan needs announcing
Since it may incur jealousy,
When premature and where hearts
Failure they wish to see.

To build quietly is sacred
When the motive is to bless,
Where our left hand does not know
What the right will manifest.

It’s the prayers from deep within
Knowing God does hear indeed,
And according to His sovereignty
Those answers will be seen.

It’s the servanthood without applause
Or to help a friend in need;
It’s faith that’s anchored in the Lord
And by sowing His good seed.

It’s the sacrifice, the sweat and tears
That’s open in God’s sight;
It’s improving in the little things;
To repent – to make things right.

It’s to say ‘No’ to temptation
So our strength muscles will build,
Where the character is steadfast
And where patience is instilled.

It’s the gentle, quiet spirit
That trusts in God’s timing and ways,
Knowing that His will is perfect
And not always His delays.

It is knowing that with wisdom
God will work behind the scenes –
To build quietly our inner man
So to bless what He’s redeemed.

“And when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” Matthew 6:3

“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 3:4

“That you aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands…”. 1 Thessalonians 4:11

“Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” James 1:12

“Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. What house will you build for Me? Says the LORD, or what is the place of My rest? Has My hand not made all these things?” Acts 7:49-50

WAIT! THINK TWICE

Wait! Think twice
Before we respond with bitterness,
Because the outcome is disastrous
Where much heartache will manifest.

Wait! Think twice
Before major decisions will be made,
Seeking the Lord through prayer and trusting God
So regret will not remain.

Wait! Think twice
And from gossip and slander refrain;
As words will bite and ricochet
To cause monumental pain.

Wait! Think twice
And ensure the truth is revealed,
Before moving in haste
Where consequences may be sealed.

Wait! Think twice
And pray about the situation,
Because not everything is from God –
It may bring pain and frustration.

Wait! Think twice
Before walking down the aisle,
Because marriage requires sacrifice
And walking the extra mile.

Wait! Think twice
Because love will save the day,
As we remember that God brings needed justice
Where a price is always paid!

“But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgement. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Matthew 12:36-37

“In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise.” Proverbs 10:19

“Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul…”.
1 Peter 2:11

“The LORD knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile.” Psalm 94:11

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9

“The words of a talebearer are like tasty truffles, and they go down into the inmost body.” Proverbs 18:8

“But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God.” James 3:8-9

“A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates the best of friends.” Proverbs 16:28

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom, and in all your getting, get understanding.”
Proverbs 4:7

“But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.” 1 John 2:5

UNANSWERED PRAYER

When prayers seem unanswered
Perhaps they’re answered in other ways;
Not with the outcome we expect
But where peace it will remain.

When prayers are unanswered
It’s protection and not rejection,
Since the heart believes one way
But where God provides a redirection.

Our desires cannot observe
The bigger picture that God sees;
He has a better plan and outcome
That will last for all eternity.

Although our prayers appear sincere –
They can be sincerely wrong,
When we believe the outcome will satisfy
But where deception may be strong.

Many cases do exist
Where answered prayers were fulfilled,
But where God’s permissive will did proceed
Instead of His perfect will.

And consequences will abound
When we insist and we persist,
But when we pray His will be done
True blessings will not be missed.

If Jesus’ prayer was answered
When He requested the cup be taken away,
The course of our redemption
May have been rewritten to this day!

God uses wisdom
Always has and always will,
He knows the best outcome after all
And whether our prayers should be fulfilled.

Thank God for unanswered prayers
Because they may have been premature indeed,
And where weeds could potentially have grown
Instead of God’s wholesome, pure seed.

“Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.” Mark 14:36

“In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” Matthew 6:9-13

“When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood.” Isaiah 1:15

“The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” James 5:16

RENT FREE

If we don’t discern the voices
As to where they’re coming from –
We will swallow every word
And entrust it all along.

Because words carry the seeds
That germinate in our mind;
They will either build or will destroy
Any ripe vessel they can find.

Words they are embedded
And deep within the soul,
Where choices will develop
And where actions will unfold.

The enemy of our soul
Will attempt to rent the space,
And rent-free with his destructive ways
So consequences we will face.

He will vomit hate and bitterness
To envelop our mind and heart,
And without paying a single cent
To steal our joy – to tear apart.

But discernment it is needed
As to what’s false or what is true,
Since the word of God will correct and guide
With a conviction to renew.

The perpetual space in our mind
Is a vacuum to be filled;
It is wise to make good choices
As to what will be instilled.

If we allow the precious Lord
To renew our heart and mind,
We will naturally shut the door
To deceitful voices of all kind.

Jesus gives us peace;
It’s a promise He has made,
Let’s allow His Spirit to furnish our mind
Since His life for us He gave.

“Be angry, and do not sin, do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.” Ephesians 4:26-27

“Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war.” James 4:1-2

“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

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27

“Greater love has no-one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” John 15:13

WE’VE BEEN LIED TO…

We have all been lied to
In so great and many ways;
In every sphere of human life
Where deception it remains.

We have all been lied to
From leaders in authority,
Where financial kickbacks do dictate
What we should believe and see.

And the lies continue day by day
But we really all should know,
That we’re responsible to muse the truth
In the way that we should go.

We have all been lied to
From religions through to politics;
Fake sciences and ideologies
That interrupt the way we think.

They emanate from its source –
The father of all lies,
And all demonic of his forces
To separate and to divide.

We have all been lied to
And no wonder there’s no peace,
When we’re indoctrinated with that voice
Where negativity won’t cease.

But there is a solution and there’s hope
In the only One who cannot lie –
When in Jesus Christ we place our trust
To kiss all the lies goodbye.

He’s the only One in history
Who has authority to save –
Our dear soul for eternity
With a peace that we all crave.

So, although we have been lied to
In monumental ways indeed,
Our Savior cares and will restore
With His love and integrity.

“And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.” 2 Corinthians 11:14

“You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth. Because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” John 8:44

“…and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8

“In hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began…”. Titus 1:2

“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

GOD-SHAPED HOLE

It’s a hole deep in our heart
That is craving to be filled,
With an everlasting peace
And for joy to be instilled.

And we try to fill this space
With possessions and with leisure,
Or with all things unfulfilling
So to satisfy our pleasures.

But this void cannot be filled
With temporary things on earth –
Since it’s eternal in its nature
And requires the new birth.

God cannot be mocked
And does not tempt his dear creation,
To be satisfied with lusts
And with all sinful of sensations.

His depth requires obedience
To worship in sincerity,
So the fibres of the God-shaped hole
Will forever cease to be.

That God shaped hole cannot remain
When Yeshua fills the void,
Since He’s the bridge connecting us to God
So second death we do avoid.

It’s a rich tapestry that mends
A heart that’s been forsaken,
And where joy will resonate
When His forgiveness it is taken.

Because only God can fill that hole
Since it’s the way it’s designed to be,
So we’re reconciled to His heart
And for all eternity.

“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’” John 3:3

“He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” John 3:36

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

“Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the LORD; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart.” Jeremiah 24:7

“But as for those whose hearts follow the desire for their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their deeds on their own heads, says the Lord God.” Ezekiel 11:21

“Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.” James 1:13

“…which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8

HIS PAIN – OUR PLEASURE

When Yeshua hung upon that cross
In extreme agony,
There was a vision of our faces
With Him in eternity.

His pain became our joy
When He unlocked eternity,
Since the price paid was inevitable
So God’s wrath we do not see.

His pain became our pleasure
Since it was Him and Him alone,
That had authority to intercede –
For sin He could atone.

His pain became our healing
Since by His stripes we are made whole,
Where our transgressions are removed
And where true joy can now unfold.

His pain became a sacrifice:
Acceptable and true,
To remove the sting of death
And eternal separation too.

His pain became our joy
Because there simply cannot be,
The remission of sin without shed blood
To pave the way into eternity.

Thank God that His torment
And His excruciating pain,
Unlocks treasures to receive a crown
Where eternal peace and joy remains.

“Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand…because He poured out His soul unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors, and He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” Isaiah 53:10-12

“Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted, but He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:4-5

“He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth.” Isaiah 53:7

“…and without the shedding of blood there is no remission.” Hebrews 9:22

“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

“Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:8