Tag: faith

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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

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THE JOY OF THE LORD IS OUR STRENGTH

How precious and so honourable
When the Lord’s presence it abounds;
Where love and peace it is combined
With a heart and mind that’s sound.

The joy of the Lord is our strength
As it echoes in our soul;
It endures as we overcome
With a power to behold.

And this joy surpasses happiness
Because it rings so deep within,
As a reminder that God is with us
And delivers us from sin.

He will never leave us
As He’s entrenched inside our heart,
And His Spirit it will guide us
So we are truly set apart.

The joy of the Lord is our strength
And will last for all eternity,
As our trials they are fleeting –
And God’s face we yearn to see.

Our strength it comes from God
And it’s by His grace and mercy too,
That His kindness and His goodness
Reveals a love that’s pure and true.

“Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!” Psalm 100:1

“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

“For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy.” 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20

“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” Matthew 25:21

“My brethren, count it all joy, when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience,” James 1:2-3

“But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.” John 17:13

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JUST BLOOM

A rose will not compete
With a Lily or Daffodil,
Since its beauty is unique
With a role it will fulfil.

They’re all created with tender care
Emanating from God’s touch,
With a uniqueness that’s divine
And adored so very much!

The colours represent them well
With clarity and vibrancy –
They will bloom where they are planted
And so wonderful to see.

When we blossom in our phases;
Whether it’s in joy or suffering,
There’s a growth that is unparalleled
With a blessing that is seen.

Because to bloom we simply are
Grafted into the pure vine,
Where the sunshine and the rain
Will ensure we do shine.

Our trials have an expiry date
Where the burden is blown away;
When we are grounded in God’s promises
And are steadfast when we pray.

Just bloom where you are planted
And receive the nourishment,
From the One who waters the seed
When from our core we do repent.

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

“Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, because 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 1:23-25

“And the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose; It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice,” Isaiah 35:1-2

“So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” Matthew 6:28-29

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

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AS A FATHER…

There’s a burden in a father’s heart
To protect his offspring well;
To provide and to encourage
So in safety they will dwell.

As a father loves his children
Our Heavenly Father loves His own;
Those who believe and trust in Him;
Who know they’re not alone.

A father who pities his children
Their challenges will understand;
The heartaches and insecurities…
The mass confusion and demands.

The Lord pities those who fear Him
With compassion and mercy too,
And understands our frailty
In everything we do.

He understands our sufferings
And the weariness within,
He promises to give us strength
To overcome our sin.

Just like a vapour we exist
Before we’re swept away,
So it’s wise to show our gratitude
That engulfs our every day.

A father who knows The Father,
In truth will guide and lead,
With kindness and generosity
Where hungry souls he’ll feed.

As a father protects his own
Our dear Heavenly One will do,
But in a way that will protect our heart
So we discern what’s false or true.

“As a father pities his children, so the LORD pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.” Psalm 103:13-14

“As for man, his days are like grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes. For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.” Psalm 103:15-16

“But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him.” Psalm 103:17

“For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting, and urging you to live lives worthy of God.” 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12

“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him.” Psalm 127:3

“My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those He loves, as a father the son He delights in.” Proverbs 3:11-12

“In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge.” Proverbs 14:26

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WHERE OUR TREASURE IS

When the treasure in our heart
Is to see God glorified,
There are rivers of living water
Where peace and joy will satisfy.

When we wish our neighbour well
And never hope for any harm,
God’s blessings they are numerous
Extending from His arm.

And the truth will always hurt
But when it’s expressed with gentle care,
It sets free from all delusions
When God’s Spirit it is there.

The treasure in one’s heart
Will always be revealed,
And when courage kisses kindness
It’s when the soul begins to heal.

When we focus on fleeting treasures
And where mammon takes the throne,
That God-shaped hole remains intact
With a fearful undertone.

And when the treasure it is stolen
It is deceptive through and through,
Covered with cobwebs and all darkness
When our words they are not true.

Because the treasure it is priceless
When the heart it is renewed,
Giving Christ the rightful honour –
And where motives they are true.

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21

“You cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:24

“Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness.” Psalm 143:10

“Owe no-one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law…’You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ Love does no harm to a neighbour; therefore love is the fulfilment of the law.” Romans 13:8-10

“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

“And be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:24

“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

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WORDS AGAINST WEAPONS

There comes a point in time
Where debate is resisted,
And where ears are dull of hearing
And when facts they become twisted.

But the truth can never hide
And will convict through and through,
To penetrate the hardest hearts
That detest logic and truth.

When words become weapons
They can pierce the heart and mind;
Since they challenge and they will correct
So the soul becomes refined.

And when words cannot be stifled
Other weapons will be used,
To kill, destroy and annihilate
With all physical abuse.

But this may instigate a boldness
And a renewal for the truth,
That emboldens the silent voices
As they produce much godly fruit.

It’s a travesty indeed
When healthy discussion is oppressed,
When it’s labelled as ‘extreme’
And when ideas are repressed.

But what we must remember
Is that the voice of truth will live,
And with courage and with boldness
Many blessings it will give.

And it can never be silenced
Because the light will always shine,
And as Jesus proved it resurrects –
Since the word will always rise.

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4

“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

“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

“And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 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 12:4-5

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” John 11:25

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BY FAITH

It is the understanding
That all things have come to be,
And created by the hand of God
Which we simply cannot see.

Historical figures were moved by faith
And trusted that God would move,
Knowing that He is in total control
Where His faithful ways He proved.

Abel presented a sacrifice
More excellent that Cain’s,
And Noah was mocked for building an ark
For years before it rained.

Abraham obeyed the Lord
And in a foreign country he dwelt;
Moses forsook the pleasures of Egypt
But where his legacy was felt.

By faith Rahab hid the spies
And was awarded greatly indeed,
Becoming the great grandmother of David;
The greatest king that would be seen.

By faith they received promises
And delivered from the sword,
Yet others were stoned and sawn in two
But never renounced the Lord.

Because by faith they wholly knew
That eternal life is real,
And chose to suffer affliction
Knowing that their soul is healed.

By faith they chose to walk
Into the Promised Land,
Trusting in God’s promises
And all provision from His hand.

As we’re challenged by their stories
It’s a reminder to always trust,
That God’s love with hope will lead us home
And where faith becomes a must!

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1

“By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain,” Hebrews 11:4

“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6

‘By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” Hebrews 11:8

“By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.” Hebrews 11:31

“By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.” Hebrews 11:24-25

“Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed by the sword.” Hebrews 11:36-37

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THE UNVEILING

When the heart it is enveloped
There’s a veil that covers same;
A blindspot where there’s hindrances;
Where darkness may remain.

It cannot know nor can it see
Since it hasn’t been revealed,
Remaining in its invisible condition
Where revelation is concealed.

And it may hide an abundance
Of all things that are not real,
Suppressing every darkness
And oppressing how we feel.

There should come a point in time
When a conviction will take place,
Where old patterns cannot continue
And where reality is faced.

The truth will be revealed
For we reap what we do sow,
And we cannot mock our Maker
When the weeds within will grow.

We may masquerade our pain
When the trials are too much,
But there’s nothing that’s too hard for God
With His supernatural touch.

The unveiling it is marvellous
Because its light will truly shine,
Where the heart and soul is justified
By the hand that is divine.

The unveiling is eternal
And when we submit to same,
There’s a freedom and a liberty
With a peace found in His name.

The bridegroom has the honour
To remove the veil from our eyes,
So we see His face so clearly
And set free from satan’s lies.

An unveiling did take place
When our Saviour hung upon that cross,
Revealing God’s eternal plan
Along with His required cost.

“The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant.” Psalm 25:14

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

“Show me Your ways, O LORD: Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day.” Psalm 25:4-5

“The humble He guides in justice, and the humble He teaches His way.” Psalm 25:9

“Blessed be the LORD, because He has heard the voice of my supplications! The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;” Psalm 28:6-7

“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil,” Hebrews 6:19

“Then behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised;” Matthew 27:51-52

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IT WAS NEVER MEANT TO BE…

It was never meant to be
And although we prayed earnestly for same,
Certain prayers will go unanswered
Where disappointments may remain.

And it was never meant to be
Because behind the scenes God saw,
The conversations that took place
And hence He firmly shut that door.

It was never meant to be
For us to be estranged from Him,
But it’s the choices that we make
When we prefer to love our sin.

God created paradise
From the very start,
But mankind wanted more
And did not have a grateful heart.

It was never meant to be
That souls end up in hell,
Since it was for the devil and his angels
Who through rebellion chose to dwell.

It was never meant to be
For war and chaos in our soul,
But when free-will worships the flesh
Unrighteousness it will unfold.

It was never meant to be
That unforgiveness cloaks our soul,
Since its tentacles will choke us
When it becomes a firm stronghold.

But it was always meant to be
That we are reconciled to Christ,
Through His sacrifice on the cross
And to have eternal life.

“But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:15

“Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:” Matthew 25:34

“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:” Matthew 25:41

“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:20-21

“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