Tag: faith

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THRIVE – NOT ONLY SURVIVE

Our mindsets they are powerful
And when we choose to muse on truth,
We feed our soul with nourishment
To produce much godly fruit.

But when we just survive
And struggle through each day,
It’s the trauma and the hurt
That will continue to remain.

We’ve all been subjected
To much pain and heartache too,
But to justify and stay the same
Will cripple us in all we do.

We’re created by God to thrive;
To learn and always grow;
To be nourished and inspired
Where God’s love it is bestowed.

Our circumstances may be tough
But temporary they will be,
And in the meantime lessons should be learned
So true blessings can be seen.

When fear grips our heart
It is debilitating indeed,
And blurs our vision and reality
Where God’s promises aren’t seen.

And when all is well we do forget
That we’re blessed beyond all measure,
And take for granted all the little things
That we neglect to treasure.

Life is precious – it’s beautiful
And when we truly learn to thrive,
We’ll have gratitude and we will grow
And not merely just survive.

Our Jesus has the victory
Always has and always will;
Let’s be inspired by His example
With a soul that’s calm and still.

“Revive us, and we will call upon Your name. Restore us, O LORD God of hosts; cause Your face to shine, and we shall be saved!” Psalm 80:18-19

“The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26

“Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” Acts 2:38-39

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BY THEIR FRUIT

When a tree reveals its fruit
The root system will reveal,
That there’s health and life within
When an abundance it does yield.

But when the tree is bad
It is rotten through and through,
Not watered or maintained
And is quite unsightly too.

When our words become arrows
Or there’s venom deep inside,
Out of the abundance of the heart
They’ll project and cannot hide.

But when our words are sweet
And like honey to the soul,
There is kindness with respect
Where many blessings do unfold.

We will know them by their fruit;
By their words and their deeds;
By the gentle grace that resides within
That seeks to plant good seed.

And we’ll know them by their fruit
When their words are sharp or mean,
And condemning and are bitter
Or where judgement can be seen.

Because when the branch is grafted in –
It is nourished by its source,
And maintained and watered well
Naturally and never forced.

When we abide in Christ
We’re the branch and He’s the vine,
With an order that is sacred
Sanctified, purely divine.

“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

“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit.” Matthew 12:33

“For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Matthew 12:34

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.” Matthew 12:35

“Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.” Proverbs 16:24

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

“The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.” Proverbs 18:4

“A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for blows. A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.” Proverbs 18:6-7

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PRODIGAL LIVING

There was once a prodigal son
Whose inheritance he did waste,
And misused all his possessions
Where much poverty he faced.

He would have gladly consumed pods
That the swine were given to eat,
But was refused from every angle
Thus suffered heartache and defeat.

He would focus on every pleasure;
Perhaps a drunkard many times;
Unaware of his imminent downfall
With much sorrow in his prime.

But when he had the revelation
Of his unworthiness indeed,
He returned to his dad with humility
So redemption may be seen.

We’re prodigals in many ways
When in our own strength we transgress,
Desiring to find joy without the Lord
Believing our ways are the best.

When we live beyond our means
And desire to impress others too,
These superficial ways consume us
And we’re fake in all we do.

When we spend on endless pursuits
Hoping to find some happiness,
It’s not until we find life in Christ
That we are truly blessed.

The Father is waiting patiently
For us to repent and to return,
And run into His arms of peace and love
To find what our soul it truly yearns.

“A certain man had two sons, and the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of my inheritance that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possession with prodigal living.” Luke 15:11-13

“But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want.” Luke 15:14

“And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!” Luke 15:16-17

“I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” Luke 15:18-19

“But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet…for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’” Luke 15:22-24

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THE SIGNIFICANCE OF OUR INSIGNIFICANCE

When we believe we’re not enough
Or that our deeds may not be seen,
It’s in the background we make progress
As we work behind the scenes.

When our left hand does not know
What our right hand it will do,
It’s in these dear precious moments
That God our heart He will renew.

Because it’s the prayers when on our knees
As we intercede to pray,
That touch the heart of God
When our tears have much to say.

It’s the teamwork as we’re humble
And want to serve instead of lead;
It’s the motives of our heart
When we conduct all of our deeds.

It’s the significance of a soul
That won’t embrace the credit too,
Knowing that the Lord gets all the glory
With all we say and what we do.

It’s the ‘insignificance’ that is honoured
By God and all His hosts;
It’s the rewards laid up in heaven
When in Jesus we shall boast.

There’s significance in our insignificance
When with the right heart, mind and soul,
We serve with love and kindness
And see the benefits unfold.

When Christ hung on the cross
It may have looked insignificant indeed,
But it was through a heart of love
That God Almighty intervened.

“But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.” Matthew 6:3-4

“But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” Matthew 6:17-18

“But all their works they do to be seen by men…they love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues…but he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Matthew 23:5-12

“Take heed that no-one deceives you.” Matthew 24:4

“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:17

“My soul shall make its boast in the LORD: The humble shall hear of it and be glad.” Psalm 34:2

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WHATEVER THINGS ARE NOBLE



Whatever things are noble
And whatever things are good,
Should be embedded in our soul
To be properly understood.

The brilliance of creation
And the hand that governs same;
When pure ways are chosen
And there’s reverence for His name.

The simplicity of nature
And the beauty that’s within;
The patterns of all flowers
And the wonder this does bring.

The sweetness of a gentle heart
That is kind and loving too;
The precious ways of loyalty
That are sincere and are true.

A smile that is genuine
And reflected through the eyes;
A humble spirit with a contrite heart
God truly won’t despise.

The devil wants us to focus
On all negative of ways,
Where fear and anxieties
In our heart and mind will stay.

But when there’s trust in Jesus
There’s a peace that’s unsurpassed,
With a joy that’s everlasting
And where love will truly last.

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” Psalm 23:6

“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.” Psalm 27:13

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

“The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.” Psalm 12:6

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Proverbs 14:12

“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.” Psalm 27:4

“And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.”
1 John 5:20

“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

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THE GREATEST LOVE STORY

It’s the epitome of love
In the most heartfelt of ways,
When Christ’s sacrifice was made
As our eternal debt was paid.

Pure love did set us free
When God’s wisdom was instilled,
As He sacrificed His only Son
When His mission was fulfilled.

It’s profound and it’s poignant
And indeed it needs to be,
To appease the Father’s wrath
When God’s Son did intercede.

It’s the greatest love story ever
Throughout all of history,
When Jesus died and rose again
To set our stained soul free.

But when there’s no understanding
Of the entire necessity,
It’s where it’s considered foolish
When eternal ways cannot be seen.

And His sacrifice may appear
To be too violent and extreme,
But it’s where there’s no concept of God’s holiness
That required Christ to intervene.

Our steadfast faith is needed
With the hope of eternal life,
To set our mind on things above;
And to focus on His light.

True love will never doubt
Because there’s a price to always pay,
And Jesus satisfied the requirement
So enemies we won’t remain.

No more enemies of God
When in the finished work we trust,
And receive Christ as Lord and Saviour
Respecting what He did for us.

And this is the greatest story
Of what love should really be,
When our friend laid His life down for ours
And considered our eternity.

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

“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4:10

“And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight – if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast…”
Colossians 1:21-23

“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

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,” Romans 1:18

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WHEN WE DIE…

It won’t matter what we worshipped
Since all has come to its demise;
The only thing that matters
Is what is precious in God’s eyes.

And it won’t matter what we owned
Since many times it did own us,
But rather what our heart encompassed
And in Whom we placed our trust.

Our friends’ opinions will not matter
Since many times weren’t verified,
And sometimes with hidden motives
Perhaps with jealousy or lies.

And it really will not matter
If technology reached the sky,
Or whether planets were inhabited…
Now that we have died.

But the finish line will matter
And whether our marathon was true,
As we raced to the author of our faith
And were thoroughly renewed.

Our struggles will not matter –
And we’ve had our share of same,
Since this new chapter and beginning
Will bring glory to His name.

And when the time will come
All our knowledge is stripped bare,
As our naked soul before Him stands
Without the worldly cares.

It won’t matter how rich or poor
In the end we really are,
But whether Jesus Christ was worshipped
From the heart – not from afar.

“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2

“So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.” Romans 14:12

“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

“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

“Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.” 1 Corinthians 8:1

“…and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” Hebrews 12:1

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OUR FORMER ADDRESS

Our former address is old
And we have since moved on from there,
As there’s a season for everything
With expired desires and cares.

Our former address has a history
And has served its purpose well,
But the time has come for things to change;
In new pastures we’re to dwell.

We shouldn’t choose to return
To our former address indeed,
Since it’s occupied by someone else
With different wants and needs.

And it’s where every piece of mail
To sender will be returned,
Because the old address is made redundant;
No longer wanted nor yearned.

Our former address has resigned
From all apparent needs,
And has paved the way for new adventures
Where with renewed vision we’ll see.

Our former address holds memories
Along with the bad and the good,
Where there’s lessons now that need to be learned
And perhaps better understood.

Because our old address has created
A redirection too,
Where new beginnings with faith and hope
Along with peace become true.

And we don’t return to a swept old house
Because the rooms will be occupied,
By insecurities and deceptive ways
Along with every lie.

Our new address has an identity
That is different and so true;
It has crucified its old avenues
And now there’s a love that is renewed.

“That you put off concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 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 4:22-24

“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

“When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came,’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first.” Matthew 12:43-45

“My tabernacle also shall be with them; indeed I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” Ezekiel 37:27

‘Therefore, we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16

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WE WILL NEVER REALLY KNOW…

We will never really know
What’s deep inside our heart,
Until the Lord reveals it
And exposes every part.

We will never really know
Who is truly in our midst,
Until a situation will occur
To reveal what we have missed.

And we never really know
What surrounds us all the time,
When we’re too occupied and busy
Or where clutter’s on our mind.

We never really know
When His return will be,
But when signs reveal the times –
We must be ready to take heed.

And we will never really know
Until we’re in eternity,
Of all the time we wasted
With the missed opportunities.

But there is One who knows it all
And when we place our trust in Him,
Although He knows all our shortcomings
He’ll remember not our sins.

Because His mercy will extend
As it marries His grace too,
When with a humble and repentant heart
We acknowledge He is true!

He sent His only Son
To take our place upon that cross;
To pay the heavy price
Since there was a required cost.

The eternal crowns are real
And we’ll never really know,
Of the impact we had made on earth
Until it’s time for us to go.

“Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; but he who trusts in the LORD, mercy shall surround him.”
Psalm 32:10

“Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times.” Matthew 16:3

“But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:14

“So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near – at the doors!…But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” Matthew 24:33-36

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NEVER GIVE UP HOPE

We all journey though many seasons
Where the weather may be rough;
When the wind and waves will stir our mind;
Where we’ve simply had enough!

And confusion may be present
In the circumstances we are in,
Where hope may be diminished
And there’s great sadness from within.

Perhaps our shoulders feel the burden
Like a heavy blanket in our midst,
When the pressure it amounts
With our comprehensive list.

And the reality is this:
That we may have all experienced,
Many moments filled with problems
Where the burden is immense.

But in these moments of our darkness
There’s a ray of hope indeed,
That situations will get better
When to the voice of God we heed.

He has promised to not leave us
And will not forsake our soul,
Since His promises are steadfast
When His word in us unfolds.

There’s a season for everything
And although our prayers may not be answered,
If it’s in God’s will and in His timing
Our petitions will be heard.

Never give up hope
Because the sun is always there,
And will spring forth through our clouds
To wipe away despair.

As we come to the Lord for mercy
He will wipe away our sins,
And forgive and heal our land
As we’re washed and cleansed within.

“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast…” Hebrews 6:18

“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

“I will bless the LORD who has given me counsel; My heart also instructs me in the night seasons.” Psalm 16:7

“Remember now Your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, ‘I have no pleasure in them.’” Ecclesiastes 12:1

“Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:13

“Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:5