Tag: hope

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A FREE GIFT

It’s a gift and it is priceless;
The best one we could receive;
One that unwraps eternal life
When God’s heart did intercede.

We wouldn’t want to miss it –
Not for the world, at all;
It’s too precious to surrender
And too worthy of a call.

It is something we could never give
Since we are not qualified,
Only stain-free, spotless Jesus
Was pure and sacred in God’s eyes.

He was perfect in all His ways
And an example for us to see,
That His sacrifice was a dear gift
That forgives and sets us free.

Why would we want to miss it –
Since an exchange it did take place,
And the price was paid in full
So God’s wrath we do not face.

To reject it will speak volumes
Of how we choose to be,
And the condition of our soul
And where the light it will not see.

The gift is free – receive it;
It’s not too late whilst we have breath;
It’s the richest form and presence
And certainly one we won’t regret!

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights…”. James 1:17

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.”
Ephesians 2:8

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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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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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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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TAKEN FOR GRANTED

At times that we do wish
Of acquiring something new,
We believe that it will give us joy
With a happiness renewed.

And initially it may be a thrill
Where excitement takes the stage,
But where eventually its shine is lost
And where that happiness will fade.

Because to maintain all that we’re given
Requires hard work and loyalty,
With dedication and respect
So its blessings can be seen.

Those who live oppressed lives
Would give anything to be,
In our situation or circumstances
But where freedom may be seen.

When we take things for granted
We’ve lost our focus and our vision,
With God’s favour in all He’s blessed us with
That can affect our mission.

There will always be somebody
Or something better and wiser too,
But comparison comes to steal and destroy;
To whisper things that are not true.

When we truly learn to appreciate
All that’s been bestowed to us,
We thank God for every single day
Where gratitude becomes a must.

When we reject Christ’s sacrifice
Or take it for granted too,
We’ve lost respect for the author of life
Who is so pure, sacred and true.

We’re created for deeper things
Where God’s ways become ingrained,
In our heart and soul forevermore
Where His mercy will remain.

“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

“For the time has come for judgement to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now if the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?” 1 Peter 4:17-18

“Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness – by whose stripes you were healed.” 1 Peter 2:24

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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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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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THE SECRET GARDEN

In Your secret garden
Is where our heart it yearns to be;
Protected under Your shadow
Where many blessings we shall see.

Your garden is our fortress;
It’s our refuge and safe place,
Where Your tenderness and beauty
Is all we wish to face.

In Your garden You deliver
From the arrow and the snare,
As we surrender all to You
Knowing that You truly care.

Under Your wings is our safe haven
Where no plague is to come near,
And where no pestilence shall dwell
When Your voice we clearly hear.

In Your garden there are treasures;
It’s Your secret place as well,
Where You refresh us and restore us
So much peace and love can dwell.

Your garden is immaculate
Because it’s where Your Spirit lives;
Where Your restorative ways
Come from a heart that always gives.

Your garden is our palace;
It’s the castle in our heart,
When we bloom in our uniqueness
And are truly set apart.

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

“I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.’” Psalm 91:2

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

“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name.” Psalm 91:14