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

IT’S NOT ABOUT THE FOLLOWERS…

It’s not about the followers
Because quantity will never last;
It’s the quality of those involved
With a richness that is vast.

Many followers will not guarantee
That your work is validated,
Particularly when ears are tickled
Or where words are overstated.

When crowds followed Jesus
Initially they were thrilled,
To hear His meaningful message
Or when food their bellies filled.

But when conviction did take place
Many followers departed,
Because Jesus knew how to expose
The false motives and half-hearted.

The twelve disciples did remain
And turned the world upside down,
With a simple message of timeless truth
That turned many hearts around.

It’s not about the followers
Because naturally the crowds do sway –
To a message that is watered-down
Since the flesh likes it this way.

It’s the quality that will remain –
To make a difference too,
Where transformation after conviction
Presents a message that is true!

“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

“From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, ‘Do you also want to go away?’ But Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.’” John 6:66-68

“Enter through 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

“Therefore, whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.” Matthew 7:24-25

“Then the disciples asked Him, saying ‘What does this parable mean?’ And He said, ‘To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’” Luke 8:9-10

“And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” Matthew 7:28-29

WHEN WE PRAY AMISS

When we pray amiss
It’s when we would like to see –
The outcome in its timing
And of how it all should be.

When we pray amiss
It’s so our petitions are fulfilled,
But most times they are self-focused
With an arrogance instilled.

Because the Bible makes it clear
That when we pray for our own pleasures,
The prayers do go amiss –
When our idol becomes our leisure.

There’s nothing wrong in having fun;
It’s a gift that is God-given,
But when the prayers become self-centred
By certain motives they are driven.

When we pray amiss –
With God we play a game,
Because true prayers bring transformation
Where the heart cannot remain the same.

For souls to be delivered –
And for healing from within;
These prayers are heaven focused
When we’re delivered from all sin.

Prayers for God’s direction
And where we can serve indeed,
Are priceless in God’s ears
When for souls we intercede.

Knowing that we’ll stand
Before our Creator’s throne,
Should place reverent fear in our heart
To remove that heart of stone.

Time is of the essence
And eternity is sure,
Lord have mercy and do lead us
Into the forevermore.

“You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” James 4:3

“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.” James 5:13

“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.” Ephesians 6:18

“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

“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 day our 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.” Matthew 6:9-13

THANKS BUT NO THANKS!

When we choose to reject Him
We are saying this effectively…
Thank you God but no thanks
For the provision that we see.

When we despise our dear neighbour
And where selfish ways abound,
It’s Thank you God but no thanks
For the trials that come around.

When we’re bitter or enraged
But where there’s a solution to make peace –
Thank you God but no thanks
When our anger is not released.

It’s not natural to despise
Our earthly parents and siblings,
So why hate our Heavenly Father
Who can deliver us from sin?

When we say Thank you God but no thanks
It’s a much deeper reality,
Where examination of the soul is required
So we can truly learn to see.

If Jesus chose unforgiveness
For the treatment He received,
Every one of us would be simply doomed
For all eternity.

And the pain that He endured
Is beyond anything we’d know,
But where true forgiveness flowed from His pure heart
So to hell we would not go.

Indeed the evil in this world
Is awful beyond measure,
But God’s judgement and His wrath is reserved –
Which never gives Him pleasure.

So next time we say Thank you
But no thank you to the Lord,
The Heavenly realm will keep account
And according to God’s word.

“Righteous are You, O LORD, when I plead with You; Yet let me talk with You about Your judgements. Why does the way of the wicked prosper?” Jeremiah 12:1

“For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more; Indeed, you will look carefully for his place, but it shall be no more. But the meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” Psalm 37:10-11

“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. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.” Hebrews 9:27-28

“For we know Him who said, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. And again, ‘The LORD will judge His people.’ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Hebrews 10:30-31

“For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ…” 2 Corinthians 5:10

“For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies, says the Lord GOD. Therefore turn and live!” Ezekiel 18:32

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

EVEN THERE…

God is acquainted with our ways;
He hears the whispers of our heart;
Can trace every thought and pattern –
What we finish and what we start.

And even there He’s with us
As His hand will guide and lead,
When He’s our Saviour and our best friend
As we ask Him to intercede.

When our tears soak our pillow
And when we’re lonely or afraid,
He will comfort us amidst the pain
When we’re rejected or betrayed.

Even there His grace sustains us
When we know His heart is near,
To subside the raging storms –
The anxieties and fears.

Daily we are reminded
That there’s evil everywhere,
When we’re focused on media outlets;
From prince of the power of the air.

But even there God knocks
For the focus to remain,
On Him and all His goodness
Where our future He sustains.

He is there among us
Through our prayers and hope within;
To remove the tares of doubt
And to eradicate our sins.

Thank God for Yeshua;
The Prince of Peace indeed,
Who sacrificed His life
So eternal life we’ll see.

“If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there
Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me.” Psalm 139:9-10

“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.” Psalm 139:7-8

“And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked
according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air,
the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience.” Ephesians 2:1-2

“And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

BROKEN PIECES

Broken pieces are not entirely
Forsaken or rejected too,
Since they’re a fragment of a whole
Awaiting to be made anew.

When we feel broken or abandoned –
The cracks they may appear,
But God mends us as He heals us
Since in His eyes we’re held so dear.

Broken pieces leave a scar
With pain that will run deep,
And the tears that do cascade
In a bottle God will keep.

He sees and He does hear
And He understands our pain;
His gentle arms will guide us
With a calm that will remain.

He’ll never leave us nor forsake us
Since a true Father never will,
And when we cry to Him for mercy
There’s a hope that is instilled.

He renews our heart and mind
As we learn to trust in Him;
He’ll protect us and provide
And will cleanse our soul within.

A new creation He will fashion;
A more dear and precious one,
As our spirit produces godly fruit
Conforming to His Son.

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3

“You number my wanderings; Put my tears in Your bottle; Are they not in Your book?” Psalm 56:8

“For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” Hebrews 13:5

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:26

“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

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

“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes;” Revelation 21:4

LESS THAN A MINUTE…

Our lives are just a vapour
In comparison to eternity,
Where millions and billions of years
Ultimately our soul will be.

It’s almost less than a minute
Where our frame on earth exists,
Where the timeline will be unfathomable
When life and eternity will kiss.

Less than a minute…
And hence the imperative of same,
Where Jesus is our Lord and Saviour
When the correct decision has been made.

Because He’s the only One
To die on the cross for our sins;
To erase the wrath of God
When we’re forgiven from within.

Less than a minute…
Yet the most important it will be,
As we’re created in His image
Where eternal rewards they will be seen.

Like a flower in our garden
Here today and gone tomorrow,
But where eternity will reveal –
Total bliss or total sorrow.

And it’s less than a minute
Where every moment counts indeed,
To become more and more like Christ
Until we enter eternity.

“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” John 17:3

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

“Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed, or the golden bowl is broken…And the spirit will return to God who gave it.” Ecclesiastes 12:6-7

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.” John 6:47

“And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Matthew 25:46

“That Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

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

THANK YOU

Thank You for another day
In Your garden that is sweet;
A harbor and a refuge
Where Your peace and joy will meet.

Thank You for Your presence
That’s reassuring and is strong,
That convicts so it can guide
And will highlight right from wrong.

Thank You that You’re steadfast
Where stability does dwell,
Where Your attributes are positive
With sincerity as well.

Thank You that although the storms
And winds and waves will come,
That our faith becomes our anchor
And by Your love we overcome.

Thank You Lord as we appreciate
With gratitude as well,
That Your Spirit leads and guides us
And where Your gentleness will dwell.

“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:15

“Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the Lord is the great God, and the great King above all gods.” Psalm 95:2-3

“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.” Psalm 100:4-5

“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

“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

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