Thursday, June 30, 2005

Sight for the Sent

"Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of he Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when He had so said, He showed unto them His hands and His side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent Me, even so send I you" (John 20:19-21).

What a sight for mournful eyes!
What a word to hearts so sad!
Jesus promised He would rise:
He lives, He speaks, and we are glad!

He shows His hands and side pierced through,
As wondrous tokens of our peace.
He speaks the word, "Peace be to you,"
That joy and boldness may increase.

And then His words "So send I you,"
Commission us to go and tell.
And though the laborers are few,
Our Savior goes with us as well.

Wednesday, June 29, 2005

Resource to Run

"If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses?" (Jeremiah 12:5).

Weary runner, strength renew
That outruns footmen— horses too!
The resource that you need is grace
That God will give to run your race.

Tuesday, June 28, 2005

Life without Love

"O God ... my soul thirsteth for Thee, my flesh longeth for Thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is ... because Thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise Thee" (Psalm 63:1,3).

What would life be on this earth
Without God's lovingkindness?
Dark and hopeless from our birth,
A place of brutish blindness!

A dry and thirsty land of strife
With no rain from above;
How horrible would be this life
Without God's wondrous love!

Monday, June 27, 2005

Way and Walk

"O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. O Lord, correct me" (Jeremiah 10:23,24).

I know, O Lord, the way of man
That's pleasing in Your sight,
Is not his own, but is Your plan,
To guide his heart aright.

Correct me, Lord, as You see fit,
And teach me to obey.
Direct my walk, establish it,
In Your own perfect way.

Sunday, June 26, 2005

Hold me Higher

"From the end of the earth will I cry unto Thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the Rock that is higher than I" (Psalm 61:2). "Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in is might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me" (Jeremiah 9:23,24).

Lead me to the solid Rock that's higher than I am,
And not to this world's futile talk, its disappointing sham.
Its worldly wisdom, temporal might, and wealth are all vain;
It has no answers, strength to fight, nor everlasting gain.

Lead me on to Christ the Lord who gave Himself for me,
Who paid all heaven could afford to save and make me free.
Lead me to this higher plain, to Christ, my truest Friend!
All other ground is surely vain, both now and in the end.

Saturday, June 25, 2005

Vain vs. Valiant

"Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man. Through God we shall do valiantly: for He it is that shall tread down our enemies" (Psalm 60:11,12). "Jesus, therefore, knowing all things that should come upon Him, went forth .... that the saying might be fulfilled, O them which Thou gavest Me have I lost none" (John 18:4,9).

How vain is the help of man,
No matter how clever his plan!
But Jesus who led,
Who stood in our stead,
Will valiantly make us to stand.

How valiant is Jesus our Lord,
Who, knowing all things He moved toward,
His cruel persecution,
His cross, execution,
Went forth to redeem our reward!

Friday, June 24, 2005

Believer's Balm

"Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is not the health of the daughter of My people recovered?" (Jeremiah 8:22).

Is there no balm to make sinners whole?
None who can calm nor heal the soul?
There is, yes indeed, but it's still our decision
To come with our need, to Christ our Physician.

Thursday, June 23, 2005

Trusting through Tribulation

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).

Jesus alone could speak the of the things
That cheers us throughout tribulation.
He is the theme of the song our heart sings,
Regardless of our situation.

In Him we have peace, for He overcame;
Through death Jesus wrought our salvation.
And thus we are able to trust in His name,
And triumph in times of temptation.

Wednesday, June 22, 2005

Fixing my Fervor

"My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise. Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early .... Be Thou exalted, O God" (Psalm 57:7,8,11).

Awake now, my soul! Rise up from your sleep!
The time is long past to be straying like sheep.
My heart is now fixed: I will sing and give praise.
Be exalted, O God, in my words and my ways!

Tuesday, June 21, 2005

Weary Wanderer

"Thou tellest my wanderings: put Thou my tears into Thy bottle: are they not in Thy book? .... Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto Thee. For Thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not Thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?" (Psalm 56:8,12,13).

With every wandering there are tears.
And Lord, You know them, every one!
Alas! Those wasted days and years,
Are now deprived of God's "Well done!"

Weary wanderer, make your vow
To live your few remaining days
For Jesus Christ, from henceforth now,
To render to your Savior praise!

For God who saved your soul from death
Can keep your feet from falling.
So give your heart, your soul, and breath,
To Christ while He is calling.

Monday, June 20, 2005

Peculiar Peace

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27).

What's so different about our God's peace?
Is it unlike the world's, since it never will cease?
Or is it that God freely gives it in love?
Yes to both answers! It's all the above!

Sunday, June 19, 2005

Latter Logic

"Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end" (Proverbs 19:20). "The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and My people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?" (Jeremiah 5:31).

There's a logic of the present that does not see the end.
It loves to hear what's pleasant, and not what will offend.
Receive instead God's Word that has eternity in view.
If His counsel is not heard, in the end what will you do?

Saturday, June 18, 2005

Turn to the Tower

"The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe" (Proverbs 19:10).

In these times of unrest, where shall we run?
Where is there peace, in a world that has none?
Where is there safety, when it's all said and done?
Turn to the Lord, our strong Tower!

In a world of falsehood, where shall we go?
Where is there truth we can certainly know?
Where is salvation that God will bestow?
Turn to the Lord and His power!

In times of temptation, where shall we turn?
Where can we bring our deepest concern?
Where is true wisdom? From whom can we learn?
Turn to the Lord every hour!

Friday, June 17, 2005

Habitual Happiness

"I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.... If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them" (John 12:15,17).

Happiness has a prescription:
Just do what you know you should do.
This was our Savior's description,
And His life illustrated it too.

Thursday, June 16, 2005

Heart Healer

"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me" (Psalm 51:10). "Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto Thee; for Thou art the Lord our God" (Jeremiah 3:22).

God is ready to renew and cleanse the broken heart.
That is what He came to do, and what He would impart.
Return, return, backsliding soul, and God will heal you!
The Lord alone can make you whole, and longs to do so too!

Wednesday, June 15, 2005

Just Jesus

"Sir, we would see Jesus" (John 12:21).

Not this world's boasted wise,
Not its disappointing lies,
Not the things its money buys,
Just Jesus we would see.

Not this world's passing pleasure,
Not its fading temporal treasure,
Not success by this world's measure,
Just Jesus makes us free.

Tuesday, June 14, 2005

Grace for the Grave

"But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for He shall receive me. Selah" (Psalm 49:15). "But as many as received Him... were born... of God" (John 1:12,13).

There's no wisdom nor wealth nor power on earth
That saves us from hell without the new birth.
But God will redeem my soul from the grave;
And all who receive Him He likewise will save!

Monday, June 13, 2005

Forsaken Fountain

"Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the Lord. For My people have committed two evils; they have forsaken Me, the Fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water" (Jeremiah 2:13).

Let heaven be astonished and be horribly afraid,
And earth be thus admonished by the consequences paid!
The drought and desolation in our land that we now see;
Was brought upon our nation by our awful apathy!

For the Fountain of the living waters we callously forsook,
And deprived our sons and daughters of the truth within God's Book.
The broken cisterns that we gave them cannot quench their thirst;
Revive us, Lord, and thereby save them from this drought so cursed!

Sunday, June 12, 2005

Right is Right

"The thoughts of the righteous are right.... The way of a fool is right in his own eyes" (Proverbs 12:5,15).

The thoughts of the righteous are right,
Yet the fool thinks that he is right too.
No, it's not because we are so bright;
It's simply that God is so true!

Saturday, June 11, 2005

Student of Stillness

"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth" (Psalm 46:10). "I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for He will speak peace unto His people" (Psalm 85:8).

Be still and know that God today is speaking to His own.
Be still and know what God will say, the peace He would make known.
Be still and know, and hear His voice, which speaks from heaven's throne.
Be still and know, and hence rejoice, that He is God alone.

Friday, June 10, 2005

Readiness for Reverence

"My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the King: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer. Thou art fairer than the children of men.... Hearken... for He is thy Lord; and worship thou Him" (Psalm 45:1,2,11). "And Jesus said unto him, thou hast both seen Him, and it is He that talketh with thee. And he said, Lord I believe. And he worshiped Him" (John 9:37,38).

My hand is ready to write with the pen;
My tongue is prepared now to sing:
Fairer than all of the children of men,
Is Jesus, my Savior and King.

Hearken, my soul, and consider this fact,
That none with your God can compare.
Now worship your Lord; let nothing distract
Your heart from your Savior so fair!

Thursday, June 09, 2005

Almighty Attention

"To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My Word" (Isaiah 66:2).

The Lord turns His attentive look
To those who tremble at His Word;
To those who read His wondrous Book,
With heart to do what they have heard.

To him whose spirit is contrite,
To him who knows his dire need,
The Lord will pardon and delight;
Yes, God will look to him indeed.

Wednesday, June 08, 2005

It's All in the I Am

"And Abraham said... God will provide Himself a Lamb for a Burnt Offering" (Genesis 22:8). "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day: and he saw it, and was glad.... Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am" (John 8:58).

Abraham rejoiced to see the coming of the Lamb.
God gave His Word and he believed the promise of I AM.
And so we find in Christ our Lord, God's gracious invitation:
Come see! There's so much unexplored, in Christ and His salvation!

Tuesday, June 07, 2005

IF IDs

"IF ye continue in My word, then are ye My disciples indeed, and ye shall know the truth.... IF the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.... IF ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.... IF God were your Father, ye would love Me" (John 8:31,32,36,39,42).

Now IF you continue to feed on God's Word
You'll know indeed the truth that you've heard.

And IF you are trusting God's Son to be freed,
You'll find that the Son makes you free indeed.

And IF you, by faith, are Abraham's son,
You'll do the same works of faith that he's done.

And IF you are born of your Father above,
You'll worship the Savior, and serve Him in love.

Monday, June 06, 2005

Light of Life

"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the Light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life" (John 8:12).

The Light of the world has shined on my soul,
Exposing my sin, then making me whole.
His word is a lamp and a light to my path,
That leads me to heaven and saves me from wrath.

Sunday, June 05, 2005

Robe of Righteousness

"I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in God; for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness" (Isaiah 61:10).

Behold this robe of righteousness
That covers me with holiness!
It is the righteousness of Christ,
God's spotless Lamb once sacrificed.

Garment of my God's salvation,
How costly was your robe's creation!
I'm clothed in righteousness divine,
For Jesus died to make it mine.

Saturday, June 04, 2005

Willing to Will

"Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but His that sent Me. If any man will do His will, He shall know of the doctrine" (John 7:16,17).

If we're willing to do the will of the Lord,
We'll know of it too, and we'll have the reward,
Of His fullness of joy in our labor of love,
Equipped and employed by His grace from above.

Friday, June 03, 2005

Go to God

"From that time many of His disciples went back, and walked no more with Him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered Him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that Thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God" (John 6:66-69).

To whom shall we go, Lord, in our world of strife?
To whom shall we go, Lord, but You?
You have the words of eternal life;
We believe and are sure You are true.

To whom shall we go, Lord, in our world so odd,
It couldn't care less what You say!
To You, Lord, we come, our Savior and God,
Though many will still go away!

Thursday, June 02, 2005

Designed Desire

"Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart" (Psalm 37:4).

Delight yourself in Christ the Lord,
And you will surely find
That He shall wondrously reward
Your heart and soul and mind.

For He alone can satisfy
Your God-designed desire.
Why waste your fleeting time to try
And search this world's mire?

Wednesday, June 01, 2005

Life and Light

"Thou shalt make them drink of the river of Thy pleasures. For with Thee is the fountain of life: in Thy light shall we see light" (Psalm 36:8,9).

Lord, the fountain of life is with You.
Your pleasures therein grow and grow!
Your mercies spring forth ever new;
Your love is the source of its flow.

Lord, You are One who gives light;
In Your light we see what is true.
The darkness can't hide from our sight
The grace and the truth found in You.