The Call to Come

"And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.... Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus" (Revelation 22:17,20).

There is a call to every land,
To whosoever will,
That bids the foolish understand,
And thirsty drink their fill.

The call extends, not just to some,
But to every living soul.
The Spirit and the bride say, Come,
And Christ will make you whole!

There is a call to Christ our Lord
To come to earth again.
That day comes we look toward!
Even so, Lord, come! Amen!

The Goodness of God

"The goodness of God endureth continually" (Psalm 52:1).

The goodness of God that brought our salvation,
Continues forever, never takes a vacation.
Though evil abounds and continues to climb,
The goodness of God prevails through time.

Yesterday, today, and thus evermore
His goodness surrounds us, behind and before.
His love cannot fail towards you and me;
It continues through time and eternity!

No Need

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.... And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof... there is no night there" (Revelation 21:4,22-25).

Heaven has no tears or death,
No more sighs with sorrow's breath.
No more crying, no more pain,
Ever need be feared again.

There is no temple seen above,
There is no need in heaven thereof;
For God Almighty and the Lamb
Are worshipped as the great "I Am."

There is no need there of the sun,
Nor of the moon, their course to run.
The Lamb shines there with glorious light!
There is no need, nor is there night.

Order and Offer

"Offer unto God thanksgiving.... Whosoever offereth praise glorifieth Me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God" (Psalm 50:14,23).

Offer to God the praise He deserves
And you'll glorify Him everyday.
Order your life so it willingly serves
The purpose of God's perfect way.

Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord
And then He will lift you up.
Call on His name and He will reward
With grace that runs over your cup.

For God loved the world so much that He gave,
And offered Himself for the lost.
He ordered His life with a purpose to save
Poor sinners at so high a cost!

So offer to God a heart giving thanks
For all that our Savior has done.
No one would make it to heaven's banks,
Without Jesus Christ! No, not one!

P.S. 31 years ago today I discovered so gracious a Savior thus sought me and so great a salvation thus saved me. Hallelujah! What a Savior! What a salvation!

Forever Fearless

"Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?.... God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for He shall receive me. Selah" (Psalm 49:5,15). "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.... And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire" (Revelation 20:12-15). "Rejoice, because your names are written in heaven" (Luke 10:20).

Rejoice! Rejoice! As Jesus said,
Your names in heaven's book are read!
The book of life contains each name
Of those who fled from wrath and shame;
And found eternal refuge in our Lord:
Now there is no fear to look toward!

That day is surely drawing near
Do you see joy, or is it fear,
When God Almighty on His throne,
Declares who are and aren't His own.
Come to Christ! It's not too late;
You surely can't afford to wait!

God and Guide

"This God is our God forever and ever: He will be our Guide even unto death" (Psalm 48:14).

This God is our God forever.
He orders all things for our good.
He'll never forsake us; no never!
Though many by now surely would.

This God is our Guide forever.
He'll guide us each step of the way.
He'll counsel us in each endeavor,
With truth from His Word everyday.

Praises with Prudence

Christmas Day 2004

"Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding" (Psalm 47:6,7).

There are busy, subtle perils
In the seasonal routine:
We can sing the Christmas Carols
Not knowing what they mean.

"Hark! The herald angels sing!"
Have we listened to their song?
The prophetic message that they bring,
Have we understood it wrong?

"Veiled in flesh the Godhead see!"
Have we understood it thus?
That God came down for you and me,
As a Man to rescue us?

"God and sinners reconciled!"
Let's sing the song anew!
Hopeless sinners once defiled,
Are saved by grace! It's true!

Steadied in the Stillness

Christmas Eve, 2004

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble. Therefore will not we fear.... Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth" (Psalm 46:1-3, 10). "But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:20,21).

Amidst this world's noise and shame,
Our God commands: Be still.
It was in stillness angels came
With tidings of good will.

It was in stillness in the night,
While Joseph dreamed and thought,
An angel came with truth and light
To tell what God had wrought.

This world's confusion and its noise
Can never thereby know
Nor hear from God His still small voice,
He whispers soft and low.

Be still, therefore, that you may hear,
And think upon His name.
JESUS! Savior! Refuge near!
Forevermore the same!

The Joy in Jesus

"The joy of the Lord is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10). "And there were in the same country shepherds.... And the angel said unto them... Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.... And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this Child" (Luke 2:8-17).

There's joy in Jesus and His love;
And in that joy, strength from above:
Strength to live and give God glory,
Strength to tell the Gospel story.

Joy that filled each shepherd's heart,
When those angels did depart,
With strength to make it known abroad,
That Christ was born, the Son of God!

Oh Lord of heaven, send us thus
With joy that likewise strengthens us,
To share Your message once again,
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

The Boast of the Battle

"Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob. Through Thee will we push down our enemies.... In God we boast all the day long, and praise Thy name forever. Selah" (Psalm 44:8).

In God alone we make our boast;
He is our conquering King.
Death and Satan, with his host,
Lament to hear us sing:

Oh grave, where is your victory?
Oh death, where is your sting?
You lost it back in history,
To Jesus Christ our King!

Let's boast in Jesus all day long,
And thus proclaim His worth!
And spread the message of our song
To every place on earth.

The Sign and the Song

"And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous.... And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are Thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear Thee, O Lord, and glorify Thy name?" (Revelation 15:1-4).

Who, indeed, Lord, shall not fear
When Your judgment is brought near?
This is the song that we shall hear,
In the coming tribulation.

Kings of saints! Oh God of might!
Your ways are just and true and right!
Grace and truth came down with light,
To every tribe and nation!

Lord, let your song be heard on earth!
And let us thus proclaim Your worth,
And why You came in humble birth:
To bring us Your salvation.

Why the Woe?

"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God" (Psalm 42:11).

Tell me again, O my downcast soul,
The reason you're pouting today.
With redemption so free, salvation so full,
Why aren't you shouting, "Hurray!"?

How can you be sad at a time like this?
Can it be that you've misunderstood?
Or have you forgotten that promise of His,
That God works all things for our good?

Return to the joy that is found in the praise
That you rightly should give to your Lord!
Hope in your God, His promise, and grace,
And thus shall your joy be restored.

Concrete Counsel

"There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless, the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand" (Proverbs 19:21).

The devices of men shall fail.
The counsel of God shall prevail.
His truth, to the smallest detail,
Shall certainly all be fulfilled.

The word of our God shall stand.
The work of His almighty hand,
The decree of His sovereign command,
Shall accomplish all the He has willed.

The Thrill of His Thoughts

"Many, Oh Lord my God, are Thy wonderful works which Thou hast done, and Thy thoughts which are to usward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto Thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.... But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me" (Psalm 40:5,17).

How great are the thoughts of Your omniscient mind!
Their quantity numberless; quality kind!
How thrilling to know, Lord, You think upon me!
Your thoughts are my comfort; Your truth makes me free.

Hopeless Hushing

"I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue.... I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred. My heart was hot within me; while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue" (Psalm 39:1-3).

How can I silence my tongue,
While there's so many people in need?
Hearken, dear friends, old and young,
Eternity draws near with speed!

The ship you are sailing aboard,
Is like the Titanic's sure doom.
The lifeboat is Jesus our Lord!
Climb aboard, for still there is room!

Build and Battle

"They which builded on the wall... everyone with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon" (Nehemiah 4:17).

To build and to battle; yes, this is the call!
To work and to war, repairing the wall!
Rise up to the task again if you fall,
For Jesus is coming again.

The work is before us, repairing the breach.
The long war continues; be steadfast and preach!
Till Jesus returns, there's still more to reach!
Even so come, Lord. Amen!

Delightful Desires

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

Sweet object of my soul's delight!
Lord of love, of life, of light!
Jesus Christ has filled my sight,
And this is my desire.

So what have we to do with greed,
And vain desires we don't need?
For Jesus Christ will surely feed,
Our souls as they require.

The Hope of Home

"The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death" (Proverbs 14:32).

The wicked come, yet they will go.
Like the chaff the wind will blow,
Driven on, they cannot slow,
The horrors of their grave.

The righteous have a different end.
They trust their Savior, Lord, and Friend.
Ah! This is hope we comprehend,
That will forever save!

Bold to Build

"The God of heaven, He will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build" (Nehemiah 2:20). "I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18). "And after this I beheld, and lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb... and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb" (Revelation 7:9,10).

Brothers, sisters, rise and build!
For as our Lord and Savior willed,
His promise thus shall be fulfilled,
And hell shall not prevail.

Strengthen, then, determination!
Christ Himself is our Foundation!
His church advances with salvation,
With grace that shall not fail.

Every tongue and tribe and nation,
Gathers with each generation;
Hear their voice of jubilation:
All hail, King Jesus! Hail!

The COMFORT of COUNSELORS

"To the counselors of peace is joy" (Proverbs 12:20).

The counselors of peace are couriers of joy,
To men and to women, each girl and boy,
To the rich and the poor, to the greatest and least,
The glad tidings comes, announcing God's peace.

Peace by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Peace by the Savior, the Lamb sacrificed!
Peace, but not as the world vainly gives;
Peace in assurance that Jesus Christ lives.

Peace, for all who receive Him as Savior!
Peace freely given, unmerited favor!
Peace everlasting that never shall end,
Peace in our Lord, our Savior, and Friend.

Worthy of Worship

"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing" (Revelation 5:12).

Worthy! Worthy is the Lamb,
Of all I have and all I am!
Indeed He's worthy of much more,
Since I'm so weak and very poor!

For Jesus Christ my Lord was slain,
He gave His life, He took my pain,
To pay my looming debt for sin.
Now what should I withhold from Him?

Encouraging Eye

"I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with Mine eye" (Psalm 32:8).

With the eye of God upon me,
And the promise He will guide,
I'd trust Him more completely;
And in His love abide.

Eye of wisdom, Heart of love,
Watching over me each day,
Until I reach Your throne above,
Lead me in Your perfect way.

My Hopes in His Hands

"Into Thine hand I commit my spirit: Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.... My times are in Thy hand" (Psalm 31:5,15).

Into Your hand I commit my life;
My times, Lord, are in Your hands.
There's no safer place, in peace or in strife;
There's no better place for my plans.

Space for Grace

"And now for a little space, grace hath been showed from the Lord our God... that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving" (Ezra 9:8). "And I gave her space to repent... and she repented not" (Revelation 2:21).

The space of time that our God will give:
Is it not to repent of the way that we live?
Is it not that our God may lighten our eyes,
That we may return to Him and be wise?

Oh God, forgive us for wasting this space,
For taking for granted your patience and grace!
Revive us again, Lord, show us the way,
And give us a heart that will no longer stray.

Lackluster Love

"I know thy works.... Nevertheless have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works" (Revelations 2:4,5).

If our labor for God is mechanical duty;
Our heart is no longer caught up with His beauty;
If effort is loveless; its savor is bland,
It's time that our fire of first love be fanned!

Sorrowful Silence

"Unto Thee will I cry, O Lord my Rock; be not silent to me, lest, if Thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit" (Psalm 28:1).

Oh Lord, be not silent to me,
Lest, if you would, I'll admit;
In no time at all I would be
Like those who go down to the pit.

Kept in His Kindness

"Keep yourselves in the love of God.... Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen" (Jude 21,24,25). "Kept by the power of God" (1 Peter 1:5).

Continue in God's love so kind.
Yet while keeping this in mind,
Remember He is keeping you.
By His power and love so true,
Able to present His own,
Faultless, joyful, at His throne.

Prepped to Preach

"Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments" (Ezra 7:10).

Seeking, doing, teaching:
That's the proper way!
Before I start my preaching,
I must first obey.

May the truth be seen in me
That's consistent with God's Word.
May the things I do agree
With my teaching that is heard.

Secret of Safety

"The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him; and He will show them His covenant. Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord; for He shall pluck my feet out of the net.... Oh keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in Thee" (Psalm 25:14,15). "His secret is with the righteous... He giveth grace to the lowly" (Proverbs 3:32,34).

What's the secret of the Lord
That keeps us safe along the way?
It is to keep our eyes toward
Our Savior day by day.

His grace He always will impart
To those fear His name;
The meek and trusting, lowly heart
Will not be put to shame.

Knowing and Kneeling

"Who is this King of Glory?" (Psalm 24:8,10). "And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life" (1 John 5:20). "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow... and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:10,11).

Who is this King of Glory?
His name is Jesus Christ!
The Gospel tells the story,
How He was sacrificed.

Yes, sacrificed for you and me—
That's why He came to earth.
And now we gladly bow the knee,
And we confess His worth.

King of Glory! We confess,
And bow before Your name!
We thank you that You came to bless,
And take away our shame!

Farewell to Fear

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me" (Psalm 23:4). "But whoso hearkeneth unto Me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from the fear of evil" (Proverbs 1:33). "Perfect love casteth out fear" (1 John 4:18).

Farewell to all my former fears!
Though you have been with me for years,
You all must leave; now flee away,
For Christ my Lord has come to stay.

He walks with me through all of life,
In times of peace, in times of strife.
Now even death can't make me fear,
For in its shadow, Lord You're near.

So make Yourself at home, Lord, here;
As from my heart You cast out fear.
Whatever else You want to heave,
I'll bid farewell, good riddance, leave!