Resolution to Remember

New Year's Eve

"They remembered not His hand, nor the day when He delivered them" (Psalm 78:42).

The year is coming to a close,
And our thoughts will likely move
To resolutions we suppose
Will help us to improve.

Thus as we ponder what should be
In contrast to what is,
The words of Christ "Remember Me,"
Should draw our hearts to His.

So let this resolution stand:
By grace may it be thus,
That we will not forget the hand
Of Him Who died for us.

Delight to Deliver

"The Lord knoweth how to deliver" (2 Peter 2:9).

Ponder this kernel of truth:
Our Lord God knows how to deliver.
Whether in old age or youth,
This comfort gives peace like a river.

Not only does our Lord know how
To deliver the trusting soul,
He delights to and will do so now,
Whenever we give Him control.

Precious Promises

"His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue: whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust" (2 Peter 1:3,4).

God's promises so precious
And so exceeding great
Are freely given to us;
We need no longer wait.

These promises are yours and mine
That we might each partake
Of God's own character divine
And ours like His remake.

Height of the Humble

"Lift not up your horn on high: speak not with a stiff neck. For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He putteth down one, and setteth up another" (Psalm 75:5-7). "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time" (1 Peter 5:6).

Get rid of the foolish and arrogant notion
That the future belongs to the proud.
For God is the Judge and grants the promotion
In His time to the one He's allowed.

Under the shadow of God's mighty hand
The humble are gladly at rest;
Content with purpose that Jesus has planned,
Assured that his timing is best.

Would be Wise

"Arise, O God, plead Thine own cause: remember how the foolish man reproacheth Thee daily.... The tumult of those that rise up against Thee increaseth continually" (Psalm 74:22,23). My son, be wise, and make My heart glad, that I may answer him the reproacheth Me" (Proverbs 27:11).

"My son, be wise, and cheer My heart,"
I hear my Father say.
What tender words can thus impart
A longing to obey!

And since it's so that I can make
My Father's heart be glad,
Then let me finally forsake
The sin that makes Him sad!

You hear the tumult of this world,
O God, against You rise,
So while reproaches thus are hurled,
O Lord, I would be wise.

So grant me wisdom, Lord, today
And victory in the strife,
That You may have somewhat to say
By the answer of my life.

Best of Both

"Thou shalt guide me with Thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but Thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside Thee" (Psalm 73:24,25).

Lord, whom have I in heaven above
That cares for me like You?
And who on earth guides with Your love
And perfect counsel too?

Lord, You are the very best
That both worlds have in worth!
You are my Refuge and my Rest
In heaven and on earth.

Day of Dominion

Christmas Day

"He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth" (Psalm 72:8).

The day is coming when there shall be
Christ's dominion from sea to sea.
But not so at our Savior's nativity;
And what about His place now in me?

Yes, He shall reign to the ends of the earth,
So very unlike it was at His birth.
Lord, reign in my heart; now have Your dominion,
Regardless of this world's changing opinion!

Telling the Times

Christmas Eve

"Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks (i.e. "sevens" of years, 49 years), and threescore and two weeks (i.e., 434 years)... And after three score and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for Himself" (Daniel 9:25,26). "Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow" (1 Peter 1:10,11).

Prophets searched and have inquired
To know what time God signified
When God's prophetic Word inspired,
Regarding Jesus, testified.

What a privilege is ours
To see what prophets longed to see!
Though we have no prophetic powers,
History shows us Calvary.

And history also shows the glory
Of our Savior's empty grave.
The fullness of God's great love story
Is on display in time to save.

Kept by our King

"His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope...who are kept by the power of God" (1 Peter 1:3,5).

With abundance of mercy He gave us new birth
And a hope that is living to which we now cling.
Until we have finished our journey on earth,
We are kept by the power of Jesus our King.

Patience of the Prophets

"Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.... Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience" (James 5:8,10).

Be patient, my brethren, establish your hearts;
The coming of Jesus our Savior draws near.
God always completes whatever He starts.
Let not your heart be troubled with fear.

Consider, my brethren, the prophets of old
Who faithfully spoke in the name of the Lord.
Take their example: be patient and bold.
God can be trusted, and He will reward.

Compassionate Command

"Thy God hath commanded thy strength: strengthen, O God, that which Thou hast wrought for us.... Ascribe ye strength unto God.... that giveth strength and power unto His people. Blessed be God" (Psalm 68:28,34,35). "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13).

Lift up your weary head and hands
And hear what God, our God, commands:
He gives us strength by His decree,
Then gently tells us, "Follow Me."

Blessed be our God of love
Who sends His power from above!
Hearts grow weary, eyes grow dim,
But God commands our strength through Him.

Shine to Share to Show

"God be merciful unto us, and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us... that Thy way may be known upon earth, Thy saving health among all nations" (Psalm 67:1,2).

God have mercy, shine Your face,
Bless and send us with Your grace
To share Your Gospel truth and wealth;
To show Your way and saving health.

See and Say

"Come and see the works of God.... Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what He hath done for my soul" (Psalm 66:5,16).

Come and see the works of God
Displayed in all the earth!
Let all creation now applaud
Our Lord and Savior's worth.

Come and hear, and I will tell
How Jesus saved my soul!
He has rescued me from hell;
He paid my debt in full.

Deliver Me from a Double Mind

"A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways" (James 1:8). "Teach me Thy way, O Lord; I will walk in Thy truth: unite my heart to fear Thy name. I will praise Thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart" (Psalm 86:11,12).

Lord, You have the only cure
For double-minded hearts:
The Word of God is quick and pure,
And healing grace imparts.

So let Your Word deliver me
From double-minded shame.
Unite my heart and set it free
To praise and fear Your name.

Contented Conversation

"Let your conversation be without covetousness, and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5).

What kind of blind insanity
Would rob me of content?
For Jesus gave Himself for me:
What more could He have spent?

Yet there is more! For He has said
That He will never leave!
What would I rather have instead?
What more could I receive?

Battle of the Better

"Thy lovingkindness is better than life" (Psalm 63:3). "Better is... righteousness... wisdom... an humble spirit... and he that ruleth his spirit" (Proverbs 16:8,16,19,32). "But ye are come... to Jesus, the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel" (Hebrews 12:22,24).

Be done with worldly, lesser things:
Behold in Christ the best!
Behold His lovingkindness brings
His satisfying rest!

Better is His righteousness,
And the wisdom of His Spirit,
That God imparts to save and bless,
To those with ears to hear it.

The blood of Abel testifies
Against his guilty brother,
But Jesus' blood that justifies
Speaks better than the other!

Compared to Jesus, none is greater;
From this world we turn away.
For Jesus Christ our Mediator,
Has better things to say.

Finisher of Faith

"Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:1,2). "My soul followeth hard after Thee: Thy right hand upholdeth me" (Psalm 63:8).

Looking unto Jesus, our Savior and our Goal,
We find the strength we need to run the race.
So let us run with patience as the Lord upholds our soul,
To finish, as we started, by His grace.

My Haven and My Heritage

"For Thou hast been a Shelter for me.... Thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear Thy name" (Psalm 61:3,5). "In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and His children shall have a place of refuge" (Proverbs 14:26).

Lord, You have been my Haven and a Shelter from my shame.
You gave to me the heritage of those who fear Your name.
What confidence is mine, O Lord, with those who rest in grace!
What Refuge I have found with all Your children in this place!

Faith in Facts

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1).

Faith in God is based on facts;
It's hope's substantiation.
It weighs the evidence of acts
That meet our expectation.

Thus we have faith's definition,
Its substance, and its proof.
Honest seekers gain admission,
While scorners stand aloof.

A Little While and the Lord Will

"For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry" (Hebrews 10:37).

A little while and He shall come,
He shall not tarry on that day.
In spite of mockery by some,
Our Lord will come, and not delay.

Sanctifying Sacrifice

"We are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all" (Hebrews 10:10).

Once and only once was our Savior crucified;
He did not need to suffer for us twice.
Thus by the offering of Himself we are sanctified;
We need no other plea or sacrifice!

Fixed Faith

"I lie even among them that are set on fire.... My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed" (Psalm 57:4,7). "Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace... But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up" (Daniel 3:17,18).

Lord, fix this fickle heart of mine
Upon my God and Savior,
And thereby let Your light so shine
In all of my behavior.

For faith is tested by the fire,
To know what sort it is.
Let Christ be found my chief desire,
To show that I am His.

Wandering and Weeping

"Thou tellest my wanderings: put Thou my tears into Thy bottle: are they not in Thy book? When I cry unto Thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me" (Psalm 57:8,9).

What is the cause of my wand'ring and weeping?
The answer is found in God's wonderful Book!
It's not because God is indifferent or sleeping,
But rather because of my wandering look.

But God is still for me, I surely do know,
In each of my trials and all of my tears,
With goodness and mercy wherever I go;
I know every time that I cry that He hears.

Secrets of Seasons

"Blessed be the name of God forever and ever: for wisdom and might are His: and He change the times and the seasons.... But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known... what shall be in the latter days" (Daniel 2:20,21,28).

The secrets of the seasons from human eyes concealed
Cannot by human reason be discovered nor revealed.
But there is a God above who makes His secrets known,
And manifests His love through Christ toward His own.

Answer and Anchor

"[We] have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope that is set before us: which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; whither the Forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus" (Hebrews 6:18-20).

Jesus is the answer for those who long for hope,
For those who look for reasons and in the darkness grope.
Jesus is the anchor for the souls of all His own,
A refuge in the storm, sure and steadfast as His throne.

Daniel's Determination

"But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank" (Daniel 1:8). "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God" (Romans 12:2).

Though others thought his choice unwise,
Daniel would not compromise.
And now we see his purposed heart
In retrospect was really smart!

Lord, give our hearts determination,
Just to know that You have smiled;
And not for this world's expectation,
Not conformed, and not defiled!

Goodness of God

"The goodness of God endureth continually" (Psalm 52:1). "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).

The goodness of God cannot be diminished;
In the time of our need He has plenty of grace.
Until we are home and our course has been finished,
Let's draw from His mercy and strength for our race.

Inward Interest

"Behold, Thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part Thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me... wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.... Create in me a clean heart" (Psalm 52:6-10).

God is concerned with our innermost part,
Not with pretentious, religious behavior.
Search me, O God, exposing my heart,
Cleansing my sin by the blood of my Savior.

Calling Continually

"The mighty God, even the Lord, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof" (Psalm 50:1). "How shall we escape, if we neglect to great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him, God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to His own will?" (Hebrews 2:3,4).

The Mighty God, the Prince of Peace,
Has called the earth and does not cease
To send His servants forth to tell:
There is but one escape from hell.

What more, oh sinner, could God say?
His words and works are on display!
What more could our Lord Jesus do?
For even now He's calling you.

Reception by Redemption

"They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches, none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him.... But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for He shall receive me. Selah" (Psalm 49:6,7,15). "The Son of Man came... to give His life a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45).

So let the worldly boast of wealth,
Temporal pleasure, fleeting health.
But all these things must pass away,
And these cannot our ransom pay.

But God Himself redeemed my soul;
My price was weighed and paid in full.
For Jesus gave Himself for me,
And I am His eternally!

God and Guide

"We have thought of Thy lovingkindness, O God.... According to Thy name, O God, so is Thy praise.... This God is our God forever and ever: He will be our Guide even unto death" (Psalm 48:9,10,14).

O God, our God eternally,
Our Guide as well through all our days,
Your lovingkindness sets us free,
And fills our hearts with grateful praise.

Kindness of our King

"The kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared... which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that being justified by His grace we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life" (Titus 3:4,6,7).

Behold the kindness of our King!
Behold our God and Savior's love!
Heirs by grace together sing
With heaven's choral host above!

The King of heaven has appeared:
Behold the great "I Am!"
He bore the judgment that we feared
As God's unblemished Lamb.

Looking and Laboring

"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works" (Titus 2:13,14).

Looking for that blessed hope,
While we wait for God our Savior,
Calls us not to merely cope,
But to testify with our behavior.

Jesus Christ shall come again,
So let us labor while we look.
Even so, Lord, come! Amen!
Fulfill the promise of Your Book!

Faithful though Forsaken

"All men forsook me... Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me" (2 Timothy 4:16,17). "He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5).

When we see ourselves forsaken
And we think we are alone,
Look again; do not be shaken:
God never leaves His own.

Finishing Forecast

"My departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:6,7).

There is a fight that must be fought.
There is a race that must be run.
There is a faith that must be taught
And lived each day through God the Son.

But God will help us finish well
In all that He would have us do.
And after all is done we'll tell
That it was grace that brought us through.

Workman in the Word

"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.... This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be... ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth" (2 Timothy 2:15, 3:1,2,7).

Workman in the Word of truth,
Show yourself approved by God.
Speak to aged; speak to youth;
Though some may mock and some applaud.

For in these perilous, last days,
The world would rather heed a fable
Than know the truth and give God praise;
And so they learn, and are not able.

Help and Health

"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.... for I shall yet praise Him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God" (Psalm 42:5,11). "If we believe not, yet He abideth faithful: He cannot deny Himself" (2 Timothy 2:13).

Why, my soul, are you cast down?
God's help and health are on your side!
When circumstances seem to frown,
His faithfulness shall still abide.

Spiritual Specialties

Thanksgiving Day

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7).

Thanks be to God for His Spirit of power,
Giving us strength everyday, every hour.
Thanks be to God for His Spirit of love,
Sent from the heart of our Savior above.
Thanks be to God for His Spirit's sound mind:
His will to obey, His wisdom to find.

Victory in the Volume

"Sacrifice and offering Thou didst not desire; mine ears hast Thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast Thou not required. Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of Me, I delight to do Thy will, O my God: yea, Thy law is within My heart" (Psalm 40:6-8). "For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect" (Hebrews 10:1). "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:57).

The volume of the book contains
The prophecy of Christ,
And clearly there our Lord explains
Why He was sacrificed.

For all the offerings of the past
Are not what God desired:
For these were only shadows cast
To show what He required.

"I come to do Thy will," He said,
In His prophetic voice:
And thus He suffered in our stead.
Give thanks to Him! Rejoice!

Wait for What?

"And now, Lord, what wait I for? My hope is in Thee" (Psalm 39:7).

My hope is not in fleeting health
To lengthen days upon this earth;
Nor is it in the temporal wealth
That estimates our worldly worth;
Nor is it in attractiveness
That draws fair weather friends:
My hope is in the Lord, no less;
My soul on Him depends.

Guard the Gift

"Neglect not the gift that is in thee.... Take heed unto thyself, and unto doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee" (1 Timothy 4:14,16).

Neglect not the gift which was given to you;
That gift was entrusted to you with salvation.
Take heed to yourself; hold fast to the true,
For the sake of those hearing and your preservation.

Double Delight

"Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give the desires of thine heart... The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and He delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with His hand" (Psalm 37:4,23). "Man's goings are of the Lord: how can a man then understand his own way?" (Proverbs 20:24).

Delight yourself today in the Lord
And He will give you a sure reward:
For the very desires that are on His heart
Will be the same longings that He will impart.

Then filled with desires thus holy and true,
The Lord will be also delighted in you.
And He will direct you each step of the way,
Restoring your soul with His grace everyday.

Love, Life, and Light

"How excellent is Thy lovingkindness, O God!... For with Thee is the fountain of life: in Thy light shall we see light" (Psalm 36:7,9).

Lovingkindness, life, and light:
How spectacular the sight!
Your mercy flows! Salvation springs!
Lord, in Your light we see these things!

Say to my Soul

"Say unto my soul, I am thy salvation" (Psalm 35:3).

Say to my soul, Lord, "I am your salvation."
I know it's true, and my heart says, "Amen!"
I'll never be weary of Your affirmation.
Whisper it often, again and again.

Faithful to the Feeble

"The Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil" (2 Thessalonians 3:3).

Faithful is the Lord our God
Who shall establish you
By guiding staff, corrective rod,
And counsel that is true.

He knows that we are feeble,
That we are prone to stray.
But He shall keep you from the evil
That you will face today.

The Thrill of His Thoughts

"The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: He maketh the devices of the people of none effect. The counsel of the Lord standeth forever, the thoughts of His heart to all generations" (Psalm 33:10,11).

The counsel of heathen shall one day be gone,
Diminished with every device of the nations.
The counsel of God shall go on and on,
The thoughts of His heart to all generations.

Errorless Eyes

"I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way thou shalt go: I will guide thee with Mine eye" (Psalm 32:8). "The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good" (Proverbs 15:3).

The eyes of the Lord are in every place
Beholding the evil and good.
Unerring in judgment, in truth, and in grace,
There's nothing He's misunderstood.

The eyes of the Lord are fixed upon me;
He's aware of my every need.
I'll trust in His eyes for what I can't see;
I'll trust in His hand to lead.

Solaced Sorrow

"Ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him... Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words" (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

Comfort one another with the solace Jesus gives;
We sorrow not as those who know not that He lives.
Soon our Lord will come again and bring with Him His own;
Then we which are remaining shall be caught up to His throne!

Morning after Mourning

"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning" (Psalm 30:5).

Are you weary of the world's scorning,
And weeping through its night of pain?
Wait, beloved, for the morning;
The light of dawn shall make it plain.

Though few regard the Scripture's warning
That our Lord shall come to reign,
Wait, beloved, for the morning;
His promise surely is not vain!

Get and Give

"Give unto the Lord, O ye mighty, give unto the Lord glory and strength... The Lord will give strength unto His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace" (Psalm 29:1,11).

Give to the Lord what He first gave to you.
Draw from His strength and His glorious peace.
Give to the Lord the praise He is due;
You cannot exhaust what God will increase.

Maximize your Ministry

"Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it" (Colossians 4:12).

Take heed to the ministry you have received,
Fulfilling the purpose that God has for you.
The calling of God when you first believed
Equipped you with grace for your ministry too.

Affirming our Affection

"One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after... to behold the beauty of the Lord" (Psalm 27:4). "Set your affection on the things above, not on things on the earth" (Colossians 3:2).

It's time we affirm the things that we love:
Is it things on the earth or things up above?
Are we focused on things that are passing away,
Or redeeming the time for our Lord everyday?

Lord, give us hearts with a single desire:
To set our affection on things that are higher;
Higher than temporal things on this earth,
Exalting our Savior, proclaiming His worth.

Wisdom is Waiting

"Wisdom hath... furnished her table... As for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled" (Proverbs 9:1-5).

Wisdom has furnished her table and said:
"Come to the table and eat of my bread;
Drink of the wine that is mingled for you."
Wisdom is waiting; now what will you do?

The table is spread with bread and with wine.
Jesus invites us today, "Come and dine."
His body and blood are symbolized here.
Wisdom is waiting for you to draw near.

Manifest the Mystery

"Wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it" (Proverbs 8:11). "The mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations... now is made manifest to His saints... which is Christ in you, the hope of glory... in Whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 1:26,27, 2:3).

Christ in us, the Hope of glory,
Is unveiled to His own.
Let us now proclaim the story;
Make the mystery in Christ known!

Manifest the wondrous treasures
Which are hid in Christ our Lord!
Far exceeding temporal pleasures
Are the riches in Him stored!

Properly Preeminent

"Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.... Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory" (Psalm 24:10). "...That in all things He might have the preeminence" (Colossians 1:18).

Who is this King of glory and grace,
Who rightly deserves the preeminent place?
The Lord strong and mighty, victorious in strife,
Who fought to the death to rescue my life.

Who is this King of glory and love,
Who yet will return with His saints from above?
The Lord Jesus Christ; Lord of hosts is His name!
Come, reign in my heart, Lord; preeminence claim!

Satisfied by His Supply

"The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want... He leadeth me beside the still waters... He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.... Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life" (Psalm 23:1-6). "But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19).

In every place my Shepherd leads,
He surely will supply my needs.
As in stillness, so in strife,
His grace shall satisfy my life.

Pressing for the Prize

"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.... We look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself" (Philippians 3:14,20,21).

Pressing on toward the prize
Of our calling in the Lord,
Requires us to fix our eyes
On Christ our Portion and Reward.

Pressing on toward the prize,
We see the finish line ahead,
When we shall in His likeness rise;
We shall be changed, just as He said.

Ponder the Path

"The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.... Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established" (Proverbs 4:18,26).

Ponder the path of the just
That shines ever brighter with light.
This world and all of its lust
Will soon pass away as a night.

Ponder the path of your feet;
Turn not to the left or the right.
Walk in a manner that's meet
For approval in God's holy sight.

Should and Shall

"Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee SHOULD bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue SHOULD confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:9-11). "Unto Me every knee SHALL bow, every tongue SHALL swear" (Isaiah 45:23).

It's at the name of Jesus Christ
That every knee should bow;
Though some on earth do otherwise,
Resisting Him— for now.

But there's a day we look toward
When every knee shall bend,
And every tongue shall call Him Lord;
Be sure of this, my friend.

Model Motto

"Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:20,21).

What a motto, true and plain:
To live is Christ; to die is gain!
Thus let it be for all my days
In life or death to give God praise.

Armed and Armored

"Take unto you the whole armor of God... and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God" (Ephesians 6:13,17).

Put on the armor of God today;
Take also His Spirit's sword.
The powers of darkness are set in array,
But the victory belongs to the Lord.

Likeness of my Lord

"Men of the world... have their portion in this life... As for me, I will behold Thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness" (Psalm 17:15).

Worldly men are gratified
With their portion in this life,
As history has testified
By their greed and bitter strife.

But as for me, I'm satisfied
With God's marvelous reward:
I shall awake when I have died
In the likeness of my Lord!

Lines of my Lot

"The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: Thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. I will bless the Lord.... Therefore my heart is glad.... Thou wilt show me the path of life: in Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore" (Psalm 16:5-7,9,11).

Lord, You are my Portion, and You maintain my lot.
The lines have fallen pleasantly! Oh what a happy thought!
And I will bless You, precious Lord, for all that's yet in store:
In Your presence fullest joy and pleasures evermore!

Walking Worthy

"[W]alk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.... for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of he body of Christ" (Ephesians 4:1,12).

Each child of God has a special vocation
Bestowed by our Lord with two objects in mind:
One is God's church and its edification,
The other to reach the spiritually blind.

Abundantly Able

"Now unto Him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be the glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen" (Ephesians 3:21).

Exceedingly, abundantly above all we ask,
And even all we dare to think:
Yes, that is the power God has for the task,
When His will and our prayers are in synch.

Ruins to Riches

"And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; wherein time past ye walked according to the course of this world... and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ (for by grace are ye saved)... that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:1-7).

Dead in sins! Could it be worse?
We fell beneath rebellion's curse!
But God beheld our ruined state,
And loved us with His love so great.

Yes, Love descended to this place
To share the riches of His grace.
And through eternal days above
He'll show the riches of His love.

Pure and Preserved

"The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, Thou shalt preserve them from this generation forever" (Psalm 12:6,7). "Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer" (Proverbs 25:4).

The words of the Lord are first of all pure,
As a vessel God purges from dross.
The words of the Lord shall also endure,
Preserved and protected from loss.

Flee from the Flame

"In the Lord put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? .... The Lord is in His holy temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven: His eyes behold, His eyelids try, the children of men... Upon the wicked He shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup" (Psalm 11:1,4,6).

How can you say to me, "Flee as a bird!"
As if God were not on His throne?
Our Lord is watching. Oh, haven't you heard?
He still can take care of His own.

Flee rather, my friend, from the flame yet in view,
For the souls that reject Jesus Christ.
Jesus is calling; there's still room for you
At the cross of the Lamb sacrificed.

Fruit of our Freedom

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free... This I say then, walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh... But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law... But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law" (Galatians 5:1,16,22,23).

The fruit of our freedom is shown in our life
When we're led by the Spirit, in peace or in strife.
Here love, joy, and peace from the Spirit abound;
Likewise are patience and gentleness found.

Goodness and faith are abundant and full,
With meekness of heart, and mature self-control.
So let us stand fast in this freedom and power
That manifests Christ in our life every hour.

Given to God?

"My son, give Me thine heart" (Proverbs 23:26).

God wants your heart. To whom is it given?
If not to our Lord, who or what will it be?
You cannot be neutral and be purpose-driven.
Give it to God, and your heart will be free.

Exalted in Excellence

"O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Thy name in all the earth" (Psalm 8:9). "A good name is rather to be desired than great riches... A prudent man foreseeth the evil and hideth himself" (Proverbs 22:1,3).

O Lord, our Lord, in all the earth, how excellent Your name!
You gave to us Your righteousness, and took away our shame!
And thus we find within Your name our perfect hiding place;
Exalted in Your saving love, our refuge is Your grace.

Carnal Confusion

"This only would I learn of you: Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?" (Galatians 3:2,3).

By grace through faith we have been saved,
When we were hopelessly depraved.
And with salvation we received
God's Spirit when we first believed.

Having thus by grace begun,
Shall we in our own strength run?
No! Let us run just as we started,
By the Spirit God imparted!

Crucified with Christ

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2:20).

I am crucified with Christ,
And thereby I am free
To be a living sacrifice
For Him who died for me.

Accounted Accursed

"[B]e wise in thy latter end. There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless, the counsel of the Lord shall stand" (Proverbs 19:20,21). "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so say I now again: if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed" (Galatians 1:8,9).

The Gospel we're preaching must be in the end
That which was given by Jesus at first.
We all have sinned and must be born again;
Account other gospels accursed.

Triune Treasure

"Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased" (Psalm 4:7). "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of he Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen" (2 Corinthians 13:14).

The grace of our Lord Jesus' union
And the love God without measure,
And the Spirit of God's sweet communion:
Are my unequaled Triune Treasure!

Spend and be Spent

"And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you" (2 Corinthians 12:15).

My Savior in love was given for me;
To that very end He was sent.
By His example I clearly can see
I likewise should spend and be spent.

Welcome Weakness

"And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me" (2 Corinthians 12:9).

If weakness must come for grace to be known,
If God's own sufficiency thereby is shown,
If strength be the harvest where weakness is sown,
Then weak I would rather be.

Weakness is welcome if this is God's way
To experience grace that He gives day by day.
"My grace is sufficient," I hear my Lord say,
And that is enough for me.

Subtlety vs. Simplicity

"But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:3).

Satan's craft is subtlety
By which he would deceive
And rob us of simplicity
In Christ when we believe.

Constantly Captive

"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Constantly captive, let every thought be;
Replace every thought with truth that makes free.
Oh Lord, set a guard at the door of our minds,
To purge every thought that Your holy eye finds.

Unspeakably Unsparing

"Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable Gift" (2 Corinthians 9:15). "He...spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all" (Romans 8:32).

Thanks be to God for His unsparing love
That gave His unspeakable Gift from above.
He spared not His Son! What words can suffice
To rightly give thanks for our Lord Jesus Christ?

Guided by Grace

"Prove the sincerity of your love. For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich" (2 Corinthians 8:8,9).

You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
That He left heaven's riches to be sacrificed.
He thereby enriched us with infinite treasure,
And left us a model for love's truest measure.

Sorrow of Salvation

"For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death" (2 Corinthians 7:10).

The sorrow of salvation
That calls us to repent,
Leads to restoration
And comfort heaven sent.

There is a worldly sorrow
That only leads to death.
It sees no hope tomorrow;
It robs us of our breath.

Notion of Now

"Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2).

"Now" is a very illusive time:
How quickly it slips away!
Now is that singular moment sublime
To seize while it's called today.

"Now" is that time to redeem
For Jesus who ransomed your soul.
Treat every "now" with esteem,
And live every day to the full.

Recommedation of Reconciliation

"Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them, and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God" (2 Corinthians 5:17-20).

God in Christ, who reconciled
Our souls by His salvation,
Made each of us, though once defiled,
In Christ, a new creation.

And God gave us the ministry
In His own stead to say:
The truth in Christ will set you free!
Be reconciled today!

Weigh the Worth

"Wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.... Riches and honor are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness" (Proverbs 8:11,18). "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).

Weigh the worth of what you cherish,
For things we see will soon be gone.
Yes, temporal things we know shall perish,
While things unseen continue on.

The things we see are temporary,
But things unseen our God secures.
Eternal wealth, though it must tarry,
We know forevermore endures.

So let us rightly weigh the worth
Of temporal things that we hold dear,
And loosely hold to things on earth:
Eternity is drawing near.

Call to Cause

"Cause me to hear Thy lovingkindness in the morning: for in Thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto Thee" (Psalm 143:8).

Lord, cause me hear Your love in the morning,
For in You do I trust everyday.
Lord, cause me to know Your will and Your warning,
And thereby to walk in Your way.

Savor of our Savior

"Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savor of His knowledge by us in every place. For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savor of death unto death; and to the other the savor of life unto life" (2 Corinthians 2:14-16).

Thanks be to God for our triumph in Christ,
And the savor of Jesus, for us sacrificed.
That savor arises to God's holy throne,
And is now manifested in all of His own.

That fragrance to some is death's potent savor;
The wages of sin that were borne by our Savior.
To others, the sweetness of life unto life,
Of Christ's resurrection and victory in strife.

Comfort out of Calamity

"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort, who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God" (2 Corinthians 1:3,4).

Blessed be God who comforts our souls!
When the tide of calamity over us rolls,
He is our refuge, our strength, and salvation;
And thereby we comfort with His consolation.

Maranatha Meditation

"If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema; Maranatha" (1 Corinthians 16:22).

The Lord is coming! Blessed thought!
Yet cursed are those who love Him not.
If in Christ you live, sing Maranatha!
The alternative brings Anathema.

For Jesus died to bear our curse.
He bore our Anathema first.
He pleads, oh sinner, flee from wrath;
Come walk the Maranatha path.

Always Abound

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:58). "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21).

Always abound in the work of the Lord;
There's no higher honor, no greater reward.
Our labor of love surely won't be in vain,
Since our living is Christ, and dying is gain.

After Adam

"For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.... And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening Spirit.... The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second Man is the Lord from heaven" (1 Corinthians 15:22, 45,47).

After Adam's tragic fall,
Death was ushered in.
And so in Adam's race we all
Are likewise born in sin.

So in Adam all must die;
For our nature and behavior.
But God in love could not stand by:
He sent to us a Savior!

Hallelujah! Christ arrived,
The Lord from heaven above!
And so in Him we're made alive,
And rescued by His love!

Song for all Seasons

"How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?" (Psalm 137:4). "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season" (2 Timothy 4:2).

There is no land or season wrong
To sing our Lord and Savior's song.
People everywhere still need to know
That Jesus saves; let's tell them so!

In every place and every time,
Let's share the Gospel news sublime.
Let's sing the Lord's song while we may,
In this timely season called "today."

Lessons in the Little

"There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise: the ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer; the conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks; the locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands; the spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces" (Proverbs 30:24-28). "Let all things be done decently and in order" (1 Corinthians 14:40).

There are little creatures on the earth
That God in wisdom made,
To show His order and the worth
Of principles displayed.

Behold the ants, how they provide
In summer, winter stocks.
See the conies, how they hide
Their houses in the rocks.

The locusts always go in bands,
With no king among them shown,
The spider takes hold with her hands,
And climbs the palace throne.

How wisely God has thus displayed,
Foresight, refuge, harmony,
The throne of grace where we have prayed—
So many lessons here we see!

Sharing the Shown

"Then I spake unto them of the captivity all the things that the Lord had showed me" (Ezekiel 11:25). "How is it then, brethren? When ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine... Let all things be done unto edifying" (1 Corinthians 14:26).

Whatever God has shown to you,
A psalm, a doctrine, precept true,
Share it when the time is right;
Encourage others with its light.

Let's do all things for edifying,
And not for our self-gratifying,
Sharing what is shown to us,
That we may comfort others thus.

The Length of Love

"Charity suffereth long... endureth all things. Charity never faileth" (1 Corinthians 13:4,7,8). "Many waters cannot quench love" (Song of Solomon 8:7).

Love continues through the night,
And love endures the pain.
Love exposes by its light
That lesser drives are vain.

Love shall never, never fail,
For none can quench its fire.
Through every storm it shall prevail,
And never, never tire.

Harmony of Hermon

"Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like... the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore" (Psalm 133:1-3). "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them" (Matthew 18:20).

Behold, how good it is to see
Among God's people harmony.
It's like the blessing of God's dew
That beautified Mount Hermon's view.

Yes, this is where God's blessing came,
And thus it is in Jesus' name:
Where two or three in His name share,
God commands the blessing there.

For Worse or For Worship?

"Ye come together, not for the better, but for the worse.... For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till He come.... But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread" (1 Corinthians 11:17-28).

Jesus said that we should gather,
Recalling that He bore our curse.
What a travesty, then, rather,
If we gather for the worse!

So let a man himself explore
The state his heart and mind are in,
Confess his faults, and then adore
Our Lord and Christ who bore our sin.

Thus let us gather in His name,
By this sober rule of thumb:
That we come together, not for shame,
But for worship— till He come.

Magnificent Matters

"Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me" (Psalm 131:1).

Many matters are too high
For me to contemplate.
How many stars are in the sky?
Their number is too great!

Yet greater than God's vast creation
Are matters of the soul.
He weighed the cost of our salvation,
And paid the price in full.

Forgiveness for the Fallen

"If Thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with Thee, that Thou mayest be feared" (Psalm 130:3,4). "Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place: for a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again" (Proverbs 16:15,16).

Lay not wait, O wicked one
Against God's fallen child:
There is forgiveness in God's Son;
He shall be reconciled.

For though he fall yet seven times
In sorrow and disgrace,
There is forgiveness for his crimes,
In Christ, his resting place.

Sweet Buy and Buy

"Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding" (Proverbs 23:23). "More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than the honey and the honeycomb" (Psalm 19:11).

Buy the truth and sell it not;
Add wisdom and instruction, too.
Hold on to all that you have bought,
And the understanding given you.

The currency with which one buys
The truth that never should be sold,
Is a heart for God that testifies,
His truth is sweeter than fine gold.

Truth for Training

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it... That thy trust may be in the Lord, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee. Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, that I might make thee to know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?" (Proverbs 22:6, 19-21).

Train up your children the way they should go;
Yet what is the standard for truth?
Where can we find the words that we know
Will guide them aright in their youth?

Eureka! The words that are better than gold
We may find in God's excellent Word!
These counsels of truth will remain when they're old;
They shall never forget what they heard.

Building and Battling

"Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain" (Psalm 127:1). "The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the Lord" (Proverbs 21:31).

Build if you want, but your labor will fail,
Unless God is the One who erects.
Watch if you want, but you cannot prevail,
Unless God is the One who protects.

Willing to Weep

"They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him" (Psalm 126:5,6).

Those who sow the Gospel seed
Must also learn to weep.
Jesus wept to see the need
Of lost and straying sheep.

May we be willing, then, to weep,
With compassion that believes
That those who sow in tears shall reap,
Bringing with joy their sheaves.

Blame for Blood

"When I say to the wicked, Thou shalt surely die, and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand" (Ezekiel 3:18).

How sober the warning that God gives today,
Concerning the lost who will not change their way.
How serious, too, is God's righteous demand
To warn them, requiring their blood at our hand!

Passover Praise

"Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us" (1 Corinthians 5:7).

Christ is our Passover, now sacrificed.
God sees the blood of His Son Jesus Christ.
Praise God for His Lamb, who takes away sin!
The blood is applied, and we are shut in!

Steward Standard

"Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.... For Who maketh thee to differ from another? And what hast thou that thou didst not receive?" (1 Corinthians 4:2,7). "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.... that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to Whom be praise and dominion forever and ever" (1 Peter 4:10,11).

Who is the One who makes us to differ?
One may speak easily, others are stiffer.
One may lead well, another one sings,
One may give counsel on spiritual things.

Stewards of God, since we have believed,
God is the Giver of all we received.
And this is the standard that heaven has raised:
Let each be found faithful, that God may be praised.

Salvation and Sanctification

"By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil" (Proverbs 16:6).

Salvation has come by our Lord Jesus Christ!
His mercy and truth have washed away sin.
His mercy compelled Him to be sacrificed,
His truth promised refuge, and ushered us in.

Sanctification now cleanses our heart!
The fear of the Lord will lead us aright
To follow our Lord and from evil depart,
Turning from darkness to walk in His light.

Omipresent Observation

"The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good" (Proverbs 15:3).

The Lord is beholding the evil and good
In each situation and place.
Nothing to God is misunderstood;
Nothing is hid from His face.

The things that have value in our estimation
May be worthless in God's holy sight.
Let's judge all things, then, by His observation,
And trust Him to show us what's right.

Crucial Credential

"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.... For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.... that, according as it is written, he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 1:18,26,31).

The crucial credential that has always sufficed
Is to glory alone in our Lord Jesus Christ.
It isn't the wise, by this world's estimation,
Nor mighty, nor noble, that run to salvation.

For worldly wisdom counts foolish the cross;
The mighty see weakness; the noble see loss.
Yet those who are saved give God the glory,
And love that old cross and redemption's story!

Deemed as Dim

"How is the gold become dim! How is the most fine gold changed!" (Lamentations 4:1). "Riches profit not in the day of wrath.... The ransom of a man's life are his riches" (Proverbs 11:4,13:8). "What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" (Mark 8:36).

How dim is the gold that we highly esteemed!
How much it has changed in eternity's light!
For temporal riches are not what they seemed;
May God give us vision to see them aright!

For what shall it profit a man rich and full,
If even the world has been given to him,
Who forfeits the ransom God gave for His soul?
How has his gold, in this light, become dim!

Manifest Mystery

"The mystery, which was kept secret since the world began... now is made manifest, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith" (Romans 16:25,26).

The mystery of God's salvation plan,
Which wasn't unveiled since the world began,
Is now manifested in God who became Man,
And thus is made known to all nations.

Marvelous mystery, unveiled in our sight!
The prophets of Scripture were, after all, right!
Called out of darkness, we proclaim in the light:
In Jesus alone is salvation!

Morning Mercies

"It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in Him" (Lamentations 3:22-24). "And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ" (Romans 15:9).

I woke up this morning to find once again,
The mercies of God never come to an end.
His love never fails! His blessings are full!
"The Lord is my Portion and Hope!" says my soul.

My cup overflows. So what shall I do?
I will come in the fullness of blessing to you.
For the Gospel of Christ is filled to the brim
And over the top with new mercies from Him.

Needy Neighbors

"Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not Himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached Thee fell on Me.... Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus" (Romans 15:2,3,5).

That Christ pleased not Himself is plain:
He bore our sorrows, sins, and pain.
And our reproaches on Him fell,
That He might save our souls from hell.

Now may the God of consolation,
Teach us by Christ's demonstration:
Not for Himself, He lived to please,
Nor did He come to take His ease.

No, Jesus came to satisfy
Our deepest need, though He must die.
May we likewise live for others:
Needy neighbors, sisters, brothers.

Accountable Accordingly

"So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God" (Romans 14:12). "According to the grace of God.... every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is" (1 Corinthians 3:10,12).

I'll not give account at God's throne
For one thing pertaining to you.
I'll stand before God quite alone,
For all that I think, say, and do.

Since this is God's measuring rod
In the judgment to come for His own,
I'll live by this standard for God,
And accordingly stand at His throne.

No, not judgment for sin is in view:
Christ suffered for that on His cross.
But His fire will purge what is true,
And consume all that isn't as dross.

Answers and Armor

"The entrance of Thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple" (Psalm 119:131). "The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light" (Romans 13:12). "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever" (Daniel 12:3).

The entrance of God's Word gives light;
To the simple it gives understanding.
It answers our questions aright,
With the evidence faith is demanding.

Far spent is the darkness of night;
The day of our Lord is at hand.
Let's put on the armor of light,
And shine as the stars while we can.

Season for Sacrifice

"It is time for Thee, Lord, to work: for they have made void Thy law" (Psalm 119:126). "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God" (Romans 12:1,2).

It's time, O Lord, this is the season
For You to show Your power.
The world abandons truth and reason,
To mock You every hour.

And I know it's time for me as well
To give myself to You
As a living sacrifice to tell
And prove the Gospel true.

To Hide and To Hold

"Thou art my Hiding Place and my Shield: I hope in Thy Word.... Hold Thou me up, and I shall be safe" (Psalm 119:114,117).

Lord, You are my Hiding Place
In the storm and battlefield.
Hold me up in Your embrace.
I'll be safe; You are my Shield.

Lord, hide and hold me in Your grace;
I'm trusting in Your Word.
There is no safer Hiding Place
Where I may rest assured.

Heritage of my Heart

"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.... Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage forever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart" (Psalm 119:105,111). "For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life" (Proverbs 6:23).

A light upon my path ahead,
A lamp that guides my feet,
A law for life that's Spirit-led:
God's Word is so complete!

His testimonies I've believed
And taken, who can sever?
My heart rejoicing has received
This heritage forever!

Stumbling or Stability?

"The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble" (Proverbs 4:19). "They stumbled at that stumbling Stone; as it is written, Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling Stone and Rock of offense: and whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed" (Romans 9:32,33).

In this present darkness sinners walk
In their unenlightened night.
They stumble over Christ the Rock;
They refuse to see the light.

Yet Christ is our stability,
We trust in Him alone.
He is our Rock, our Surety,
And our Foundation Stone.

Prerogative to Procrastinate

"The wall of Babylon shall fall. My people, go ye out of the midst of her, and deliver ye every man his soul from the fierce anger of the Lord" (Jeremiah 51:44,45). "Save yourselves from this untoward generation" (Acts 2:40). "Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth He yet find fault? For who hath resisted His will? Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay?" (Romans 9:19-21).

God has surely made it known:
To see one lost is not His will.
Yet as long as we are on the throne,
We may resist Him still.

The vessel has no power to say,
"Why was I made thus?"
But we are not a lump of clay;
That's not how God made us.

For we may choose to love or hate;
We may turn away from God.
Yes, we may still procrastinate,
And scorn His judgment rod.

The choice is left to every man
To trust in Jesus' name.
And those spurn His perfect plan,
Have but themselves to blame.

Salvation without Separation

"Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?.... I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:35,38,39).

Who is he that shall condemn
The soul for whom Christ died?
God dismisses all of them,
And we are justified!

And who can cause our separation
Between our Savior's love?
Not death, nor life, nor tribulation,
Nor depth, nor height above.

Sighing for the Simple

"How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity, and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? Turn you at My reproof: behold, I will pour out My Spirit unto you, I will make known My words unto you.... Whoso hearkeneth unto Me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil" (Proverbs 1:22,23).

How long, you simple, will you love
Simplicity and scorn?
God sent His Spirit from above;
Will you not hear Him warn?

Beware, for your simplicity
Shall soon abruptly cease.
Destruction and calamity
Shall sweep away your peace.

Turn today at God's reproof!
Come now, while you may!
Yes, simple ones may stand aloof,
But you may still obey!

Affliction with Affection

"Thou hast dealt well with Thy servant, O Lord, according unto Thy Word.... Before I was afflicted, I went astray: but now have I kept Thy Word.... It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn Thy statutes" (Psalm 119:65,67,71). "God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day" (Genesis 50:20).

In retrospect I clearly see,
O Lord, You have dealt well with me.
You know that I am prone to stray,
But You have led me all the way.

You used affliction with affection,
When I needed Your correction.
Just as a loving Father would,
You meant and brought it for my good.

Yield Yourselves

"Yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God" (Romans 6:13).

Yield yourselves alive unto God;
Submit to His loving correction.
The comfort of His staff and rod
Will conform us to His perfection.

Yield yourselves in identification,
As risen with Jesus, just as He is.
This is the substance of our salvation;
This is the evidence that we are His.

Songs and Sorrow

"Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake Thy law. Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage" (Psalm 119:53,54).

The Gospel gives an even mixture
Inspiring both songs and sorrow;
For this is God's dividing fixture
In eternity's long tomorrow.

Horror thus takes hold of me
For those who won't flee from God's wrath.
Promises of Christ's victory
Are my songs on my pilgrimage path.

Persuaded of His Performance

"He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what had promised, He was able also to perform" (Romans 4:20,21).

The key to faith in God that's stable
Is a confidence equation:
My God has promised plus He's able;
That equals my persuasion.

The Scrutiny of Scripture

"What shall we say then?.... What sayeth the Scripture?" (Romans 4:1,3).

Let our every word and way
Be examined in this light:
What in fact does Scripture say?
God's Word is always right.

The Curse Cannot Come

"The curse causeless shall not come" (Proverbs 26:2). "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:23,24).

Come to where the curse can't come!
Come to where it finds no cause!
Since all have sinned (and not just some),
We dare not wait, nor even pause!

Flee to Jesus Christ who died
To bear our curse and take our place.
In Him alone we're justified,
And saved completely by His grace.

Open Opportunity

"Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law" (Psalm 119:18).

Wondrous opportunity:
God still opens eyes to see!
And truths that fill eternity
Are in God's Holy Word.

The wondrous things within God's Law
Will fill our eyes and ears with awe,
Revealing things we never saw,
And things we never heard.

Rejoicing in the Riches

"I have rejoiced in the way of Thy testimonies, as much as in all riches" (Psalm 119:14).

The riches of God's word are infinite in measure;
His testimonies heard exceed this world's treasure.
Come explore with me His wonders that abound!
Come rejoice and see the wisdom we have found!

Evidence is Everywhere

"The Gospel of God... He had promised afore by His prophets in the holy Scriptures concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was... declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead... For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse" (Romans 1:20).

The evidence that God is real
Is everywhere you look.
Those who seek Him find Him still
In His prophetic Book.

We also find the empty tomb
Has proved Christ's resurrection.
The evidence does not leave room
For natural selection.

Trust on Trial

"The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?.... It is better to trust in the Lord, than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.... The Stone which the builders refused is become the Head Stone of the corner. This the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes" (Psalm 118:6,8,9,22,23).

The Lord is surely on my side. Why then should I fear?
Better in the Lord confide, than trust in prince or peer.
For what has man effected? Is not his failure known?
The Christ whom men rejected is now the Corner Stone!

Principles of Praise

"O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise Him all ye people. For His merciful kindness is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord endureth forever. Praise ye the Lord" (Psalm 117:1,2).

Oh praise the Lord, and rejoice every nation,
For God, rich in mercy, has wrought our salvation!
His truth endures to each generation!
This is our song and our declaration!

Mercy and truth— what sweet meditation!
These are the themes of our adoration!
Our praise is to Jesus, and with jubilation,
We join saints and angels in His exaltation!

Return to your Rest

"Return to thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee. For Thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling" (Psalm 116:7,8).

Return to your rest, O my soul, from the strife,
For God has delivered you, given you life,
Dried all your tears, and steadied your feet.
Return to your rest, and to peace that is sweet.

Contest of Counsels

"And all the remnant... shall know whose words shall stand, Mine, or theirs.... that ye may know that My words shall surely stand" (Jeremiah 44:28,29). "There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless, the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand" (Proverbs 19:21). "I believe God, that is shall be even as it was told me" (Acts 27:25).

I believe God's Word will stand
When all is said and done.
For who can stay His mighty hand?
No one! No, not one!

Still the conflict rages on
As fools are not persuaded.
God's counsel never has been wrong,
Yet scoffers still are jaded.

The contest of God's Word or theirs
Will soon come to an end.
Now I believe what God declares
Is truth we should defend.

Discouraging Discovery

"A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself" (Proverbs 18:2). "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the Lord search the heart" (Jeremiah 17:9,10).

"Know thyself," we have been told,
From ancient oracles of old;
And thus we find the awful truth:
Our hearts are wicked from our youth.

How disappointing to the mind!
Is there nothing left to find?
Are we left with nothing more
Than hearts deceitful, wicked, poor?

Indeed, there is! We turn our eyes
Away from this world's so-called wise,
To see the Lord who now imparts
Salvation to repentant hearts!

Almost vs. Altogether

"They should repent and turn toward God.... King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and ALTOGETHER such as I am" (Acts 26:20,27-29).

It may seem harsh. It may sound tough;
But "almost persuaded" just isn't enough.
Repentance toward God cannot be half way.
Believe altogether! Receive Christ today!

Works and Words

"The preparations in the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord.... Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established" (Proverbs 16:1,3).

Commit your works to God each day
And He will establish your thought.
The Lord can prepare your tongue to say
The answer that others have sought.

Foundational Fear

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do" (Psalm 111:10).

The fear of the Lord is at the foundation
Of all of our wisdom that's prudent and true.
For thereby we trust Jesus Christ for salvation;
A good understanding have all they that do.

When to be Willing

"Thy people shall be willing in the day of Thy power" (Psalm 110:3). "But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me" (Acts 1:8).

The day of the power of Christ has arrived!
This is the day that we should be revived!
The Spirit of God has come to His own,
With power to witness and make Jesus known.

The time to confess Him as Lord is right now!
This is the time that each knee should bow!
The day of salvation is already here;
Use the time wisely, for judgment is near.

Real Riches

"There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches" (Proverbs 13:7).

There is one who will make himself rich,
Yet never discovers true wealth.
And soon he is placed in the ditch,
Abandoning riches and health.

There is one who makes himself poor,
Yet finds himself rich indeed;
For great are the riches in store
When Jesus is meeting our need.

Prelude to Praise

"O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory. Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early. I will praise Thee, O Lord.... For Thy mercy is great above the heavens: and Thy truth reacheth unto the clouds. Be Thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and Thy glory above all the earth" (Psalm 108:1-5).

I'm fixing my heart, O God, to give praise;
I'm waking up early, before the sun's rays.
I'm tuning the strings of my heart and guitar;
I'm thinking of You, Lord, and how great You are.

I'm reading Your Word, to hear You, O Lord.
I'm lifting my prayer; my heart is outpoured.
I'll wait on You, Lord, in this primary phase,
As I soar on the wings of my prelude to praise.

Refrain of the Redeemed

"O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good: for His mercy endureth forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy.... Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the Lord" (Psalm 107:1,2,43).

Refrain:
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so:
Our Lord is good; let the whole world know!
There's only one Savior to whom we can go;
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.

Like sheep we had wandered, going astray;
We cried to the Lord and He led the right way.
Hungry and thirsty we lifted our cries;
Jesus alone our soul satisfies.

Sitting in darkness in the shadow of death;
He gave us light when we called in distress.
We needed healing for the sin-sick soul;
The touch of our Savior has made us whole.

The wind and the storm made our fears increase.
He calmed the waves and He gave us His peace.
Whoso is wise and will observe these things
Shall understand the lovingkindness God brings.

Labor and Lips

"The labor of the righteous tendeth to life... The lips of the righteous feed many" (Proverbs 10:16,21).

The labor of righteousness tends toward life;
The lips of the righteous feed many.
The Word of our Lord is the harvesting knife;
The Gospel, His storehouse of plenty.

Work for the Weak

"I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35).

When we were lost and very weak,
Jesus labored for us on the cross;
And thus He came to earth to seek
And save us from eternal loss.

So Jesus did not only speak;
He worked to save our souls from hell.
He calls us to support the weak,
By what we do and say as well.

Shine vs. Shun

"I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.... For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God" (Acts 20:20,21,27).

Do not be silent, and shun not to tell:
There is an escape from the fires of hell!
Repent toward God and believe on the Lord;
Those who will seek Him, our God will reward.

Hold nothing back; now shine in the dark,
Like Noah when he was preparing the ark.
Testify boldly that Jesus will save;
Declare all the counsel of God that He gave.

Fetter for Forgetters

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits" (Psalm 103:2). "And upon the first day of the week... the disciples came together to break bread" (Acts 20:7). "This do in remembrance of Me" (1 Corinthians 11:24).

Bless the Lord, O my soul;
His benefits, do not forget.
For He redeemed your life in full;
Upon the cross He paid your debt.

And yet our Savior knows we tend
To oft forget His agony.
He broke the bread, and to this end,
Said, "Do this to remember Me."

So let the breaking of the bread
Bind our memory like a fetter
To all our Savior did and said;
Amen! The more the better!

Book Burning

Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men.... So mightily grew the Word of God and prevailed" (Acts 19:18-20). "If they agree not according to this Word, it is because there is no light in them" (Isaiah 8:20).

There are books we ought to keep—
Books of truth that will inspire.
Other books we ought to heap,
To give us kindling for the fire.

Now that may seem a bit too rash.
Burning books appears extreme.
But many books are simply trash
That's authored by a rambler's dream.

So let the Word of God of prevail,
While others take this test:
If they don't agree with God, they fail;
Hold on to all the rest.

Holy House

"I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto Thee, O Lord, will I sing. I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way.... I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes.... A froward heart shall depart from me" (Psalm 101:1-4).

Surely there are holy things
To fill my house and heart.
And though my froward heart still clings,
It shall from me depart.

For I will sing of heaven's claim
That judgment was fulfilled,
When Jesus Christ my Savior came
As God, in mercy, willed.

Thus in my house, before my King,
I would, by grace, be wise.
And I would set no wicked thing
At all before my eyes.

Awesome Assurance

"Know ye that the Lord, He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves" (Psalm 100:3). "Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent: because He hath appointed a day in the which He will judge the world by that Man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead" (Acts 17:29-31).

Awesome assurance! Jesus is risen!
He tore the bars from the grave's dismal prison!
O grave, where's your victory? Death, where's your sting?
What greater assurance could God Himself bring?

And so God commands that all men repent.
-No more excuses; they all have been spent.
Though ignorance postulates "natural selection",
God's awesome assurance is Christ's resurrection!

Searching the Scriptures

"And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea.... These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so" (Acts 17:10,11).

Searching and praying through Scripture each day
Is the nobler, holier, happier way
To ready our hearts and our minds to learn
The critical truths God would have us discern.

In the issues of life, if we daily would know
The will of our Lord, and whether it's so,
Let us be searching the Scriptures to find,
The answers of God that will ready our mind.

Call to Comprehend

"Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures, then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding" (Proverbs 2:2-6). "Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not" (Jeremiah 33:3).

"Call unto Me," our Lord God declares:
He'll show to us great and mighty things.
For God surely answers the earnest prayers
To give understanding that His wisdom brings.

Call upon God while He calls to you,
Searching His wisdom as for hidden treasure.
Seek for His will in all that you do,
And God will be faithful to show you His pleasure.

The Good Favor of Godly Fear

"Ye that love the Lord, hate evil" (Psalm 97:10). "The fear of the Lord is to hate evil" (Proverbs 8:13). "And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear Me forever, for the good of them, and of their children after them" (Jeremiah 32:39).

Give us one heart, one way, and one fear,
To worship You, Lord, and to hold Your Word dear.
For the good of our souls and the children we rear,
Give us a heart to obey.

Grant us this favor before it's too late:
To love what you love, and to hate what you hate.
Time and Your Spirit forbid us to wait!
Teach us Your fear, Lord, today.

Minor for the Maker

"All the gods of the nations are idols: but the Lord made the heavens.... Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His name" (Psalm 96:5,8). "Ah, Lord God! Behold, Thou hast made the heaven and the earth by Thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for Thee... The Great, the Mighty God, the Lord of hosts, is His name, great in counsel, and mighty in work: for Thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give everyone according to his ways.... Then came the word of the Lord unto Jeremiah, saying, Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there anything too hard for Me?" (Jeremiah 32:17,26,27).

Give to the Lord the glory He's due.
He stretched out the heavens; He made the stars too.
The earth hangs upon His invisible cord:
Behold, there is nothing too hard for the Lord!

The nations have idols with eyes that can't see.
The Lord's eyes are open; He sees you and me.
He gives all who trust Him salvation's reward.
Behold, there is nothing too hard for the Lord!

His Works in His World

"Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? Who hath gathered the wind in His fists? Who hath bound the waters in a garment? Who hath established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is His Son's name, if thou canst tell? Every word of God is pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him" (Proverbs 30:4,5). "Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world" (Acts 15:18).

Who has gathered the wind in His fists?
Who has given our universe birth?
Who bound the waters in garments of mists?
Who has established the ends of the earth?

Who has ascended to heaven above?
And who has descended? He's one and the same!
For God sent His Son to redeem us in love.
He rose as He promised! We trust in His name!

Treasures of Truth

"The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.... In the multitude of my thoughts within me Thy comforts delight my soul" (Psalm 94:11,19). "For men shall be.... ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.... But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and been assured of.... from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Jesus Christ. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:2,7,14-16).

The thoughts of man can be so vain,
So blind to truth God makes so plain.
Yes, ever learning, yet not able
To know what's truth and what is fable.

How different is God's gracious Word:
Its treasures hold His truth assured!
They chasten me, yet make me whole;
They comfort and delight my soul.

Weakness of Waves

"The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves. The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea" (Psalm 93:3,4).

The floods have lifted up their voice;
The floods lift up their waves.
Yet in spite of all their noise,
Our Lord on high still saves.

The waves with all their crashing sounds,
That threaten condemnation,
Have no force, where grace abounds,
To weaken our salvation.

The Ground of Grace

"Thus saith the Lord, The people which were left of the sword found grace in the wilderness; even Israel, when I went to cause him to rest. The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee" (Jeremiah 31:2,3).

Grace in the wilderness! Oh what a find!
Here we are given rest and peace of mind!
God's love everlasting is grounds for His grace;
The shadow He's casting is our resting place.

David's Delight

"Because He hath set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him" (Psalm 91:14). "What is man, that Thou art mindful of him?" (Psalm 8:4). "I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, which shall fulfill all My will" (Acts 13:22).

O Lord, what is man, that You mark his delight,
Rejoicing when he sets his love upon You?
Are not angels greater, who stand in Your sight,
Waiting to hear what You want them to do?

And Lord, who was David, that You found in his heart,
A hunger to know You and do what You say?
Lord, look to me also! Create and impart
A heart after Yours that will humbly obey!

The Secret of Seeking

"And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13). "It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out a matter" (Proverbs 25:2).

What is the secret to seeking God's face?
Why does it seem that He's sometimes concealed?
Keep asking, and knocking, and seeking for grace
With all of your heart, and He shall be revealed.

What is the secret to finding God's will?
Why does it seem so illusive to find?
God tends to wait for that moment until
We're searching with all of our heart, soul, and mind.

The Lord won't Lie

"Once have I sworn by My holiness that I will not lie unto David" (Psalm 89:35).

Our God has sworn He will not lie;
What a loving thing to do!
For surely neither you nor I
Should doubt His Word is true!

And yet our God knows just how frail
Our faith at times can be.
And so He swears He will not fail,
And that's enough for me!

What Was I?

"What was I, that I could withstand God?" (Acts 11:17).

What was I to withstand God?
What chance had I to stay His hand?
What way could I escape His rod
Which must fulfill His Law's demand?

What was I to withstand God?
What was He to rescue me?
What was my life but sinful, flawed,
That Christ would die to set me free?

What was I to withstand God?
A fool to think I had control!
God knew the woeful path I trod,
And met me there to save my soul.

Spread the Springs

"And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the Highest Himself shall establish her. The Lord shall count when He writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah. As well as the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee" (Psalm 87:5-7). "They go from strength to strength; every one of them in Zion appeareth before God... For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly" (Psalm 84:7,11).

Spread the news of Zion's springs!
Each citizen of Zion sings:
Praise be to the King of kings
Who gave to us new birth!

Let Zion's singers lift their sound,
And spread the Gospel all around.
Let grace and glory thus abound,
And sing our Savior's worth.

Let Zion's springs be spread abroad!
Let's go from strength to strength with God!
Let all humanity applaud
The Savior of the earth!

Tenderly Tamed

"Teach me Thy way, O Lord; I will walk in Thy truth: unite my heart to fear Thy name. I will praise Thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart" (Psalm 86:11,12).

Unite now my heart, Lord, to fear Your name.
Search me and know me, exposing my shame.
What is dividing my heart? Purge the same!
This heart prone to wander, Lord, tenderly tame.

Unite now my heart, Lord, and teach me Your way.
Teach me to walk in Your truth everyday.
With all of my heart, Lord, I'll praise You and pray,
For a heart that is tenderly tamed to obey.

Don't Diminish

"Thus saith the Lord, Stand in the court of the Lord's house, and speak ... all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word" (Jeremiah 26:2).

The Gospel of God is complete;
We dare not diminish a word.
And why would we want to deplete,
The wonderful message we've heard?

Omit neither heaven nor hell;
Speak about judgment to come.
Preach of God's mercy as well,
By all means, that He may save some.

Visit the Valley

"Blessed are they who dwell in Thy house: they will still be praising Thee ... who, passing through the valley of Baca (lit., tears), make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools" (Psalm 84:4,6).

Pass through the valley of tears
With the good news God gives you to tell,
For a land that has thirsted for years
Will find in the Gospel a well.

Spring up, O well, fill the pools;
Come down, rains of heaven, to bless!
Fill up the hearts where Christ rules
With the comfort of His faithfulness.

Quality Questions

"And he said, Who art Thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus ... And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" (Acts 9:5,6).

Who are You, Lord, and what shall I do?
These are quality questions in view.
The answers from heaven are still clear as day:
Jesus is Lord! Receive Him today!

Going to Gaza

"And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way the goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. And he rose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia... sitting in his chariot, read Isaiah the prophet. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot" (Acts 8:26-29).

Go down to Gaza? Whatever for?
Are not there others who need to hear more?
Yet surely the Spirit of God knows why.
Go down to Gaza— you'll know by and by.

The Preaching that Prevails

"The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath My Word, let him speak My Word faithfully. 'What is the chaff to the wheat?' saith the Lord" (Jeremiah 23:28).

False prophets will dream,
And their falsehood proclaim.
God's Word is supreme,
So preach in His name.

For what is the chaff
When compared to the wheat?
God's power will laugh,
And His purpose complete.