Song of my Sojourning

"This is my comfort in my affliction for Thy word hath quickened me.... I remembered Thy judgments of old, O Lord, and have comforted myself....Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage. I have remembered Thy name, O Lord, in the night, and have kept Thy law" (Psalm 119:50-55).

I have remembered Your name in the night,
O Lord, through the course of this year.
In difficult times You have led me aright;
Your statutes have made the way clear.

I have remembered Your name in the light
Of Your majesty, mercy, and fear.
Your statutes inspire the songs that I write,
Assuring my heart You are near.

In the year that is past, in the year that will be,
In my pilgrimage all the day long,
I will remember Your goodness to me,
And comfort my heart with Your song.

Life and Light

"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.... We have also a more sure word of prophecy, whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a LIGHT that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts" (2 Peter 1:3,19).

God has given us His power
To live a godly life
Through His knowledge every hour
In peace as well as strife.

God has give us His Word
As light in a dark place;
By evidence we are assured
Through prophecy we trace.

So by our life let others see
The power that God gives.
And let the light of prophecy
Declare that Jesus lives.

Telling Time

"For the time past of our life may suffice to have wrought the will of the Gentiles.... But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.... For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God" (1 Peter 4:3,7,17).

The time that is already lost
For which we are ashamed,
Is gone forever and its cost
Can never be reclaimed.

The time has come to now begin
To judge ourselves aright,
Discerning goodness, showing sin,
Exposed by Scripture's light.

The end of all things is a hand;
Be sober, watch, and pray
That we may follow God's command
While it is called today.

Priesthood of Praise

"Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.... Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:5,9).

From the greatest to the least,
Each believer is selected
As a chosen, holy priest
Praising God as we're perfected.

As a chosen generation,
We are royal priests as well,
Showing forth so great salvation
That has saved our souls from hell.

Praise the Lord with all your might
Holy, royal priests today.
Out of darkness into light,
Share the Gospel, lead the way.

Eyes on Eternity

"Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold the wondrous things out of Thy law" (Psalm 119:18) "Riches are not forever" (Proverbs 27:23). "For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word by the Gospel is preached unto you" (1 Peter 1:24,25).

There is a more enduring prize
Than riches that must perish.
God has opened up our eyes
To what we ought to cherish.

These wondrous things within His law
Endure eternally.
I meditate and stand in awe
At what He shows to me.

And yet there's so much more to see
That God would still unveil,
Of things that fill eternity
And never shall grow pale.

For all of flesh like grass will grow,
But withers in the end.
Its flower falls away, we know;
Its glory thus descends.

The Gospel of our Lord, however,
On which we have relied,
Is truth that shall endure forever,
As God has testified.

Truer Treasure

"With my whole heart have I sought Thee.... I have rejoiced in the way of Thy testimonies, as much as in all riches" (Psalm 119:14). "God... hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to and inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, wherein ye greatly rejoice" (1 Peter 1:3-6).

Riches of this world perish;
All their glories pass away.
Be careful, therefore, what you cherish,
Lest your heart be led astray.

Let your heart rejoice instead
In what God's living hope provides.
Jesus Christ rose from the dead
To give us treasure that abides.

Consider our inheritance
Which ever shall endure.
Neither time nor circumstance
Can make it less secure.

This is treasure God reserves
In heaven now for you.
This is value that deserves
A whole heart to pursue.

Satisfied Searchers

"Blessed are they that... seek Him with the whole heart" (Psalm 119:2). "The honor of kings is to search out a matter.... As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country" (Proverbs 25:2,25). "Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem... there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is He that is born King of the Jews?" (Matthew 2:1,2).

The honor of kings is to search matters out.
They hunger to know what is true.
Only a fool is content with his doubt,
When God would bring truth into view.

The wise men of old were guided by God
To seek and adore the new King.
They must have thought it exceedingly odd
That no one had searched out this thing.

Shepherds and wise men, old people, youth,
The rich, and the poor are invited
To search out this matter of wonderful truth,
Or be by indifference indicted.

Follow the wise men who thus quenched their thirst
As cold waters freshen the soul!
How good is the news that the Lord sought us first,
And paid our redemption in full!

Common Sense Confidence

"It is better to trust the Lord than to put confidence in man.... The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.... The Stone which the builders refused is become the Head of the corner" (Psalm 118:8,14).

When I was too weak,
Lord, You made me strong.
When things looked so bleak,
Lord, You gave me Your song.

When all I could see
Was sure condemnation,
Lord, You came to be
My perfect Salvation.

When there was no man
Who for my soul cared,
You worked out Your plan
In foreknowledge prepared.

My soul's Confidence,
My Chief Cornerstone,
It's good common sense
To trust You alone.

Celebrating the Centrality

"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).

The central chapter of God's Book
Is Psalm one hundred seventeen;
The mercy and the truth it took
To ransom sinners here are seen.

Consider the centrality
Of Christ Whom we thus celebrate,
Acknowledged in our history
Each time a person writes the date!

Before Christ came (thus called B.C.)
The world longed and looked toward
That year of promise (called A.D.),
The advent of our saving Lord.

And though this world would erase
The central theme of Jesus Christ,
Our God divided time by grace,
And no eraser has sufficed.

And so it comes as no surprise
The central chapter of God's Word,
Displays before our joyful eyes
The sweetest themes our ears have heard.

Oh Lord of all eternity,
The Center also of our days,
The grace and truth in Christ we see
Shall fill our hearts with endless praise.

Good Gifts

"Return unto 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.... What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits toward me?" (Psalm 116:7,8,12). "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning" (James 1:17).

Every good gift that comes from above,
Is always bestowed with heaven's perfection.
Our Lord is the Giver of these gifts is love
And in them we see our Father's reflection.

What shall I render for all that He gives,
In view of the price that my Savior has paid?
My soul that was dead because of Him lives,
My tears have been dried, my feet are now stayed.

I'll offer to Him my life in return,
A token of worship, thanksgiving, and praise.
For all I might give I know could not earn
The good gifts our heavenly Father displays.

Place of His Pleasure

"Our God is in the heavens: He hath done whatsoever He hath pleased" (Psalm 115:3). "Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen" (Hebrews 13:20,21).

Our God is in heaven above,
But His pleasure is seen in the earth.
His manifestation of love
Was displayed in our Lord's humble birth.

No person could ever compel
Or coax Him to do what He did.
He acted to save us from hell,
With love that refused to be hid.

We are the place of His pleasure!
It pleased Him to die in our stead,
And thereby to purchase the treasure
Of souls that were otherwise dead.

It pleased Him to conquer the grave
As Jesus declared that He would,
Displaying His power to save
And work in His people for good.

So why should our world then say:
"Where is your God?" in this place?
He does what He pleases each day,
In all who respond to His grace.

Tremble and Trust

"Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord" (Psalm 114:7). "Let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire" (Hebrews 12:28,29).

Tremble, O earth; your God has come down.
Surely you knew it, though mankind did not.
Setting aside His magnificent crown,
The Word was made flesh, unveiling God's thought.

Tremble, O earth; your glorious God
Has graced His creation by His humble birth.
Surely to you must have considered it odd
That mankind so blindly discounted His worth.

Tremble, O earth; the God of creation
Who spoke into being all things by His power
Descended to earth to bring His salvation
To many who mock Him to this very hour.

Tremble, O earth; your God will return.
Trust Him, O sinner, whom earth yet obeys.
Turn from the folly of sinners who spurn
The Gospel of God and the grace He conveys.

Tremble, O earth; your God will restore
The peace that you groan for with earnest desire.
Trust Him, His people, and reverence Him more,
For He will yet visit this earth with His fire.

Patient Pace

"Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds" (Hebrews 12:1-3).

Run patiently your homeward race
With Jesus Christ in view.
Be strengthened daily by His grace;
His heart of love pursue.

Consider Him who freely gave
His life to ransom yours,
Who rose in triumph from the grave,
And opened heaven's doors.

Consider Him who thus endured
When trials take their toll.
Rest with confidence assured
That He will guard your soul.

Follow with a patient pace
Your Lord who leads the way.
Until we see Him face to face,
Run patiently each day.

Respect for the Reward

"By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward" (Hebrews 11:24-26).

Faith can make us analyze
And forfeit earthly dreams
To choose instead the greater prize
In what the Lord esteems.

What is precious to the Lord?
That's all we need to know
To have respect for the reward
That God will yet bestow.

So it was in Moses' case
That he would choose eviction,
To rather have God's saving grace
Attended with affliction.

He set aside the sinful pleasure
That lasts for just a season,
Esteeming Christ the greater Treasure,
And not without good reason!

For who or what in all the earth
Compares with Christ our Lord?
There is no treasure with His worth,
No greater a reward.

Holding Fast our Holy Faith

"Let us hold fast the profession our faith without wavering, for He is faithful that promised.... Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.... Through faith also Sarah herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised" (Hebrews 10:23, 11:1,11).

Holding fast our faith's profession
Is not a hopeful guess,
But rather it's a well learned lesson
Of Christ Whom we assess.

The fact regarding Jesus Christ
That gives us confidence
Is that His promises sufficed,
To give us evidence.

We look on promises He made
And see integrity.
His faithfulness is thus displayed
To give us faith to see.

As Sarah judged Him faithful too
Regarding promised seed,
God extends Himself to you
To trust Him for your need.

Judge Him faithful, based on fact,
For Christ has never failed.
Not one promise ever lacked
Fulfillment that prevailed.

Space of Grace

"And now for a little space grace hath been showed from the Lord our God... to give us a nail in His holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving" (Ezra 9:8). "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: so Christ was offered to bear the sins of many, and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation" (Hebrews 9:27,28).

A little space of grace, that's all,
Remains for you and me,
Before our final upward call
Into eternity.

Grace that saves is truly large,
Yet life by time is driven.
We have from God a holy charge
To share what we've been given.

It is appointed once to die
And after this we'll stand
Before the Lord to testify
Regarding His command.

A little space of grace remains
That God may lighten eyes.
The hour glass of sand that drains
Implores us to be wise.

So grant us, Lord, in this short time,
Revival in our days,
That we may live for the sublime:
The privilege of Your praise.

Able Advocate

"I will greatly praise the Lord with my mouth; yea, I will praise Him among the multitude. For He shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those that condemn his soul" (Psalm 109:30,31). "Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25).

I will greatly praise the Lord,
My Advocate forever.
He ever lives to thus afford
My soul an Intercessor.

Standing at my own right hand
He is my sure Defender
That no accuser can withstand,
Nor condemnation render.

I know the verdict for my soul,
And "guilty" is my plea,
But Jesus Christ has paid in full
My judgment's penalty.

My Savior shows His marks of love:
No charges now I face!
He intercedes for me above,
And here I rest my case.

Anchored Assurance

"In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and His children shall have a place of refuge" (Proverbs 14:26). "And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end.... [We] have strong consolation who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast" (Hebrews 6:11,18,19).

What an anchor for the soul!
What a steadfast consolation!
What assurance strong and full
We have found in our salvation!

What confidence along the way!
What hope we have until the end!
What more could our Lord convey
To help us better comprehend?

For Jesus Christ has now prevailed
With mercy, truth, and grace.
His promises have never failed
In every time and place.

So do not let your confidence
Be hindered or diminished,
But feed your faith with diligence
Until your course is finished.

Antidote for Antipathy

"Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!.... Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the Lord" (Psalm 107:31,43).

There is a wondrous antidote
For bitterness of soul:
Observe these things the psalmist wrote,
Considering the whole.

When for our good the Lord afflicts,
He heals and makes us sound.
The wise observer thus predicts
God's love shall then be found.

How wondrous are the works of love
The Lord's redeemed can claim,
Who found redemption from above
By trusting Jesus' name!

Oh, that men would praise the Lord
In view of all He's done!
What healing this would soon afford
Through God's beloved Son!

Help for the Heart

"It is said, Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.... 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 3:15, 4:16).

There's grace to help in time of need:
That time is called TODAY!
Lord, help our hearts today with speed,
Lest we should go astray.

Lord, You know how much inclined
Our hearts may be to harden.
So help our spirit, soul, and mind
With healing, hope, and pardon.

We dare not wait until tomorrow
While help is here today.
Deliver us from folly's sorrow;
Lord, help our hearts, we pray.

Lower to Lift

"He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: until the time that... the king sent and loosed him.... He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance" (Psalm 105:17-21). "But we see Jesus, Who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor, that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man" (Hebrews 2:9).

Joseph was a man God sent,
A lowly servant sold.
But by his trials God had meant
That good would thus unfold.

With fetters then they hurt his feet;
In iron he was laid
Until God's timing was complete,
To lift him by God's aid.

But we see Jesus who was made
A little lower still
Than all the angels that He bade
To do His sovereign will.

They hurt His feet with iron nails
And laid Him in a grave.
His name, now lifted, heaven hails!
No other name can save!

Feeding from His Fullness

"O Lord, how manifold are Thy works! In wisdom Thou hast made them all: the earth is full of Thy riches... These all wait upon Thee; that Thou mayest give them their meat in due season. That Thou givest them they gather: Thou openest Thine hand, they are filled with good" (Psalm 104:24,27,28). "The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom" (Proverbs 10:21).

The lips of the righteous by faith will feed many,
Though famine for truth is at hand.
Still God offers wisdom to all and to any
Who humbly obey His command.

He opens His hand to fill us with good,
And herein we find our supply
To feed our own souls, as surely we should,
As well as feed many thereby.

Remembering our Renewing

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits... thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.... He made known His ways" (Psalm 103:2,5,7). "For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy, He saved us by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior" (Titus 3:3-6).

Do you recall your heart defiled
Before regeneration?
(Unless you were a little child)
You longed for liberation.

For we ourselves were also fools,
Rebellious and deceived,
Living by this world's rules,
Before we had believed.

But then God's kindness and His love
Appeared in Christ our Lord
To show us mercy from above,
Which we had long ignored.

So look on others with compassion
Who still are not renewed,
And may we live in such a fashion,
Christ may thus be viewed.

Prior Promise

"This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the Lord.... Of old Thou has laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of Thy hands. They shall perish, but Thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment, as a vesture shalt Thou change them, and they shall be changed: but Thou art the same, and Thy years shall have no end" (Psalm 102:18,25-27). "I was set up from everlasting from the beginning, or ever the earth was.... Rejoicing in the habitable part of His earth; and My delights were with the sons of men" (Proverbs 8:23,31). "[The] hope of eternal life... God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began" (Titus 1:1,2).

Before You formed the ancient earth
By Your decree sublime,
Or space and matter had their birth
Along with father Time,
You fixed upon us your delight
(Then prior to creation),
And You beheld us in Your sight,
And promised us salvation.

Lord, we cannot comprehend
Your ability to see
From beginning to the end
Through all eternity.
Yet surely we can testify
What You have demonstrated:
You are the God who cannot lie,
And shall not be frustrated.

And thus we find our confidence
By trusting in the name
Of Christ Who is our sure Defense,
Forevermore the same.
And thus in every time and place
His prior promise stands,
That all those who are saved by grace
Are safe in Jesus' hands.

Cherish the Charge

"Thus saith Cyrus, king of Persia, The Lord God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and He hath charged me to build Him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah" (Ezra 1:2). "I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ... preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season.... do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry" (2 Timothy 4:1,2,5).

Cherish the charge God gave you to do,
Preaching the Word in all seasons.
God has a ministry tailored for you,
For all of His merciful reasons.

God charges peasants and God charges kings;
He charges the young and the old.
He's perfectly working together all things,
Including His charge that you hold.

Cherish the charge God gave to fulfill,
Redeeming the time while you may.
Discover the glory of God's perfect will,
Preparing your heart to obey.

Mocking the Messengers

"They mocked the messengers of God, and despised His words, and misused His prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, till there was no remedy" (2 Chronicles 36:16). "Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy" (Proverbs 6:15).

There is a remedy for sin,
A cure for all transgression,
If only sinners will begin
To turn with true confession.

This is why God sent His word
By messengers who came,
Yet they mocked the message heard,
Rewarding them with shame.

Still today the mockers spurn
The Gospel they despise.
The messengers are mocked in turn,
Disdained with lofty eyes.

There is at last no remedy
For those will not hear,
And therefore their calamity
Shall suddenly appear.

We live in days of apathy,
As if there's none Who sees us.
Yet still there is a remedy
For all who trust in Jesus.

Scenarios of Service

"Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. The husbandman (farmer) that laboreth must be first partaker of the fruits... Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:3-6,15).

A soldier surely ought to please
The One who calls him into battle.
An athlete does not take his ease;
A farmer labors with his cattle.

These scenarios are named
That we might understand,
The workman who is unashamed
Will live for God's command.

Senseless Science

"Keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called" (1 Timothy 6:20).

Call it science, if you will,
Though it falsely is portrayed,
Which ignores God's matchless skill,
Evident in all He made.

It's senseless science that denies
The obvious in all we see!
For all creation testifies
Of our Savior's majesty.

So-called science plagues our schools
With its godless education,
Sowing lies and reaping fools
In denial of creation.

How shall we then guard our youth
From this myth of evolution?
All they really need is truth:
What a theme for revolution!

Neglect Not

"Neglect not the gift that is in thee.... Meditate on these things; give thyself wholly to them, that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed to thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee" (1 Timothy 4:14-16).

Every child of God receives
A special gift within,
The moment one in Christ believes
Who takes away our sin.

Thus we are by God employed
To exercise these gifts.
Thus we fill a special void
That edifies and lifts.

Take heed, therefore, to not neglect
This gift that God imparts.
But let it have its full effect
In blessing other hearts.

Manifest Mystery

"If thou seekest her [understanding] 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" (Proverbs 2:4,5). "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory" (1 Timothy 3:16).

If you will search the mystery
That God would have revealed,
These secrets of eternity
Shall no more be concealed.

These truths have not been hidden,
Except from prideful eyes.
The proud have been forbidden
To see what makes one wise.

But God will show the humble
The truth that makes one free,
The very truths that stumble
The proud who will not see.

Now come and see this glorious plan
Revealed in Jesus Christ:
God was manifest as Man,
And for us sacrificed.

By Him all are justified
Who on Him have believed.
It was to this end that He died,
And heaven has received.

We manifest the mystery
Declaring everyday
The Gospel some will choose to see,
And others turn away.

End and Enabling

"Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned.... And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 1:5,14).

Our Savior's commandment has this end in view:
Pure love, a good conscience, and faith that is true.
And with His commandment He gives us His grace,
Enables us always and in every place.

To every purpose an end is in sight.
We're sent into darkness that we may be light.
We're sent into hatred to manifest love,
Equipped with compassion and faith from above.

This is the end and enabling too;
This is what we in good conscience should do.
Stewards of grace, be true to your call.
As debtors of mercy to witness to all.

Thinning my Thoughts

"In the multitude of my thoughts within me Thy comforts delight my soul" (Psalm 94:19). "Now the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work" (2 Thessalonians 2:16,17).

Thoughts bombard me everyday
With a swarm of vain distractions,
Till I hear what God will say
And recall His wondrous actions.

Thus my thoughts are by Him thinned;
Lesser thoughts He rightly sifts.
Though He knows that I have sinned,
Still His love delights and lifts.

Everlasting consolation!
He has wrapped us in His love!
Comforted by His salvation,
I will think on things above.

Whether We Wake

"God hath no appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him" (1 Thessalonians 5:9,10).

Christ Jesus died to save and keep
Our souls by His salvation,
That whether we should wake or sleep
He'd be our close relation.

For though it's better to depart
And thus be with the Lord,
We do not have to wait to start
To live in sweet accord.

For this is why our Savior died,
And why He rose again.
That we may NOW with Him abide,
And ever after then.

Comfort of His Coming

"The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. 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 4:16-18).

Just imagine, if you will,
When our Lord comes with a shout;
Contemplate that wondrous thrill
When we're caught up and called out!

These are things that God has said
He has surely prearranged.
First shall rise the Christian dead,
Then shall we be also changed.

Comfort one another thus
With these words that point toward
The time when God shall rapture us
To be forever with the Lord.

Energy for Eternity

"We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Thessalonians 1:2,3).

The work of our faith, the labor of love,
The patience of hope our Lord gives,
Are drawing their life from our Savior above
And thus testify that He lives.

Remember the source of your heart's energy,
The grace upon which your soul feeds,
Is amply supplied through eternity,
With more than enough for our needs.

Tick Talk

"So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom" (Psalm 90:12). "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man" (Colossians 4:5,6).

So teach us to number our days,
That Christ shall be seen in our walk.
So give us the grace that conveys
The Gospel of Christ in our talk.

It's true that time waits for no man.
Time brings everyday to a halt.
So teach us to reach who we can.
So season our speech, Lord, with salt.

Incomparably Incomprehensible

"Who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD? Who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the Lord?.... O Lord God of hosts, who is a strong Lord like unto Thee? Or to Thy faithfulness round about Thee?" (Psalm 89:6,8).

Is there some comparison among the sons of men
That manifests a likeness to our Lord?
Search the world over in its chronicles and then
Your search will end with no one to record.

Is there some imagined deity or hero one can find
That may be likened to our mighty God?
What a futile effort of the human, finite mind,
Which cannot comprehend a thought so broad!

In power and in righteousness, in wisdom and in love,
Our God transcends comparisons on earth.
The brightness of His majesty excels all else above,
As heaven ceaselessly proclaims His worth!

Treasures and Triumph

"Christ, in Whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.... having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them.... If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God" (Colossians 2:3,15, 3:1).

Riches flow from heaven's treasures
Hid in Jesus Christ.
Why, then, by the world's pleasures,
Are we thus enticed?

Triumph over Satan's power
Comes from Christ our Lord.
Why then do we faint this hour,
When strength may be outpoured?

Treasures in our Lord abound
With triumph for His own.
Lift your eyes to where they're found
In Jesus Christ alone.

Spiritual Springs

"As well as the singers as the players shall be there: all my springs are in Thee" (Psalm 87:7). "God would make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the Hope of glory.... Wherefore I also labor, striving according to His working, which worketh in me mightily" (Colossians 1:27-29).

Christ in me! My spirit sings!
See the mystery unveiling!
In Him I have found my springs
From His Spirit, never failing.

Hope of glory! Christ in you!
God makes known the mystery,
Bringing into public view
Christ at work in you and me.

Thinking on Thanking

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things... and the God of peace shall be with you" (Philippians 4:6-9).

The peace of God attends the mind
That thinks upon thanksgiving
For all things from our God so kind,
Provided for our living.

The God of peace shall not forsake,
Nor ever leave His own.
Think on this, and comfort take,
That God has made this known.

Road of Righteousness

"Righteousness shall go before Him, and shall set us in the way of His steps" (Psalm 85:13). "He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honor" (Proverbs 21:21). "Found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.... forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:9-14).

There is a road of righteousness,
Where God directs our way
Within the path that He will bless,
And there I choose to stay.

This righteousness is not my own,
But rather Christ the Lord's.
It rests on Christ, the Corner Stone;
What peace this truth affords!

Upon this road I thus embark
That leads to heaven's splendor.
I press toward that glorious mark,
In Christ, my soul's Defender.

Forgetting, then, those things behind,
I reach for things before.
These things are hidden from the blind;
These riches fools ignore.

But God has set before my eyes
These treasures in my Lord.
And He is therefore all the prize
My soul shall press toward.

Meekly Minded

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God... made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" (Philippians 2:5-8).

Let this mind be found in you
Which was in Jesus Christ.
Though He reigned as God He knew
He would be sacrificed.

What love is this that could compel
Our Lord to leave His throne,
To rescue sinners bound for hell,
And claim them as His own?

It is the love He calls us by,
And also calls us to.
Remember why He came to die:
Let this mind be in you.

Fallen to the Furtherance

"But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the Gospel" (Philippians 1:12).

How good it is to understand
That God makes no mistakes.
The things which God in love has planned
Have worked out for our sakes.

In every single circumstance,
In joy, or peace, or strife,
The Gospel and its furtherance
Is worked out in our life.

Be aware, then, of this fact,
In each event and place,
That God in mercy longs to act
To further thus His grace.

Dominions of Darkness

"They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness" (Psalm 82:5). "The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it and is safe" (Proverbs 18:10). "We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Ephesians 6:12).

Walking in darkness of this fallen world,
Blindly directed by deadly dominions,
The hopelessly lost are helplessly hurled
Into the pit of deceptive opinions.

They walk in the darkness of sin's dreadful night,
Driven by forces which render them blind;
Further and further they turn from the light,
Searing their conscience and closing their mind.

Thus we're reminded the battle we fight
Is never against flesh and blood in our day.
The battle arrayed between darkness and light
Can only be won as we trust and obey.

Counter Counsel

"But My people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of Me. So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust, and they walked in their own counsels.... I should soon have subdued their enemies and turned My hand against their enemies" (Psalm 81:11,12,14). [He] worketh all things after the counsel of His own will" (Ephesians 1:11).

What contrast we can see
In these counsels that compete:
In God's counsel: victory,
In man's counsel is defeat!

Let the counsel of God's will
Counter every other thought.
Hear Him, now, my soul, be still:
He is Lord, and you are not!

Mortally Mistaken

"Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts, cause Thy face to shine, and we shall be saved" (Psalm 80:19). "Wherefore He saith, Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light" (Ephesians 5:14).

Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts;
Draw us by Your shining face.
You are the One in Whom our soul boasts;
We bask in Your marvelous grace.

Shine on us Lord, as we are awakened,
To rise from the shadows of sin,
Lest we who are sleeping be sadly mistaken
For those having no life within.

Walking Worthy

"Walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called" (Ephesians 4:1).

God has given all His own
Grace to walk in their vocation.
Thus we're called to make Him known
And to share His great salvation.

Thus among God's family
We are called to edify.
Thus towards humanity,
We are called to testify.

Let us therefore walk today
According to God's gracious call,
Walking worthy that we may
Thus manifest His grace to all.

Granted Grace

"Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ" (Ephesians 3:8).

There is a reason for the measure
Of the grace God grants to me:
It is that I may preach the treasure
Found in Christ eternally.

Grace that's granted should be used
For the cause it was imparted.
How much grace have I refused
While distracted or halfhearted?

Grant me, Lord, a heart that's steady,
That I may extend my reach
To the ones you have made ready,
Through the grace you give to preach.

Talk of the Times

"I am so troubled that I cannot speak. I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.... I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember Thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all Thy work, and talk of Thy doings" (Psalm 77:4,5,11,12). "By grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast..... But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For He is our Peace" (Ephesians 2:8,9,13,14).

There were times I could not speak
When trouble took its toll.
My heart was faint, my mind was weak,
Frustration filled my soul.

I found no comfort in my heart;
But just more cause for tears.
Until the day I came apart
To ponder ancient years.

Then it was that I unveiled
A wondrous medication:
I remembered God prevailed
And paused for meditation.

There I found a point of view,
As from a mountain peak,
That gave me a perspective new
And loosed my tongue to speak.

Then it was the tables turned,
For now I could not cease
To speak of grace I had not earned
From Christ, who is our Peace.

Ought to Owe

"Vow, and pay unto the Lord your God: let all that be round about Him bring presents unto Him that ought to be feared" (Psalm 76:11). "The thoughts of the righteous are right" (Proverbs 12:5).

We owe to the Lord our love,
We owe to the Lord our soul,
For grace that He brought from above,
For redemption He paid in full.

We owe to the Lord our fear
For the truth that He ponders our way.
Let all who by grace are brought near
Pay their vows that they ought to pay.

Rage and Reason

"Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him... thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the Lord thy God... The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him. Herein thou hast done foolishly... Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house, for he was in a rage with him because of this thing" (2 Chronicles 16:7-10).

King Asa lived for many years
A life to give God glory,
Till rage and reason wrought his tears
And wrote a different story.

Foolish reason, fleshly rage,
And many other sins
Find their entrance on the page
Where arrogance begins.

Some things that I think know,
May after all be wrong.
This my weakness God would show,
And show Himself as strong.

So what have I do with rage,
This uncontrolled emotion?
Oh that it were in a cage,
And tossed into the ocean!

Rid me, Lord, of foolish reason
And rage before they start.
By Your Spirit, in each season,
Rule, Lord, in my heart.

Fountain Found

"The Lord is with you, while ye be with Him; and if ye seek Him, He will be found of you; but if ye forsake Him, He will forsake you.... Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded " (2 Chronicles 15:2).

Seek now the Lord and He will be found.
Forsake Him He will be hidden.
Let your heart seek Him that strength may abound,
And straying from Him be forbidden.

Surely in one sense the Lord does not leave;
Yes, even if we disobey.
But strength that God offers we cannot receive,
Whenever our hearts go astray.

Let not your hands, therefore, become weak.
Your diligence God will reward.
His fountain of strength will be found when you seek
And turn with your heart to the Lord.

Enlightened on the End

"I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.... Thou shalt guide me with Thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.... Lo, they that are far from Thee shall perish.... But it is good for me to draw near to God" (Psalm 73:17,24,27).

I could not be comforted nor comprehend,
Until I went in to the Lord's sanctuary:
Then understood I the soul's latter end,
And there I released the burden I carried.

O what a difference perspective can make!
I was so foolish, but God loved me still.
O what a promise! He will not forsake
The soul that surrenders to His perfect will.

Those who are far from Him surely shall perish,
But those who draw near He'll receive into glory.
Thus I'm enlightened to hold and to cherish,
The Author and End of the greatest love story.

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).

The power of living in Christ
I found in the truth of His love.
For me was my Lord sacrificed;
For me He came down from above.

I ponder how much Jesus gave,
By laying His life down for me,
And that He would go to the grave
To rescue and set my soul free.

Thus I am taught to surrender,
To love that was thoroughly tried.
For He is my Lord and Defender,
And I am with Christ crucified.

Prudent Preparation

"And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord" (2 Chronicles 12:14).

Before the new day has begun
Before all the pressure will start,
Before the fresh dawn of the sun,
Give place to preparing your heart.

If not in the morning, then when?
The demands of the day do not cease.
Meet God in the morning and then
You will carry His promise of peace.

Each morning we ought to prepare,
By fixing our hearts on God's Word,
Then seeking God early in prayer,
Applying the wisdom we've heard.

Escaping Evil

"Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father" (Galatians 1:3,4).

Grace be to you with the wonderful peace
That was wrought by our Jesus Lord Jesus Christ.
From this evil world our escape and release,
Was bought by His self sacrifice.

We were trapped in a world without hope or grace
Consigned to this evil condition.
We were headed for wrath with the whole human race
Destined for endless perdition.

But God in His love had a redemption plan—
Though costly, He paid it in full—
By sending His Son in the form of a Man
To rescue and ransom our soul!

Triumphant Trinity

"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen" (2 Corinthians 13:14).

Majestic and merciful union:
Christ Jesus, the Father, and Spirit,
By Your grace, by Your love, and communion,
You speak peace to all will hear it.

Triumphant Trinity, reigning above,
We're joining the chorus of Your blood-bought host
To thank You for grace, to praise You for love,
To heed the communion of Your Holy Ghost.

For the grace that is Jesus our Lord's,
For the love of our God on the throne,
For communion Your Spirit affords,
Receive now the praise of Your own!

Infinite Issues

"He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto God the Lord belong the issues from death" (Psalm 68:20). "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.... Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil" (Proverbs 4:23,27).

Our God is the God of creation;
From Him we have life and have breath.
Our God is the God of salvation
From Him are the issues from death.

The issues from death and its prison
Are Christ's who is holding the key.
The Savior of sinners is risen,
With truth that will set the soul free.

How easily we may depart,
Distracted by everyday strife
From earnestly keeping our heart
From which are the issues of life.

The issues of life involve choice
To walk on the path of God's light.
So let us pay heed to His voice;
Turn not to the left or the right.

Hidden Half

"And when the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon.... she said to the king.... behold, the one half of the greatness of thy wisdom was not told me: for thou exceedest the fame that I heard" (2 Chronicles 9:3-6).

One day we surely shall behold
The rest of heaven's story
To find the half had not been told
Of Jesus and His glory.

For now our vision is so dim
We cannot comprehend
The matchless glories found in Him
Who is our dearest Friend.

For surely Christ exceeds the fame
Of every mortal word.
We scratch the surface of His name;
There's so much more unheard!

Yet till we cross the sea of time
And come to heaven's shore,
There's still so much of the sublime
In Christ we may explore!

Proper Praise

"Sing forth the honor of His name: make His praise glorious" (Psalm 66:2).

Praise has lost its beauty,
Unworthy of our King,
If it is merely duty,
A boring, tedious thing.

Make His praise then glorious,
Who ought to be adored!
Praise that is laborious
Is odious to the Lord.

Sing the honor of His name!
Declare His reputation:
How our Lord and Savior came
To purchase our salvation.

Meditate upon His love
And all our Savior did,
Then lift your heart to God above
Till praise cannot be hid.

How glorious is proper praise
That manifests the worth
Of Christ in all His perfect ways
In heaven and on earth.

Understating the Unspeakable

"Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable Gift" (2 Corinthians 9:15).

How can we communicate
The splendor of God's Gift,
With human words that understate
The praise we seek to lift?

Wonderful! Exceeding great!
And still these words fall short.
Our words must underestimate
What heaven would report.

But while our words cannot convey
The praise our Lord deserves,
The one who chooses to obey
Will praise Him as he serves.

Homeland Hope

"If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14).

The very best security
A homeland can enjoy
Is not by the artillery
Her forces may employ.

It's not in brilliant speeches
The orator conveys,
But what the Scripture teaches
About the land that prays.

The city's watchmen wake in vain
Unless God does the keeping.
If God does not their cause sustain,
They might as well be sleeping.

If My people by My name,
Will therefore humbly pray,
And seek my face, and turn from shame
And every wicked way,

Then I'll surely hear their prayer,
And I'll forgive their sin,
And I will heal them then and there,
And all their land within.

Love and Life

"O God, Thou art my God; early will I seek Thee: my soul thirsteth for Thee, my flesh longeth for Thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is.... because Thy lovingkindness is better than life.... My soul shall be satisfied" (Psalm 63:1,3,5).

What an apt description of a place so sorely cursed:
A dry and thirsty land without a well!
I see what life can offer, and there's nothing for my thirst,
Not in all the land wherein we dwell!

What a blest prescription we find, Lord in Your love,
Your lovingkindness satisfies my soul!
Your love is like a river that flows down from above,
To quench our longing spirits to the full!

Boasting in the Balance

"Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity" (Psalm 62:9). "The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe. Many seek the ruler's favor, but every man's judgment cometh from the Lord" (Proverbs 29:25,26).

Those who boast that they are great
Are boasting of a lie,
As balances that check their weight
Will surely testify.

Why then should we ever fear
The weight of man's displeasure?
The humble and obedient ear
Is what our Lord will treasure.

Many seek the ruler's favor,
But judgment comes from God.
The balance true is from our Savior
All others, then, are flawed.

Viewing my Vows

"Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.... that I may daily perform my vows" (Psalm 61:1,8). "They that seek the Lord understand all things" (Proverbs 28:5). "Wherefore we labor that... we may be accepted of Him.... For the love of Christ constraineth us, because we thus judge... that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again" (2 Corinthians 5:9-15).

Lead me to the rock, Lord, that is higher than I am,
That I may from Your vantage point thus see,
That I may know Your purpose, and glorify the Lamb,
And thus perform Your perfect will for me.

There's such a wide variety of things that I would do,
But I would know exactly what is right.
That daily I may consecrate myself, O Lord, to You
And thus perform what's pleasing in Your sight.

I would know Your purpose for me that You ordain:
The what, the where, the why, the when, and how.
So I will seek Your face, O Lord, that You may make it plain,
That I may daily thus perform each vow.

Always keep before us, Lord, this viewpoint from above;
The reason that we labor now is thus:
We're not constrained by duty, but rather by Your love,
To live for Him who gave Himself for us.

Vanity vs. Victory

"O God, Thou hast cast us off, Thou hast scattered us, Thou hast been displeased; O turn Thyself to us again....Who will bring me into the strong city?.... Wilt not Thou, O God, which hadst cast us off? And Thou, O God, which didst not go out with our armies? Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man. Through God we shall do valiantly: for He it is that shall tread down our enemies" (Psalm 60:1, 9-12).

Lord, we know Your promise well
That we'll not be forsaken.
Yet as we on this promise dwell,
We should not be mistaken.

Your promise not to leave Your own
Does not mean You'll stand by
And thereby tacitly condone
The sin that we deny.

At times we sense by Your removal,
We surely need correction.
We rush ahead without approval,
And thus without protection.

Oh turn Yourself to us again,
Restore us, Lord, anew.
For vain is help from mortal men;
Our triumph comes from You.

Glory in the Glass

"And he [Moses] made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the lookingglasses" (Exodus 38:8). "Moreover he [Solomon] made an altar of brass... Also he made a molten sea... He made also ten lavers... to wash in them... of bright brass.... Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundance: for the weight of the brass could not be found out" (2 Chronicles 4:1-18). "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord" (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Behold the glory of the Lord
As in a looking glass,
As those who used to look toward
Their image in the brass.

For then the altar and the laver
With vessels of the court
Were thus reflections of our Savior
In brass, the brightest sort.

And now we see the greater glory,
Not in our reflection,
But in the sacrificial story
Of Christ and His perfection.

For judgment's brass had weight as such
Which could not be declared.
Now does this not convey how much
The Lord for sinners cared?

So change us, Lord, as we behold,
Your beauty in the brass.
Reflect in us Your love untold,
Your glory in the glass.

Sufficiency and Sincerity

"Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ.... And who is sufficient for these things?... But as of sincerity, but as of God, in sight of God, speak we in Christ" (2 Corinthians 2:14-17).

God is sufficient to make us to stand
And cause us to triumph in Christ everyday.
God is sufficient by His mighty hand
To lead us in righteousness all of the way.

God is sufficient to give us a voice
Among those with whom we now presently dwell.
The Gospel we share will afford them a choice
Of where they will spend either heaven or hell.

God is sufficient, but are we sincere?
Are we just going through motions expected?
In sight of our God, in His holy fear,
Let us be guided and thereby perfected.

Calm in Calamity

"My soul trusteth in Thee: yea, in the shadow of Thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast" (Psalm 57:1).

There is a shelter from the blast,
A calm amid calamity:
Until these troubling times are past,
I'll trust You, Lord, to care for me.

In the shadow of Your wings,
Like a fledgling in the nest,
Trusting You, Lord, always brings
Perfect peace and sweetest rest.

Soon these trials shall be past,
Soon we'll stand before Your face
Face to face with You at last,
The Lord who saved us by His grace!

Trials come and trials go;
Calamities may stay awhile,
Yet this is all I need to know:
That You are Lord of every trial.

Competent to Comfort

"The God of all comfort... comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort which we ourselves are comforted of God.... knowing that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation" (2 Corinthians 1:3-4,7).

In all our tribulation
Our God has wisely planned
To grant His consolation
That we may thereby stand.

And thus by this experience
Through which our Lord will lead,
We thereby gain the competence
To comfort those in need.

Maranatha Motivation

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

If any man love not the Lord,
Then he shall not have rest.
The curse is all he moves toward,
And he shall not be blest.

Anathema! How sad that some
Shall find themselves accursed!
Maranatha! Christ will come
And rapture His own first!

And then shall come the tribulation,
God's curse upon mankind.
Wouldn't you prefer salvation
And blessing therein find?

Riches Returned

"Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is Thine; Thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and Thou art exalted above all. Both riches and honor come of Thee, and Thou reignest over all; and in Thine hand is power and might, and in Thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength to all... But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? For all things come of Thee, and of Thine own have we given Thee" (1 Chronicles 29:11-14).

Lord, I think I understand,
Though I have slowly learned:
The things we give are from Your hand,
And merely are returned.

But who are we, Lord, in Your view
That You should thus bestow,
The thrill of giving back to You
What we already owe?

For everything is Yours, O Lord,
In heaven and in earth,
And riches of Your grace afford
The measure of our worth.

For far above all earthly measure
By human estimation,
Our highest worth and greatest treasure
Are found in our salvation.

Which Way?

"God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy, there is none that doeth good, no, not one" (Psalm 53:2,3). "Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness.... Man's goings are of the Lord; how can a man then understand his own way?" (Proverbs 20:6,24).

God has looked down on the children of men
To see if there happened to be any good.
His findings were clear, for none sought Him then,
Each one has gone back; not one understood.

Yet most men proclaim their goodness today,
In spite of the statement God made from His throne.
How then can man understand his own way,
With God's view so different than that of his own?

The problem is easy; the question absurd:
Man should submit to the viewpoint of God!
We understand when we trust in His Word.
With so clear an answer, confusion seems odd!

Awesome Audience

"Now therefore in the sight of all... the congregation of the Lord, and in the audience of our God, keep and seek for all the commandments of the Lord your God.... for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek Him, He will be found of thee" (1 Chronicles 28:8,9).

Every distant thought is known
To God who searches hearts.
He understands it from His throne
Before it even starts.

What an awesome audience
Amidst His congregation!
He knows each thought our mind invents
With each imagination!

Let us seek to understand
His awesome audience,
Seeking, keeping His command,
And finding His Defense.

Inward Integrity

"Behold, Thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part Thou shalt make me to know wisdom.... Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me" (Psalm 51:6,10). "A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself" (Proverbs 18:2).

Lord, I gladly shed my mask
As I draw near to You.
A clean heart, Lord, is all I ask,
That inwardly is true.

It's not enough to understand
My wretchedness within.
I need Your healing, saving hand,
To wash me from my sin.

There's nothing good that I can see
Within my sinful heart
Apart from grace that cleanses me
Throughout my inward part.

Lord, You have shown the truth to me
And I am glad you did.
I'd rather have integrity,
Than inwardly be hid.

Create in me a clean heart, Lord;
My inward part, renew.
There's no one else to turn toward,
My gracious God, but You.

Clarity by Charity

"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.... And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity" (1 Corinthians 13:1,13).

Faith and hope need charity
To show that they are true.
Love will give them clarity
And let their light shine through.

Be careful not to minimize
The necessary role
Of faith and hope, lest you despise
The anchor of your soul.

Remember that through faith we're saved,
For faith lays hold on grace.
Our path ahead with hope is paved
To heaven's dwelling place.

Faith and hope are no less true
If we should fail in love,
But lack of love obscures from view
The grace of God above.

Better Business

"Men of valor... were officers... in all the business of the Lord, and in the service of the king.... for every matter pertaining to God, and the affairs of the king" (1 Chronicles 26:30,32). "They that trust in their wealth.... none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: for the redemption of their soul is precious" (Psalm 49:6-8). "Better us a little with righteousness than great revenues without right" (Proverbs 16:8).

In all the business of the Lord,
And in the service of the king,
Men of valor can't afford
To be ensnared by lesser things.

Yes, our busy world seems
To hold the most important cares;
But God alone the soul redeems,
So let this govern our affairs.

Better is God's righteousness,
Than all this world's revenue.
There's no better way to bless
Than letting Jesus shine through you.

Beauty and the Betrayer

"For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which He was betrayed took bread: and when He had given thanks, He brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is My body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of Me" (1 Corinthians 11:23,24).

Twelve were seated at the side
Of our Savior Jesus Christ.
All would flee, and one denied;
One betrayed Him at a price.

There our Lord was with delight,
In that fickle company.
He gave thanks on that same night
That He gave Himself for me.

Yes, amid these turncoat friends,
He gave thanks to God above.
Wondrous love that never ends:
None could quench His saving love!

On the night He was betrayed
On the night He broke the bread,
Undeterred by sheep that strayed,
Jesus suffered in our stead.

Administering Admonition

"Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come... But God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able" (1 Corinthians 10:10-13).

Things that happened which are written
When God's people wandered,
As when they by God were smitten,
Surely should be pondered.

For these are written to admonish,
Providing us instruction,
That we may not be astonished
With their same destruction.

Though from judgment we're exempted,
Our sin has consequence.
But God is faithful when we're tempted,
And He is our Defense.

Refuge in the Rage

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.... The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: He uttered His voice, the earth melted.... Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our Refuge. Selah" (Psalm 46:1,6,10,11).

Refuge sweet amidst the rage,
Lord and Savior of our life,
Thank You that from age to age,
You are present in the strife.

Sometimes we forget that fact.
Sometimes we are prone to worry.
Sometimes we may wish You'd act
In our narrow-visioned hurry.

Then we hear You say, "Be still,"
For You are God, though some resist;
Though the heathen rage, You will
Be exalted in their midst.

Arise and Arouse

"Arise, therefore, and be doing, and the Lord be with thee.... Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the Lord God" (1 Chronicles 22:16,19).

Now set your heart and soul today
To seek the Lord above.
Arise, therefore, and come away
To serve your Lord with love.

Arouse your spirit from its sleep;
Arise, therefore! Awake!
God will strengthen those who keep
A vigil for His sake.

We wake, we watch, we work as well,
As laborers with Christ.
We've pressed against the gates of hell,
Where grace has thus sufficed.

Until we hear Your upward shout
To call us home forever,
Stir our hearts, Lord, purge our doubt,
And strengthen our endeavor.

Precious Price

"Ye are bought with a price; be ye not the servants of men" (1 Corinthians 7:23).

You who are bought by the Lord Jesus Christ:
How great was the price that He paid for you then!
In view of the ransom at which you were priced,
Do not return to be servants of men!

What wonderful freedom our Savior has bought!
What purpose and joy He has thereby instilled!
We're servants of God (what a marvelous thought!),
Delighting to do what our Savior has willed.

Give to the Lord the glory He's due.
Serve Him recalling the price that He paid.
How precious that price was for me and for you!
How great was the love on His cross He displayed!

Going to God

"Why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?.... Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise Thee, O God my God" (Psalm 43:2,4).

Why do I act as if God is sleeping,
As if God has not been aware of my strife?
Why do I meet my oppression weeping,
Instead of committing to Him my whole life?

Surely I know the right thing to do:
I'll go to my God, my ultimate Joy.
He is the One that my heart will pursue.
He is the Theme of the song I'll employ.

Ministers of the Mysteries

"We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory.... Let a man so account of us, as the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God" (1 Corinthians 2:7, 4:1).

The Gospel is a mystery,
And yet it's on display
Across the face of history
As plain and clear as day.

How can the world be so blind?
How can they miss God's grace?
How can they call what God designed
Mere randomness in space?

Our Savior came to intervene
As Scripture said He would.
Has not the world clearly seen?
Has not it understood?

The cross was real, as was the tomb;
Christ died and rose again.
It seems that there should be no room
For honest doubters then.

Oh mystery of mysteries,
That blindness is sustained,
In spite of proof this world sees
That God Himself ordained!

Favored Forever

"By this I know that Thou favorest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me. And as for me, Thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before Thy face forever. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting. Amen, and Amen" (Psalm 41:11-13). "From everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.... My delights were with the sons of men" (Proverbs 8:23,31).

Eternally present, O Lord, You have been;
Before there was time You delighted in me.
From everlasting You favored me then,
And You will uphold me through eternity.

I'm favored forever! How can it be true?
It's not because I am deserving of grace,
But rather because it was pleasing to You
To wash me from sin and to die in my place.

From everlasting, before Your creation,
Lord, I was the object of Your loving favor.
To everlasting, exploring salvation,
I'll thank You and praise You, my God and my Savior!

Surprising Selection

"And David the king came and sat before the Lord, and said, Whom am I, O Lord God, and what is mine house, that Thou hast brought me hitherto?" (1 Chronicles 17:16). "For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called... that no flesh should glory in His presence" (1 Corinthians 1:26,29).

Now who would have thought
That our God would choose
So lowly a lot
To commission and use!

Surprising selection,
That God would choose those
So far from perfection,
As each of them knows!

For not many wise,
Or mighty we see,
And not many rise
From nobility.

But God has selected
The ones least esteemed
Whom He has detected
Will do as He's deemed.

May God thus receive
All the glory He's due
From those who believe,
Like me and like you.

Counsel that Conquers

"My son, keep thy father's commandment.... When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee" (Proverbs 6:20,22). "I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen" (Romans 16:19,20).

What marvelous counsel I have in God's Word
That leads me, that keeps me, and talks to my soul!
Thus I am spared from the lies I have heard
That lead hearts astray (Satan's tireless goal).

The voice of division, the voice of seduction,
The voice deception that Satan inspires,
All have this purpose: the death and destruction
Of souls that are conquered by evil desires.

Let us be wise in that which is good;
Let us be simple in evil explored,
Obeying commandments that we've understood,
Enabled by grace that proceeds from our Lord.

Counsel that conquers is ours for the taking,
For Satan is bruised by obedient feet.
Whether we're walking, we're working, or waking,
The counsel of God is protective and sweet.

The Need Now

"NOW the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus.... NOW the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.... NOW the God of peace be with you all. Amen" (Romans 15:5,13,33).

Now may the God of patience above
And of eternal life's consolation,
Grant us to be likeminded in love,
Striving together for edification.

Now may the God of hope that's alive
Fill us with joy and hope in believing.
That He, by His Spirit, may thereby revive
Our hearts as we pray for revival and healing.

Now may the God of heavenly peace
Be with us all till our journey shall end.
Thus may we shine and His glory increase
Until He returns. Even so, Lord! Amen!

Examine the Ends

"I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. Yet he passed away, and lo, he was not. Yea, I sought him, but he could not be found. Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace" (Psalm 37:35-37). "The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble" (Proverbs 4:18,19).

Across the ages we can see
The wicked come to power.
They spread out like a green bay tree;
They sweep down like a shower.

And yet they did not come to stay;
We looked and they were gone.
By God's decree they passed away,
As night gives way to dawn.

Across the ages we can see
God's servants give their lives.
The blessing of their memory
By God's decree survives.

Mark these paths, then, very well.
Examining their ends:
The wicked shall be turned to hell;
The upright God commends.

Trust as you Tread

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes.... Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble... He giveth grace to the lowly" (Proverbs 3:5,6,23,34).

How can you walk in a way that is wise?
Trust in the Lord with all of your heart.
Lean not toward what is right in your eyes;
Wait for the wisdom that God will impart.

In all of your ways, then, acknowledge the Lord.
God will ensure that your foot will not stumble.
His marvelous grace shall be your reward,
For God gives it freely to all who are humble.

Whatever You Will

"Say unto my soul, I am thy salvation" (Psalm 35:3). "My son, if thou wilt receive my words.... so that thou incline thine ear to wisdom.... If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures, then shall thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God" (Proverbs 2:1-5).

Say to my soul, Lord, I am thy salvation.
Say what You will, for I'm ready to hear.
Direct by Your Spirit the whole conversation;
You have the treasures of knowledge and fear.

Say to my soul, Lord, what You know I need.
Search me and know me, as no one else can.
Surely I'd stray, Lord, if You did not lead;
Teach me to walk in the way of Your plan.

Lord, I delight in the privilege of prayer,
But frankly, I tire of hearing my voice.
I'd rather be hearing the truth that You share.
This is my sweet meditation of choice.

Members who Magnify

"O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together" (Psalm 34:3). "For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another" (Romans 12:4,5).

Oh magnify the Lord with me;
Together let us praise His name!
Though we're different as can be,
Yet our purpose is the same.

We are members of each other,
Though we each have different roles.
Let's encourage one another:
Praise the Lord who saved our souls!

Here we find our common ground,
With our hearts in accord.
Those who know the joyful sound:
Magnify with me the Lord!

Marvelous Mind

"Let all the earth fear the Lord.... for He spake, and it was done. He commanded, and it stood fast.... The counsel of the Lord standeth forever, the thoughts of His heart to all generations" (Psalm 33:11). "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" (Proverbs 30:4,5). "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord?" (Romans 11:33,34).

Who has known God's awesome mind?
Who can say what has thought?
Who to heaven's throne has climbed?
To declare what God has wrought?

Who created everything
By the word He spoke with power?
Stars that shine and birds that sing
Show His glory every hour.

Who descended down to earth
From His majesty above?
Who defined what we are worth
By His mercy, truth, and love?

Praise the Lord, for He made known
What we never could find out!
All the evidence He's shown,
Thus has left no room for doubt.

Jesus Christ, the great I AM,
Thus created all that is.
Jesus Christ, God's spotless Lamb,
Ransomed us to call us His.

Every word of God is pure,
Every single precious thought.
Forever shall His words endure,
Though all else shall come to naught.

Studies in Stubbornness

"I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with Mine eye. Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee" (Psalm 32:8,9).

There is a twofold stubbornness
That God would have us know
Will hinder His delight to bless
When we're too fast or slow.

First God shows to us the horse
Controlled by bit and reigns
That races forward on its course,
And slowing down disdains.

Next we see the classic mule
Content to take it slow.
He often stops, and as a rule,
It's hard to make him go.

Thus we have these stubborn two,
The horse and mule, portrayed.
In these are similes so true
When we have not obeyed.

Simply Seeking

"Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the Lord understand all things" (Proverbs 28:5).

Those who will not seek the Lord
And salvation from His hand,
Still each day must press toward
Judgment they don't understand.

They may argue all day long
Why they think they're justified.
God defines what's right and wrong,
What is true, and who has lied.

There is a simple resolution:
Seek the Lord while still you may.
He will free you from confusion;
He will lead you in His way.

Force of His Favor

"In His favor is life.... And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved. Lord by Thy favor Thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: Thou didst hide Thy face, and I was troubled" (Psalm 30:5-7). "So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy" (Romans 9:16).

There is a danger I may face
In my prosperity:
The tendency to discount grace;
God's favor shown to me.

If I should say within my heart
That I shall not be moved,
What foolishness is on my part,
That must be yet reproved!

The favor of God's gracious gift,
Comes not by force of will,
Nor by the running of the swift,
Whose race the crowds may thrill.

But God is looking to the meek,
And He will be their Savior.
They shall not be moved who seek
And trust Him for His favor.

Majestic Majority

"If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:31,32).

Who can be against the one
Whom God Himself is for?
How could God who gave His Son
Assure us any more?

Who can separate the Lord
From His own congregation?
Shall persecution or the sword,
Succeed by tribulation?

Who can separate us from
God's never ending love?
Nothing now, nor yet to come,
Below or from above!

What assurance we possess
From God's majestic throne!
None can curse whom God will bless,
Nor take from God His own!

Costly Carnality

"Because they regard not the works of the Lord, nor the operation of His hands, He shall destroy them, and not build them up" (Psalm 28:1,5). "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be" (Romans 8:6,7).

There is an awful consequence
Connected with carnality.
The carnal mind has no defense
Against its deadly apathy.

They do not heed the works of God,
Nor operation of His hands;
The carnal do not count it odd
That no one understands.

Not only is there apathy,
But hatefulness from hell.
The carnal mind is enmity
Against the Lord as well.

Escape the self-destructive way
Of this world's carnal mind
Come to Jesus Christ today,
And life and peace you'll find.

Faithful vs. Fainting

"I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord" (Psalm 27:13,14). "If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.... A just men falleth seven times, and riseth up again" (Proverbs 24:10,16). "Who shall deliver me from this body of death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 7:24,25).

If not for the knowledge that God is so good,
I surely would come to despair.
I'd faint if I did not believe that I could
Be casting on my Him every care.

So if I am fainting and my strength is too small,
I'll wait on the Lord in that hour.
For when I am weak and I'm ready to fall,
He'll lift me again by His power.

Reckoned as Risen

"We are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection.... Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:4,5,11).

We're reckoned as dead indeed to our sin.
We're reckoned alive with a life that is new.
We're reckoned as righteous that we may begin
To glorify God in all that we do.

We're planted with Christ in the likeness of death
And also the likeness of His resurrection.
Thus as we yield to Him life and breath
Our Lord gives us power and daily direction.

Sessions for Sinners

"Good and upright is the Lord: therefore will He teach sinners in the way. The meek will He guide in judgment: and the meek will He teach His way.... What man is he that feareth the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way He shall choose" (Psalm 25:9,10,12). "Tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us" (Romans 5:3-5).

Class is in session for sinners who seek
The knowledge of God's way imparted.
The fear of the Lord and a heart that is meek
Are all that you need to get started.

We all qualify as those born in sin
In need of our Savior's salvation.
We have a course list before we begin
Of sessions before graduation.

The first course we take is in tribulation,
For through it our patience is tried.
When patience is learned (instead of frustration),
Experience thus is supplied.

The goal of experience has this great aim:
To hope with assurance in God.
And hope thus imparts that which never will shame:
God's love in our hearts shed abroad.

Reckoned as Righteous

"Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who shall stand in His holy place? He that hath clean hands, and pure heart, who hath not lifted up His soul unto vanity. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of His salvation" (Psalm 24:2-5). "The righteousness of God without the law is manifested... even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:21-23).

Who shall ascend to the hill of the Lord?
Or who shall be standing in His holy place?
Only the ones who receive the reward
Of righteousness God is giving by grace.

Jesus procured our righteousness thus:
By offering Himself as our Sacrifice.
Thus He received it and gave it to us;
No other ransom will ever suffice.

Religion must fail because it demands
The righteousness we ourselves cannot give:
A right soul, a pure heart, and clean holy hands,
In no way describes how we truly live.

But Jesus ascended as God's spotless Lamb,
Fulfilling those standards just mentioned above.
It boggles my mind when I think how I am
Thus reckoned as righteous by faith in His love!

Way without Want

"The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want" (Psalm 23:1). "Man's goings are of the Lord; how can a man then understand his own way?.... The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly" (Proverbs 20:24,30). "He was wounded for our transgressions... and by His stripes we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5). "O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps" (Jeremiah 10:23).

The way without want is not within man
For he was created with needs.
Our God will supply, as only He can,
Whatever we lack where He leads.

The Lord is my Shepherd, and I shall not want,
Though sometimes I stray without reason.
And yet even then, though Satan may taunt,
My soul He restores in due season.

The pathway of life is soon shadowed by death
When every false way is revealed.
Now is the time, while we have life and breath,
To discover the way to be healed.

Jesus our Shepherd once laid His life down;
And thus was our greatest need met.
How great was His love that the floods could not drown,
And no greater love is found yet!

The way of salvation is not found within,
Which Jesus alone can provide.
If we would know peace and His freedom from sin,
He must be invited inside.

Destined to Declare

"The assembly of the wicked have enclosed Me: they pierced My hands and My feet.... I will declare Thy name unto My brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise Thee.... They shall come, and shall declare His righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that He hath done this" (Psalm 22:16,22,31).

There is a destiny we share
With all who know God's Son:
We are the seed who shall declare
What Jesus Christ has done.

He has done what He foretold:
They pierced His hands and feet!
In our Savior we behold
This prophecy complete!

Thus we share this destiny:
Declaring that God gave
His Son to die for you and me,
And to forever save.

And Jesus also has declared
His Father's name to those
Who have a place above prepared,
Because He died and rose.

He has done this, we proclaim,
As Scripture said before.
We will bless His precious name
And praise Him more and more.

Brook from the Book

"The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.... The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.... Death and life are in the power of the tongue" (Proverbs 18:4,15,21).

Submerged beneath the flowing brook
Of the words the wise have said
The Bible, God's inspired Book,
Is our wisdom's Fountainhead.

The prudent heart will always thirst,
Discerning ears will always seek,
For wisdom from the Bible first,
Supplying fitting words to speak.

Death and life are in the power
Of the tongue that will persuade.
Every day and every hour
Are eternal choices made.

Thus we see the urgent cause
To speak a fitting word in season:
Life and death should give us pause
To pray and preach with fervent reason.

Additional Acts

"And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own house, and received all that came in unto him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him" (Acts 28:30,31). "Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the Gospel of God.... I am debtor... I am ready... I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ" (Romans 1:1,14-16).

The Book of Acts concludes with Paul
Continuing his preaching;
It doesn't seem to end at all,
As he goes right on teaching.

The Book of Romans picks right up
And tells us what Paul taught,
As if he called us in to sup
To hear what God has wrought.

So it is the Book of Acts
Adds to its unseen pages,
As God accumulates the facts
Throughout the Church's ages.

And though apostles now are gone,
We still convey their teaching,
As still the Church is marching on,
And to the lost is preaching.

Everyday there's more to write;
Be sure God will record
Each word and deed, however slight,
That magnifies the Lord.

Granted by Grace

"And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that Thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that Thine hand might be with me, and that Thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested" (1 Chronicles 4:10).

Who can forbid the thing that God grants?
No one, as surely as God the Lord lives!
God is the Lord over each circumstance;
None can deprive us of what the Lord gives.

See how God granted the prayer of this man,
Jabez, who prayed that the Lord would impart
The blessing, enlargement, and help of His hand
To keep him from evil that grieved his own heart.

Let us pray likewise about every care;
Sometimes we have not because we don't ask.
Let us come boldly to God with each prayer
That we may find grace for each burden and task.

Working on my Way

"It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect" (Psalm 18:32). "The way of the righteous is made plain.... The way of life is above to the wise" (Proverbs 15:19,24).

God is working on my way
And girding me with strength
To run with patience everyday
My course throughout its length.

God who leads in righteousness
Is making my way plain:
Trusting Him ensures success,
And doubting Him is vain.

God has shown the way above
And lifted up my eyes.
Thus I see His boundless love,
And thus He makes me wise.

Awaiting the Awakening

"As for me, I will behold Thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied when I awake with Thy likeness" (Psalm 17:15). "The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death" (Proverbs 14:32).

The length of this life is not what it seems
When seen from eternity's view.
Its treasures and pleasures are like empty dreams
That vanish, as dreams always do.

This life shall be over and we shall awake,
With all who are saved by God's grace,
To rise in His likeness, transformed for His sake,
And then we shall see Jesus' face.

This is our hope, our great expectation,
That not even death can defeat.
And we shall be like Him! Oh, what a salvation,
That finds us in Christ so complete!

Cause of Contention

"Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom" (Proverbs 13:10).

Look for the cause of contention,
And as you are looking inside,
You ought to give special attention
To the presence and problem of pride.

Surely we should be contending
With forces of evil today;
This is a battle unending,
Where not to contend is to stray.

But pride is an evil contender
That has only one thing in view:
To lift up yourself to engender
A higher opinion of you.