Blowing and Blessing

"And immediately He talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: It is I; be not afraid. And He went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased" (Mark 6:50,51). "The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and He addeth no sorrow with it" (Proverbs 10:22).

The wind may blow and cause alarm,
But Jesus Christ is near at hand.
He guards our souls from every harm;
The wind will cease at His command.

The storm may come, the waves may swell,
And we may sometimes wonder why.
So may we learn to listen well,
And hear our Lord say, "It is I."

And hearing this, we have good cheer;
We never need to be afraid.
The blowing winds bring Jesus near,
And thus His blessing is displayed.

Look of Love

"And Jesus, when He came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd" (Mark 6:34). "All we like sheep have gone astray" (Isaiah 53:6).

As Jesus looked down from His throne,
When we like sheep had gone astray,
He longed to claim us as His own,
And take our load of sin away.

As Jesus looked out from the mount,
On hopeless people of this earth,
His own compassion made Him count
And pay the price their souls were worth.

As Jesus looked from Calvary,
Where He for us was crucified,
He looked through time on you and me
With eyes of love, and for us died.

Holy Hatred

"The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.... For whoso findeth Me findeth life, and shall obtain favor of the LORD. But he that sinneth against Me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate Me love death" (Proverbs 8:13,35,36).

The fear of the Lord will teach us to hate
All that is evil in God's holy eyes.
There's no middle ground or room for debate:
Love what God loves, and the evil despise.

For God hates the sin that will wrong our own soul,
Depriving us of His pleasure and favor.
The evil we hold to will soon take its toll,
By wronging ourselves and grieving the Savior.

Discipled through Distress

"Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer" (Psalm 4:1).

The circumstances in our lives
Will sometimes cause distress.
Yet this is when God's Spirit strives
To purge, enlarge, and bless.

We know that God still works all things
Together for our good;
Yes, even through distress He brings
The discipline He should.

Sweet vs. Swine

"Now there was nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding. And all the devils besought Him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea (they were about two thousand), and were choked in the sea. And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done. And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting and clothed, and in his right mind... And they began to pray Him to depart out of their coasts. And when He was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed Him that he might be with Him" (Mark 5:11-18).

The riches of this passing world,
Like the swine those herdsmen cherished,
Are destined one day to be hurled
To the sea of all things perished.

Behold in Christ the riches found:
Life abundant, endless, sweet!
Let the devilish swine be drowned,
While we sit at Jesus feet.

Clothed in righteousness we find,
The peace this world cannot afford;
Seated, clothed, in our right mind,
In sweet surrender to our Lord!

Let the world have its swine,
And bid the Savior to depart.
Yet I am His, and He is mine,
And this gives gladness to my heart.

Finding by Following

"I being in the way, the Lord led me.... And I bowed my head, and worshiped the LORD God... which had led me in right way" (Genesis 24:27,48).

Lead us, Lord our God, we pray
To find Your purpose to fulfill.
The safest place to be today
Is in the center of Your will.

Through the paths of joy or pain,
We look to You to lead the way.
For You will make the right way plain
To those who follow and obey.

Fresh Fruit

"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper" (Psalm 1:1-3). "These are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred" (Mark 4:20).

Those who decide to be fruitful for God,
Will seldom receive this world's commendation.
They will not wait for the world to applaud,
But find in God's Word their sweet meditation.

Fresh fruit will thus come to those thus employed,
For they will see the things from God's point of view;
And they will delight in what God has enjoyed,
In doing His will, and proclaiming what's true.

Place in the Praise

"Praise ye the Lord.... Praise Him for His mighty acts: praise Him according to His excellent greatness. Praise Him with the trumpet... Praise Him with the timbrel and dance.... Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord" (Psalm 150:1-6).

For all the Lord did, shall do, and He does,
Give praise to the Lord, and His work proclaim!
For all the Lord is, shall be, and He was,
Give praise to the Lord, for His excellent name!

Now where is your place in this concert of praise?
The sound of a trumpet? The timbrel? The dance?
The place and the part that each one of us plays,
Is ours by God's purpose, not meaningless chance.

Healing on Hand

"And when He [Jesus] had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, He saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other" (Mark 3:5).

In the midst of hardened hearts,
Stretch forth your prayerful hand.
For thereby God imparts
The strength we need to stand.

Stretch forth your needy hand,
And God will fill it full.
He heals by His command,
And thereby makes us whole.

Tenderly Together

"And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together. And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the burnt offering? And Abraham said, My son, God will provide Himself a Lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together" (Genesis 22:6-8). "Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave Me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me" (John 16:32).

Our Savior did not walk alone,
But with His Father up that hill;
For He knew, as He was known,
His Father's presence and His will.

What a portrait that we see
As Isaac and his father walk:
May they speak to you and me,
As together, they thus talk:

"My father," pausing where he stood.
"Here am I, my son," said he.
"Behold the fire and the wood,
But for an offering, what have we?"

"God will provide Himself a Lamb,"
He answers Isaac tenderly.
And in those words of Abraham,
The Lamb of God we clearly see.

So together they went on,
With the fire, knife, and wood.
Praise the Father! Praise the Son!
Shout together: "God is good!"

Stars and Statutes

"He telleth the number of the stars; He calleth them all by their names.... He showeth His word unto Jacob, His statutes and His judgments unto Israel" (Psalm 147:4,19). "Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion? Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? Or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons?" (Job 38:31,32). "But he [the cleansed leper] went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter" (Mark 1:45).

Twinkle, twinkle, blazing star.
Now I know just what you are.
You're a witness up above,
Of God's majesty and love.

God assigned to you a name
To spread abroad your Maker's fame.
So let Orion magnify
The Prince of Light who came to die.

Mazzaroth, bring forth His praise!
Shine, Arcturus, set ablaze
The sky with words that tell the story
Of redemption and God's glory.

And as we turn our wondering eyes
Away from God's majestic skies,
His statutes, true from age to age,
Are told on Scripture's every page.

Let us therefore blaze abroad
The Gospel of our glorious God!
Like the stars shine in the night,
Let us shed abroad His light.

Happiness, Hope, and Help

"Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God: which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth forever" (Psalm 146:5,6).

Happy is he whose Helper is God,
Happy is he who hopes in the LORD,
Who is led by the comfort His staff and rod,
And is kept by the power His mercies afford.

Happy is he whose trust is in Christ,
The Maker of heaven, the earth, and the sea,
Who came to this earth to be sacrificed,
To rescue the likes of you and of me.

Foolish Fear

"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).

The fear of man will bring a snare,
Warp discernment, prompt despair.
The fear of God will bring relief,
Guide our steps, promote belief.

Be done with fearing mortal man!
Fear the Lord! Before Him stand!
While many seek the ruler's favor,
God tries and judges our behavior.

Moot Man

"Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. So they went, and made the sepulcher sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch" (Matthew 27:65,66).

"Make it as sure as you can."
That is what Pilate had said.
The tomb would be sealed by man,
But God raised our Lord from the dead.

Make it as sure as you can;
Try, but your efforts must fail.
No counsel, no power, or plan
Can ever against God prevail!

Better Boast

"Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth" (Proverbs 27:1).

Boast not yourself of tomorrow, my friend,
You cannot foretell just how it will end.
God owns tomorrow, and all it contains:
Its mixture of sorrow, of joy, and its gains.

Boast in the Lord, for the future is His,
The past we record, and what presently is.
Trust in the Savior, for He holds tomorrow,
The past that we savor, and the present we borrow.

Solace for Souls

"I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul. I cried unto Thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my Refuge and my Portion in the land of the living" (Psalm 142:4,5).

How much I was shaken that day when I cried
Concluding that none would care for my soul;
But I was mistaken, since Christ for me died:
The work now is done and my debt paid in full!

Word Watch

"Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Incline not my heart to any evil thing" (Psalm 141:3,4). "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold" (Proverbs 25:11). "Then he [Peter] began to curse and swear, saying, I know not the Man" (Matthew 26:74).

Set a watch, O my Lord,
At the door of my lips,
And screen every word
Before the word slips.

Be the Guard of my heart
Before my mouth sins.
Yes, it's better to start
Where the problem begins.

Let Your word richly dwell
In my heart everyday.
Let me draw from the well
Of Your word and Your way.

Send a word that is right,
Fitting each situation.
Let Your truth be my light
And my heart's meditation.

Prayer for Preservation

"Deliver me, O Lord.... Keep me, O Lord... preserve me.... O God the Lord, the Strength of my salvation, Thou hast covered my head in the day of battle" (Psalm 140:1-7). "A wise man is strong.... If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small" (Proverbs 24:5,10). "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but he flesh is weak" (Matthew 26:41).

The spirit indeed is willing,
But the flesh is so very weak.
Let that true assessment be filling
Your heart as in prayer you will speak.

So pray for your own preservation
And watch in adversity's day.
The God of your strength and salvation
Will cover your head as you pray.

Seek and Seen

"And she called the name of the Lord that spake unto her, Thou God seest me; for she said, Have I also looked after Him that seeth me?" (Genesis 16:13). "O Lord, Thou hast searched me and known me.... See if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Psalm 139:1,24).

When at first for God I sought,
I found Him by surprise.
Amazing truth! Who would have thought
God fixed on me His eyes?

My every thought and word and deed
Were pondered in His sight!
I'd sought for Him who saw my need
For love and life and light.

Lord, You've searched and known me well.
I seek You; I am seen.
Search me still, and thus dispel
My sin, and make me clean.

Worship isn't Wasted

"After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy Shield, and thy exceeding great Reward" (Genesis 15:1). "Now when Jesus was in Bethany... there came unto Him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on His head, as He sat at meat. But when His disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose was this waste?" (Matthew 26:6-8).

"Why this waste?" the lost will say,
For they know nothing of
The ransom Jesus died to pay,
Compelled by His own love.

So what if others count it vain
To worship Christ our Lord?
Jesus is our greatest Gain,
Our exceeding great Reward.

No, worship is not wasted;
It's a breath of heaven's air.
It's heaven's joys foretasted,
And heaven's grandest prayer.

Sovereign Searcher

"The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: He turneth it whithersoever He will. Every way of man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts.... A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, He directeth his way" (Proverbs 21:1,2,29).

The heart of the king is in the Lord's hand,
To turn it wherever He will.
Whether or not the kings understand,
His purpose they'll surely fulfill.

And God is the searcher of each of our hearts;
The meek will He teach by His grace.
How sweet is the peace that surrender imparts!
How bitter the proud, hardened face!

Back to the Beginning

"And he (Abram) went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto to the place where his tent had been at the beginning... unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the Lord.... And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art" (Genesis 13:3,4,14). "Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest" (John 4:35).

Look back to the place you began,
To the place where you called on the Lord,
When you learned of His judgment and ran
To the refuge His cross would afford.

Now lift up your eyes on the fields,
From the place where you presently are.
The grace in the harvest that yields
Is the grace that has led you thus far.

The Counsel that Counts

"Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.... Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge" (Proverbs 19:21). "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away" (Matthew 24:35).

Many indeed, are the counsels of man
This world so highly esteems.
The counsel that counts is that which will stand;
All else are just wrongheaded dreams.

Cease from instruction that causes your heart
To go from God's counsel astray.
Heaven and earth shall surely depart
But His words shall not pass away.

Behold Before

"Behold, I have told you before" (Matthew 24:25).

Down through time's long corridor
Our Lord could see clearly and say:
"Behold, I have told you before,"
And speak of this earth's latter day.

What marvelous truths He unveiled!
The earth's final chapters are written!
The Lord will have finally prevailed,
Though He, for our sakes, would be smitten.

Let this be our great expectation:
"Behold, I have told you before."
From the cross to the great tribulation,
And thereafter with Christ evermore.

Gathered by His Goodness

"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity... for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore" (Psalm 133:1,3). "How often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!" (Matthew 23:37).

How good and how pleasant it is when we gather
Around Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord!
And this is the place where Christ would be rather
Than any place else that He looks toward.

"How often would I have gathered your children"
(How tender the Savior's lamentable thought!),
"Just as a hen also gathers her chickens
All under her wings, and yet you would not."

Astonishing words revealing His heart!
How sweet the assurance that He is same!
One day He'll gather us not to depart;
Till then we'll gather around His dear name.

Weightier Wealth

"Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.... How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!.... Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.... He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city" (Proverbs 16:8,16,19,32). "Ye... have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith" (Matthew 23:23).

When measured on the perfect scales
That God Almighty views,
The righteousness from God prevails
Above great revenues.

When wisdom is compared with gold
By God's unerring measure,
How much better, we are told,
Is wisdom's greater treasure.

When God contrasts humility
Against the haughty crowd,
He gives grace to the lowly,
But He resists the proud.

When patience rules our hearts and souls,
We're better than the strong.
How good it is when God controls
Our spirits all day long.

Laws of Love

"Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself" (Matthew 22:36-39).

Of all the mandates of the Law,
The greatest one that we can find
Is: You shall love the Lord your God
With all your heart and soul mind.

The second one is: Love your neighbor
The same as you would love yourself.
May these be found in our behavior,
Not hidden on a dusty shelf.

Wedding Warning

"The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which a made a marriage for his son, and sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.... They made light of it and went their ways.... And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment. And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless" (Matthew 22:2-12). "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness.... But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags" (Isaiah 61:10, 64:6).

You have your wedding invitation;
God bids the greatest and the least.
He gives the garments of salvation,
Required at this wedding feast.

This robe of righteousness He gives
Will cover your unrighteousness;
For Jesus died, He rose, and lives
To justify each wedding guest.

A word of warning to all those
Who think their righteousness will do:
Your righteousness, like filthy clothes,
Will not suffice to cover you!

How shall you stand before the King
Without His garment on that day,
When no excuse that you can bring
Explains your negligence away?

Hope Deferred and Heart Desire

"Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.... The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul" (Proverbs 13:12,19).

Hope deferred is part of life;
Heart desire is as well.
Look beyond the present strife:
Heaven triumphs over hell.

While our hope is in the Lord,
We can rest; He's in control.
Christ shall come with His reward;
Come, Desire of our soul!

Goodly Fruit in Godly Fear

"Blessed is everyone that feareth the Lord... Happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. Thy wife shall be as the fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table" (Psalm 128:1-3). "The root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.... A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth" (Proverbs 12:12,14). "And when He saw a fig tree in the way, He came to it , and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward forever. And presently the fig tree withered away" (Matthew 21:19).

The goodly fruit of godly fear
Is given by the Savior.
We taste it in the words we hear,
We see it in behavior.

Lord, grant in us this goodly fruit
Through what we say and do.
Lord, give to us that righteous root
That yields fruit for You.

Heavenly Heritage

"Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is His reward" (Psalm 127:3). "Then came the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshiping Him, and desiring a certain thing. And He said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto Him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on Thy right hand, and the other on the left in Thy kingdom" (Matthew 20:20,21).

(Note that James and John, this mother's "sons of thunder" (Mark 3:17), were among the three that our Lord drew especially close to Himself throughout His ministry.)

Behold the children that God gives:
They're heaven's precious treasure.
For them our Savior died and lives,
This is their valued measure.

Pray that children of the womb
Be children born again;
Guide them to the empty tomb
Where Jesus rose again.

Petition God to keep them close
And live for Him each day.
Our Savior heeds the prayer of those
Who pray to Him that way.

Weeping vs. Sleeping

"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). "He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame" (Proverbs 10:5).

They that sow the Gospel seed
Are also those who weep.
Those who do not see the need
Are also those who sleep.

Those who weep with tears of love
Can see through Jesus' eyes.
Those who sleep are thoughtless of
The hopeless soul who dies.

Awake! The harvest time is here!
What shall the sleepers say,
When they before the Lord appear
On that approaching day?

Suffer them Sooner

"Then were brought unto Him little children, that He should put His hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto Me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 19:8).

Suffer the children to come to the Lord.
Do not forbid them or hinder their way.
The Savior is calling, and looking toward,
The children to trust Him and not go astray.

The sooner the better, little children should know
That God is concerned with a child's behavior.
So train up a child in the way he should go,
And guide him to trust in the Lord as his Savior.

Kindred Keeper

"And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?" (Genesis 4:9).

Am I my brother's keeper?
These were the words of Cain.
The secret lurking deeper,
Before the Lord was plain.

Before Cain slew his brother
God saw his evil heart.
The murder of another,
Is traced there from the start.

I am my brother's keeper,
A steward of God's love!
I watchman, not a sleeper,
Accountable above.

Asking for Adam

"And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?" "For the Son of Man is come to save that which was lost" (Matthew 19:11).

Lord, You knew where Adam hid,
And yet you asked him where he was.
Lord, You knew what Adam did,
And what each son of Adam does.

And still Your love has asked for us,
Within this garden cursed by sin.
We hear Your voice, and answer thus:
Forgive us, Lord, and enter in!

Changed as a Child

"And Jesus called a little child unto Him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:2,3).

Jesus called, the child came,
And He set him in their midst.
Thus He calls us, just the same,
Yet our rebel hearts resist.

Becoming as a little child
Does not mean to be naive.
How often rather we're beguiled
By our pride that will deceive.

Lord, we come to You defiled:
Cleanse us from the pride you find.
Change us, as a little child;
Keep us in that frame of mind.

Just Jesus

"This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well-pleased; hear ye Him.... And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only" (Matthew 17:5-8).

Jesus only, what a sight!
Oh what peace our Lord imparts!
Jesus only, puts to flight
Every fear that plagues our hearts!

Lift your eyes to Jesus only;
Lend your ears to hear His voice.
We need not be sad or lonely;
Hear Him, see Him, and rejoice!

Decrees in the Darkness

"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.... And God said, Let there be light in the firmament of the heaven... and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so" (Genesis 1:1-3,14,15). "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).

In the beginning when God had created
The heaven and earth in the darkness of night,
The light was ordained as soon as He stated:
"Let there be light," and then there was light.

And so shall it be with those who are wise,
Shining as stars by God's Gospel decree;
And so may His Spirit illumine the eyes
Of those who in darkness are longing to see.

Ready Remedy

"Fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones" (Proverbs 3:7,8). "Unto you that fear My name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in His wings" (Malachi 4:2).

There is a ready remedy
That will heal our soul's disease:
Fear the Lord, and thereby flee
From all evil that He sees.

Let Your fear, Lord, make us wise,
With the remedy it brings.
Sun of righteousness, arise
With our healing in Your wings.

Fortune Finder

"I rejoice at Thy word, as one that findeth great spoil" (Psalm 119:162). "My son, if thou wilt receive My words... 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" (Proverbs 2:1-6).

Rejoice, my soul, at what you've found!
No earthly fortune can compare!
The treasures in God's Word abound;
Who would have thought so much was there!

Come, search with wondrous expectation
The knowledge of our God concealed:
Prophetic words of our salvation,
And His wondrous love revealed.

Lift your voice for understanding;
Search for her as hidden treasure!
Find the wisdom God is handing
To all those who seek His pleasure.

Hypocrisy in the Heart

"Ye hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto Me with their mouth, and honoreth Me with their lips; but their heart is far from Me" (Matthew 15:7,8).

Dear Lord, in view of all You are,
It seems so very odd
That hearts can choose to be so far
With lips that honor God.

Expose my heart's hypocrisy,
And purge it by Your gaze!
Thus shall my heart and lips agree
In love and grateful praise.

Waiting in the Watches

"Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in Thy Word" (Psalm 119:148). "And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea... saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid" (Matthew 14:25,27).

Sometimes when it is very late,
And all is quiet in the night,
I’ll read God’s Word and meditate,
And in His way I will delight.

Sometimes when storms will come my way,
I will cry to God for aid.
I’ll wait and watch to hear Him say:
“It is I, be not afraid!”

Priceless Prize

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, He hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it" (Matthew 13:45,46). "Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it" (Ephesians 5:25). "Ye are bought with a price" (1 Corinthians 6:20).

Jesus came into this world,
Heaven's splendor left behind,
To seek a priceless, precious pearl:
What was this pearl He sought to find?

He found His treasure, come and see!
Behold the prize our Savior sought!
That treasure found is you and me,
With all the church His blood has bought.

What was it that He saw in us
That made Him pay that awful price?
Amazing love that offered thus
Himself to be our sacrifice!

Words about Wounds

"And one shall say unto Him, What are these wounds in Thine hands? Then He shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of My friends. Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, and against the Man that is My Fellow, saith the Lord of hosts: smite the Shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered" (Zechariah 13:6,7). "And when He has so said, He showed unto them His hands and His side. Then were the disciples glad when they saw the Lord" (John 20:20).

What are these wounds in my good Shepherd's hands?
Why are they marred in this way?
Speak to me, Lord, till my heart understands:
What will You answer and say?

These are the wounds with which I was smitten
When I walked in the house of My friends.
These are the marks of love that are written
And the proof that My love never ends.

These are reminders of salvation's price
That I paid on the cross to the full.
These are the tokens of My sacrifice
That I offered to ransom your soul.

Spear and Spirit

"And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon Me whom they have pierced.... In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness" (Zechariah 12:10, 13:1).

Oh what amazing grace we hear
That God Almighty prophesied:
Those who pierced Him with a spear,
Shall see Him Whom they crucified!

And what a Fountain here is seen
As God pours out His Spirit:
The blood of Jesus washes clean
The sinners who draw near it!

Prophesied Price

"The poor of the flock that waited upon Me knew that it was the word of the Lord. And I said unto them, If ye think good, give Me My price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for My price thirty pieces of silver. And the Lord said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prized at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver and cast them to the potter in the house of the Lord" (Zechariah 11:11-13).

Never was silver accounted so dirty,
And never betrayal so cruel,
Than the pieces foretold, amounting to thirty,
In the covenant made by a fool.

The poor of the flock remember that price,
And the temple in which it was hurled.
They'd rather be poor, and have Jesus Christ,
Than considered as rich by this world.

Way of His Word

"I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto Thy testimonies. I made haste, and delayed not to keep Thy commandments.... How sweet are Thy words to my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through Thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and light unto my path" (Psalm 119:59,60,103-105).

Your words, O Lord, are very sweet;
More sweet than honey to my taste.
They're like a lamp, they guide my feet
To do Your perfect will with haste.

So when I think upon my way
And find it different than Your Word,
Lord, turn my feet without out delay
To do what I have therein heard.

Prudent Prisoners

"A prudent man forseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished" (Proverbs 22:3). "As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water. Turn ye to the stronghold, ye prisoners of hope" (Zechariah 9:11,12). "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).

Turn now to the Hiding Place,
You prisoners of hope!
In Jesus Christ is saving grace,
A life preserving rope!

In Jesus Christ we safely rest;
We could not safer be!
His love has stood the strongest test;
His truth has set us free!

Ode to His Ordinance

"Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: Thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. They continue this day according to Thine ordinances: for all are Thy servants" (Psalm 119:90,91).

Let all the earth tremble at this awesome thought:
God merely spoke, and the universe wrought.
And now by that same word, all things are sustained,
The earth yet continues as He has ordained.

Your faithfulness, Lord, is to all generations:
Your ordinance rules over all Your creations.
For all are Your servants, obedient to You.
Lord, I would submit to Your ordinance too.

Losing your Life

"He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for My sake shall find it" (Matthew 10:39). "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10:11).

Life and death paradox: how will you choose?
By finding your life, your life you will lose.
By losing your life for the Lord, you will find
His life more abundant and His peace of mind.

Fashion my Faith

"Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn Thy commandments" (Psalm 119:73).

Lord, You have fashioned my heart with Your hand;
You know me thoroughly, inside and out.
Fashion my faith so that I'll understand
That wisdom will trust you, and folly will doubt.

Harvest Helper

"The harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that He will send forth laborers into His harvest" (Matthew 9:37,38).

The harvest is white, but the workers are few.
The day turns to night, and then we are through.
Draw near to the Lord of the harvest and pray,
That He may accordingly send you today.

Manifold Mercy

"The earth, O Lord, is full of Thy mercy: teach me Thy statutes" (Psalm 119:64).

How great is Your mercy, O Lord, in the earth,
So filled with Your beauty, Your wisdom, and worth!
In the things we can see, Your attributes shine:
Each flower and tree manifests Your design.

In the things we can hear, Your message is heard:
The hymns we hold dear, the song of a bird.
In the things we can smell, Your fragrance we meet:
The fresh breezes swell with aromas so sweet.

In the things we can taste, Your flavors delight.
Each fruit You've encased with a savor just right.
In things that we touch, Your hand we can feel.
We need You so much, Lord, to hold and to heal.

All of our God-given senses reveal
Your mercy, O Lord, from the day of our birth.
We see, hear, and taste; we smell and we feel
Your manifold mercy in all of the earth.

Manner of Man

"The men marveled, saying, What manner of Man is this that even the winds and the sea obey Him!" (Matthew 8:27). “Who being in the form of God... took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men... Wherefore God hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow... and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” (Philippians 2:6-11).

What manner of Man is this One Who came
Commanding the wind and the sea?
What manner of Man could heal the lame
And set Satan's prisoners free?

What manner of Man would descend from above
And lay down His life for the lost?
What manner of Man could be moved by such love,
To pay that unspeakable cost?

This manner of Man is our God and our Lord,
Though He took on Himself human frame.
This manner of Man shall be ever adored:
The Lord Jesus Christ is His name!

Sayings in Season

"A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!.... The words of the pure are pleasant words.... The heart of the righteous studieth to answer" (Proverbs 15:23,26,28). "Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you" (1 Peter 3:15).

O how good are words in season!
How a pleasant word can heal!
Hope within us has a reason
That our answers may reveal.

Be ready, then, to answer well
In every situation.
Woo to heaven, warn of hell,
Declaring God's salvation.

Good Gifts

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.... If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?" (Matthew 7:7,8,11).

God will give to those who ask.
God will show to those who seek.
For every need and every task,
Go to God and freely speak.

God will open, if we knock,
Doors of opportunity,
If with Him we humbly walk,
And to Him obedient be.

If we then, with evil mind,
Give our children what is good,
How much more is God inclined
To give much better than we would?

First things First

"The Desire of the nations shall come.... and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts" (Haggai 2:7,9). "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33).

Come, Desire of the nations;
Fill my hunger, quench my thirst.
Rid me of the expectations
That displace You as the first.

First things first, Lord, I would seek,
Your kingdom and Your righteousness.
Here I am to hear You speak:
Nothing more, and nothing less.

Consider the Counselors

"Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counselors" (Psalm 119:24).

Counselors of mercy, counselors of light,
Comfort of God's heart, correction in His sight;
Counselors of wisdom, in all things always right:
His testimonies counsel me, and they are my delight.

Rejoicing in His Riches

"I have rejoiced in the way of Thy testimonies as much as in all riches" (Psalm 119:14). "The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing" (Zephaniah 3:17).

Rejoice in the riches you find in God's word,
More than the temporal wealth of this earth.
Eye has not seen and ear has not heard
The fullness of Christ and His infinite worth.

Rejoice in the joy that your Lord has in you,
Sing with the song of your Lord's jubilation.
Rest in the love that your Lord rests in too,
Which sought you, which bought you, and brought you salvation.

Might of the Meek

"Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought His judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness" (Zephaniah 2:3). "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5).

There is a perception that's wrong
Concerning that trait God calls "meek."
The meek in God's sight are the strong;
Though others perceive them as weak.

The meek shall inherit the earth,
For they know it belongs to the Lord.
They work and they wait for the worth
Of a new earth and heaven restored.

Remember that Jesus is meek;
Almighty, yet lowly in heart.
So let us His meekness seek,
And wait for the strength He'll impart.

Forming Fishers

"And He saith unto them, Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19).

Jesus Christ said, "Follow Me,"
And thus His fishers He would make.
What greater purpose could there be
Than fishing souls for Jesus sake?

Teach us, Lord, to bait the hook
With grace attracting precious souls.
Make us fishers by Your Book,
And by Your Spirit Who controls.

Thus we see our Savior's heart,
Who came to seek and save the lost.
Teach us, Lord, Your fisher's art,
To fish for souls at any cost.

The Reason to Rejoice

"Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: yet will I rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation" (Habakkuk 3:17,18).

Temporary treasures fail.
The flower blossoms fade.
Mortal flesh must soon grow pale,
And in the grave be laid.

Giving thanks for bread each day
Must surely have its place;
Yet this too will pass away
Without a lasting trace.

Yet in God I will rejoice,
And joy in His salvation!
So to Him I lift my voice
With grateful adoration!

Sin against Self

"Thou hast consulted shame... and hast sinned against thy soul... for the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord... Thou art filled with shame for glory" (Habakkuk 2:10-16). "He goeth... till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life" (Proverbs 7:22,23).

The one who won't give to Jesus control,
Refusing to let Him come in,
Is sinning against his very own soul,
Betraying himself by his sin.

How treasonous is the self-deceived heart
Who forfeits his glory for shame;
That hastens as would bird to a dart,
And knows not his life it will claim!

Read and Run

"The Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.... The just shall live by his faith" (Habakkuk 2:2,4). "I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ... For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith" (Romans 1:16,17).

Write the words and make them plain
That the one who reads may run;
And that he may not run in vain,
And make it clear to everyone:
"The just shall live by faith" in Christ,
For Jesus Christ alone can save!
For Christ for us was sacrificed,
And for us rose up from the grave!

Whosoever Will

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

Whosoever is athirst,
Now come and freely drink.
Come, though others think the worst;
Let them alone to think.
Don't wait for some
With careless thought;
Sometimes they'll come,
And sometimes not.
Come, the bride and Spirit say,
And freely drink your fill!
Come while it is called today,
Now whosoever will!

No Night

"The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day" (Proverbs 4:18). "And there shall be no more curse... and they shall see His face... and there shall be no night there... for the Lord God giveth them light" (Revelation 22:4,5).

Why is the path of believers like light
That shines more and more on their path?
Because it is leading where there is no night,
And there is no curse and no wrath.

God gives the light in that glorious place,
Where the light of our path is from.
And soon we shall see our Lord face to face!
Let's follow that light till He come.

Basis of the Book

"And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.... And the city had no need of the sun...the Lamb is the light thereof... and there shall in no wise enter into it any... but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life" (Revelation 20:15, 21:23,27).

Is your name in the Lamb's book of life?
Have you asked Jesus Christ to come in?
Do you have peace with God, or strife?
Has the blood of the Lamb washed your sin?

If your name has been written above,
It's because you received Jesus Christ.
And your basis to be there is love
That compelled Him to be sacrificed.

Finding His Fear

"The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.... The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Psalm 111:2,10). "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" (Proverbs 2:3-6).

The works of the Lord are great in creation!
How great is the God who created all things!
And oh, as we ponder His works in salvation,
What pleasure is ours to unveil such things!

Come let us search as for great hidden treasure,
And count the indifference of this world as odd!
In the fear of the Lord we'll discover His pleasure,
And find heaven's wealth in the knowledge of God.

Wisdom's Warning

"Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets... in the city she uttereth her words, saying, How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity, and 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" (Proverbs 1:20-23). "The Lord's voice crieth unto the city, and the man of wisdom shall see Thy name: hear ye the rod, and Who hath appointed it" (Micah 6:9).

The voice of the Lord has cried to the city;
Hear His reproof, sinner, hear now the rod.
Turn by His Spirit, yet warning with pity:
Flee from the judgment of Almighty God!

How long will you scoff at His voice of reproof?
How long will you yawn in the Almighty's face?
How long will you stand unashamed and aloof?
How long will you snub His astonishing grace?

Wherein Wearied?

"The Lord hath a controversy with His people... O my people, what have I done unto thee? And wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against Me" (Micah 6:2,3).

"Wherein have I wearied you?" God has inquired.
What have I done now to make you so tired?
Are you bored with creation displaying God's glory?
Or is now your salvation a tedious story?

O dread accusation, that I am deemed weary!
And when did salvation begin to seem dreary?
Awake to the splendor of all God has made,
To Christ your Defender, and the ransom He paid!

Heaven's Help

"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 108:12,13). Every word of God is pure: He is a Shield unto them that put their trust in Him" (Proverbs 30:5).

Give us help from trouble, Lord
(For vain is help from man),
By Your Shield, by Your Sword,
And by Your battle plan.

Your Word, the Spirit's sword, we wield,
And wait for Your command.
We trust You, Lord, our Strength and Shield,
And by Your help we stand.

Reproved without Remedy

"He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy" (Proverbs 29:1). "He (the Comforter) will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment" (John 16:8).

The Spirit of the Lord reproves
The world everyday;
And God in His compassion moves
To heal those gone astray.

Yet still the sinner may resist
God's perfect remedy;
And thus with hardened neck insist
On hell eternally.

Loathing the Leanness

"They waited not for His counsel, but lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. And He gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul" (Psalm 106:13-15).

Lord, teach us to loathe this condition of leanness
That enters our soul when we trust our own heart.
And give us the healing that comes with the cleanness
Of your holy fear that Your Word will impart.

Wretched condition, this leanness of soul,
With wandering eyes, so full of distraction!
Oh how much better when we give control
To God who alone can give satisfaction!

Wisest Witness

"Hear, all ye people; hearken, O earth, and all that therein is: and let the Lord God be witness against you" (Micah 1:2). "God... commandeth all men everywhere to repent" (Acts 17:30).

Let all of the earth be attentive and hear;
Let the Lord witness against you today.
The witness of God will teach you to fear;
The fear of the Lord will teach you to pray.

The Lord is beholding each sinful behavior,
He knows every thought, every word, every deed.
The Lord is the Witness, yet also the Savior,
Of all who repent and will trust Him indeed.

Making a Minister

"Who maketh his angels spirits; His ministers a flaming fire" (Psalm 104:4).

Make us, Lord, Your flaming fire,
To start revival's flame.
Mold in us this one desire:
To magnify Your name.

The essence ministers are of
Is fuel that burns with zeal;
So let us brightly burn with love
That others see and feel.

Missing their Mercy

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.... For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgression from us.... The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him" (Psalm 103:2,11,17). "They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy... Salvation is of the Lord" (Jonah 2:8,9).

As high as the heaven is over the earth,
As far as the distance that east is from west,
As long as the ages without end or birth,
So great is God's mercy, His peace, and His rest.

What great deprivation they have who observe
Lies that destroy them by turning their eyes!
Turning aside from salvation, they swerve,
Missing their mercy for vanity's lies.

Sleep that Slays

"If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; if thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not He that pondereth the heart consider it? And He that keepeth thy soul, doth not He know it?.... Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: so shall thy poverty come as one that traveleth; and thy want as an armed man" (Proverbs 24:11,12,33,34). "Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep. So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? Arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not" (Jonah 1:6,7).

How shall I answer my Keeper
When He ponders my heart with disdain:
"What do you mean, O sleeper?
Will you not be concerned for those slain?"

I have no excuse for delay
With regard to my sleep in the past.
But while it is still called today
Let me rise from my slumber at last.

Sureness of Shortness

"The devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time" (Revelation 12:12).

Surely the devil is busy today,
Knowing he has but a very short time.
Shouldn't we therefore be watchful and pray,
And fervently work in our calling sublime?

Now doesn't it seem just a little bit odd,
While Satan is active and surely aware,
That we would be drowsy and lukewarm for God,
Halfhearted in labor and sleepy in prayer?

Celebrate the Certainty

"Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before His presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord He is God.... Be thankful unto Him and bless His name. For the Lord is good" (Psalm 100:1-5). "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 know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?" (Proverbs 22:19-21).

Celebrate the certainty of all we surely know.
The Lord is God, the Lord is good from whom all blessings flow.
Serve the Lord with gladness, and share His certainty
With everyone with ears to hear the truth that makes us free.

Familiar Famine

"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord. And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the Word of the Lord, and shall not find it" (Amos 8:11,12).

Behold, the day of famine comes,
No, not for thirst and not for bread,
But like the fading beat of drums,
We shall not hear what God has said.

Oh, awful day by famine cursed
That even now we've seen and heard!
Familiar hunger, dreadful thirst,
Are all around us for God's Word!

Ends of the Earth

"The Lord hath made known His salvation: His righteousness hath He openly showed in the sight of the heathen. He hath remembered His mercy and His truth...all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God" (Psalm 98:2,3). Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

The ends of the earth have seen the salvation
That God has so clearly made known to all.
Thus every tribe and every nation
Under the heavens have heard His call.

And no other name but the Lord Jesus Christ
Under all heaven has power to save:
To this very end was our Lord sacrificed,
And by His power He conquered the grave.

Woe to the World

"Woe to them that are at ease... that put far away the evil day.... which rejoice in a thing of nought" (Amos 6:1,3,13). "And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth" (Revelation 8:13).

Woe to the world yet taking its ease,
Thinking that judgment is so far away.
Woe to the people refusing to seize
The gift of salvation God offers today.

Woe the world that will not repent,
Rejoicing in temporal pleasures of nought.
Judgment will come and time will be spent:
Then what shall become of the treasures it sought?

Daily Declaration

"Sing unto the Lord, bless His name; show forth His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the heathen, His wonders among all people" (Psalm 96:2,3).

Sing to the Lord and bless Jesus' name,
Declaring His wonders among every nation:
How He endured the cross and the shame
For the joy He foresaw in our glorious salvation!

Meeting your Maker

"Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your heart" (Psalm 95:7-10). "Prepare to meet thy God... For, lo, He that formeth the mountains, and createth the wind... declareth unto man what is his thought" (Amos 4:12,13).

The hearts of men are all exposed
Before our Maker's throne.
Our hidden thoughts have been disclosed,
And our deceit is known.

So hear His voice, and harden not
Your heart by vain deceit!
He who declares to man his thought
Is God, whom you must meet.

Sinner, hear what God declares:
Christ Jesus is the Way!
Cast on Him your sin and cares,
And come to Him today!

Listen to the Lion

"The lion hath roared, who will not fear? The Lord God hath spoken, who can but prophesy?" (Amos 3:8). "Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed" (Revelation 5:5).

The lion has roared; then who will not fear?
Who would not heed it if they were so warned?
The Lord God has spoken; who will not hear?
Yet many won't read it; God's Word is so scorned!

Yet Jesus prevailed, when He came to the earth,
Bringing salvation by the blood of His cross.
In heaven He's hailed for His power and worth;
In hell, lamentation for their infinite loss.

Not Wowed by Noisy 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). "Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord, and against His Anointed.... He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh" (Psalm 2:1-4).

The floods of rebel voices cry
That earnestly have vowed
To fight against our Lord on high;
God laughs and is not wowed.

Door of Decision

"These things saith He that is holy, He that is true, He that hath the key of David, He that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth... I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it" (Revelation 3:7,8).

The door of opportunity
Is opened to us wide.
Jesus Christ now holds the key,
And calls us to decide.

We have a little strength today,
A little time to act.
Let's decide to do and say
What we would not retract.

Latter Love

"Because he hath set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him" (Psalm 91:14). "Thou hast left thy first love" (Revelation 2:4).

How can it be that latter love
Should not be more than first?
What is my foolish heart made of
That makes the latter worst?

Revive that first love memory
When You satisfied my thirst!
Then cause the latter love in me
To be greater than the first.

God's Work in a Good Word

"To the counselors of peace is joy.... Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad" (Proverbs 12:20,25).

There is a heaviness of heart
That God would have us lift.
A good word that we may impart
In wisdom is God's gift.

Counselors of peace, arise!
Don't wait until tomorrow.
Speak with comfort true and wise
Today to those in sorrow.

Laud for the Lord

"Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood... be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen" (Revelation 1:5,6).

To Jesus Christ our gracious Lord
Who loved us to the end,
Who washed us with His blood outpoured,
Who is our dearest Friend,
Be glory and dominion now
And through eternity;
And I will tell the story how
He saved a wretch like me.

Larger Love

"Love covereth all sins" (Proverbs 10:12). "Keep yourselves in the love of God" (Jude 21).

Keep yourself in perfect love
That's larger than your own.
This is passion from above;
It comes from God alone.

No greater love this world sees
Than dying for its friends.
But Jesus died for enemies,
And His love never ends.

Idiocy of Idolatry

"What have I to do anymore with idols? I have heard Him, and observed Him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is Thy fruit found" (Hosea 14:9). "I am the Vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing" (John 15:5). "Little children, keep yourselves from idols" (1 John 5:21).

Why should I have more to do
With idols of distraction?
I've heard my Savior's voice so true;
I've seen my Lord in action.

What idiocy turns my glance
From Christ where joys abound?
Lord, You're the Vine; I am Your branch:
From me is Your fruit found.

Look or Lose

"Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward" (2 John 8).

Look to yourself or you may well lose
The blessing that God is intending.
If Christ is not first in the things that you choose,
Your choices are not worth defending.

Revival Revealed

"Wilt Thou not revive us again: that Thy people may rejoice in Thee?.... I will hear what God the Lord will speak... Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other" (Psalm 85:6,8,10).

So that Your people may rejoice,
Revive us, Lord, again today!
And we will listen to Your voice
To hear what God the Lord will say.

Now show us, Lord, what we have missed:
How mercy met with truth in Christ;
How peace and righteousness have kissed
Because our Lord was sacrificed.

Seek and Sow

"Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till He come and rain righteousness upon you" (Hosea 10:12). "The rain also filleth the pools" (Psalm 84:6). "Your labor is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:58).

It is time to seek the Lord and pray
With hands upon the plow.
Break up your fallow ground today;
The time to sow is now.

Sow the seeds of righteousness.
Your labor won't be vain,
For God has promised He will bless
And send refreshing rain.

Grace to be Greater

"Many false prophets are gone out into the world... Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world" (1 John 4:1,4).

Greater is He that's in you
Than he that is in the world.
Greater is God's point of view
Than lies that false prophets have hurled.

It's not because we are so bright
That we've overcome Satan's lies,
But rather that God gives us light
By grace to beware and be wise.

Dangers in Darkness

"They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness" (Psalm 82:5). "The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble" (Proverbs 4:19).

Dangers are lurking in darkness each day;
Still there are those who will walk on that path.
They know not the dangers attending that way;
They will not pay heed to God's warning of wrath.

And so they walk onward without understanding
As dangers in darkness are simply ignored,
Till one day they find themselves fearfully standing,
Too late for salvation, before Christ the Lord.

There are dangers in darkness! O sinner, beware!
You're stumbling over the Chief Corner Stone!
If you will not repent toward God in your prayer,
Be sure you will stand at His Great Judgment Throne.

Lose the Lust

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world... For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof" (1 John 2:15-17).

Love not the world, God's Word has said,
For the lust of it passes and shall not abide.
O how much better to love Christ instead,
Losing the worldly lust and its pride!

Lord of Light

"Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts, cause Thy face to shine; and we shall be saved" (Psalm 80:19). "God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.... If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin" (1 John 1:5,7).

Turn us again, O Lord, to You.
Let us reflect the light of Your face.
You are the Source of all that is true.
Shine and we shall be saved by Your grace.

You are the Sun, Lord; we're like moon.
Truly we have no light of our own.
In light of the prospect that You'll return soon,
Let us reflect and make Your way known.

Grow in Grace

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge" (Proverbs 1:7). "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever. Amen" (2 Peter 3:18).

Two-thousand and six is finally here,
And the best that this year can afford
Is to grow in God's grace and His holy fear
And the knowledge of Jesus our Lord.

The knowledge of Christ that is coupled with grace
Is a treasure of unequaled worth.
So let us continue to seek our Lord's face,
And declare His salvation on earth.