Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Thanksgiving

Let us give thanks unto our God, let us praise His name.
For His provisions are many, His leading we will acclaim.
We live in a land of plenty while others around this world
Are scarred, bereft of home, where mortar shells are hurled.
Are cold and hungry, bereft and wanting basic life needs.
We bow our heads in thankfulness acknowledging our greed's.

Great abundance we have, enough to open our hands and share
With those who live in hunger, Lord, cause us to deeply care.
Food on our plates, clothing on our backs, a land that is free.
We praise Thee Oh God for what Thou has bestowed we see.
We ask You to open our eyes to those around who are in need.
To live our lives with open hearts and minds and to accede
To Thy divine plan, to give of our abundance to those in need.


  • Colossians 3:15 ~ And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
  • Psalm 72:12,13 ~ For He shall deliver the needy when he crieth: the poor also, and him that hath no helper. He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall saves the souls of the needy.
  • Psalm 102:17 ~ He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.
  • PROVERBS 15:6 ~ In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
  • Proverbs 22:4 ~ By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour and life.”
  • TO HIM THAT HATH MUCH, MUCH SHALL BE ASKED. WE ARE NOT TO FORGET THE TROUBLES OF THE AFFLICTED AND THE POOR. GOD WILL CALL US INTO ACCOUNT FOR THE HUNGRY OF THE LANDS.      SELAH

Thursday, November 10, 2016

Faith

Faith is believing that the impossible will occur, God often outdoes.
Faith is what people conceive will never happen, but it so often does.
Faith is stepping out into a darkened room believing there is a floor.
Faith is trusting God knows what is best for us now and forevermore.
Faith is believing that God always hears us and we simply need to rest.
Faith is believing some answers are “No”, and they too are always best.
Faith is learning to lean, to believe in the unseen, waiting for the answer.
Faith is knowing we have been given the Spirit as our great intercessor.
Faith is waiting, not questioning, believing and trusting they will come.
Faith is praying remembering the sacrifice; God gave us in His Son.

Faith is what we do not see but its very existence is this trust in God.
Faith says we do not have to listen when others mock and call us odd.
Faith is our firm foundation under all that makes this life worth living.
Faith is our grasp on what we can’t see, it is what urges us in giving.
Faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.
Faith is visualizing eternity, our great hope knowing we’re allowed
Faith is a living force that we can draw upon, for we have just begun
Faith is applying the principle of leaning, believing in God’s Son.
Faith is lying down at night, and living in faith that we will live on
Faith is getting up in the morning knowing  God has barely begun.

  • Galatians 2: 20 ~ I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
  • Galatians 2:16 ~ We have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.
  • Isaiah 7:9 ~ If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.
  • Matthew 21:21 ~ Jesus replied, ‘I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive, whatever you ask for in prayer.
  • Thought ~ The more we express our faith the more our faith cup fills up. If faith is the substance of things hoped for, then faith is a living thing.

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

The Me That You See

Old Man Thinking
Father, You look inside my heart, and what do You see?
A crippled version of what everyone else sees in me?
There are two sides to all of us, the one we want to be,
The one displayed to everyone, but You know the real me,
Insecurities, fretting, and envy, the one I want to hide.
I confess them to You, but I desire Your Spirit to reside
In my heart and deliver me from all these imperfections.
Satan haunts the Christ-like me, with carnal predilections.

Seeing Things God's Way
What amazes me, is that you see me as perfect in Christ,
Free from sin, for Jesus shed his blood and paid the price.
I so desire to be Your disciple, to follow in Your way!
It is needful for me to know Your word in all I do and say.
If only I could be an empty shell and You could fill me up
With Your loving Spirit of kindness, just like a waiting cup.
Then I could pouf out to others and know it was not me.,
But my loving Father who redeemed me and set me free.

God's Work In Me
Your love comes with no conditions and no recrimination.
My heart overflows with love, You do not discriminate.
Your acceptance of the real me, not the me that others see.
The one with scars and flaws, but the one You accept as me!
Grace is so amazing, the “ unmerited” favour You give.
Such an all-encompassing word; it encourages me to live
Ever close to Your living Word, truly you are my all in all!
You give me grace, and I know I am forgiven even when I fall.
THANK YOU LORD!
                                                                   
  • I John 5:4 - 5 ~ For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world .... our faith.  Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
  • Philippians 1:6 ~ Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
  • 2 Peter 1:10 ~ Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble.
  • Romans 8:6 - 8 ~ 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, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
  • Psalm 37: 23 - 24 ~ The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way,. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholds him with His hand.
  • Psalm 32:8 ~ I will instruct you and teach you in the ay you should go: I will guide you with My eye.

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Thanksgiving

Let us give thanks unto our God, let us praise His name.
For His provisions are many, His leading we will acclaim.
We live in a land of plenty while others around this world
Are scarred, bereft of home, where mortar shells are hurled.
Are cold and hungry, bereft and wanting basic life needs.
We bow our heads in thankfulness acknowledging our greed's.

Great abundance we have, enough to open our hands and share
With those who live in hunger, Lord, cause us to deeply care.
Food on our plates, clothing on our backs, a land that is free.
We praise Thee Oh God for what Thou has bestowed we see.
We ask You to open our eyes to those around who are in need.
To live our lives with open hearts and minds and to accede
To Thy divine plan, to give of our abundance to those in need.

  • Colossians 3:15 ~ And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
  • Psalm 72:12, 13 ~ For He shall deliver the needy when he crieth: the poor also, and him that hath no helper. He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall saves the souls of the needy.
  • Psalm 102:17 ~ He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.
  • PROVERBS 15:6 ~ In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
  • Proverbs 22:4 ~ By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour and life.
  • TO HIM THAT HATH MUCH, MUCH SHALL BE ASKED. WE ARE NOT TO FORGET THE TROUBLES OF THE AFFLICTED AND THE POOR. GOD WILL CALL US INTO ACCOUNT FOR THE HUNGRY OF THE LANDS.      SELAH

Monday, September 19, 2016

Thoughts

Thoughts often pop into our minds and come and go, 
But those of God’s Spirit often stay, you should know.
You remember them well, and it is often easy to tell, 
To differentiate passing thoughts of numerous kinds.

Those of other people’s needs, that stay in our minds.
That is the way thoughts of you have so often been, 
Stubborn, prayer-thoughts, the ones that always seem 
To be about others hurts, urging and very persistent.
They come at the most unusual times and are very resistant 

To your ignoring them and neglecting to follow through.
And quieter they will become, if you do not react too.
The Holy Spirit sends those with a listening responsive ear, 
Those who are ready to reach out, to go and offer cheer, 

Be it a word or prayer, even sustenance, they are there, 
Ready to respond to God’s call, willing to answer a prayer.
You knock at a door, not knowing someone was in despair.

The Spirit gives boldness so that you can be ready to share 
Such joy you will feel when you know it was exactly right.
If the Spirit can count on you, the more you have His sight.
For He sees the inner man, his cares and hurts; He has a plan.

To call upon His Encouragers, one of His Saints that can 
Be available and ready, boldly giving heed to His call.
“Here am I Lord, send me”, for such words were so said 
In the word of God long ago, and like risen from the dead.

They are as needful today for us to be ready and willing 
Whether to pray, or to go, there is nothing more fulfilling.
The Spirit has control of our thought life; He has our heart.
If we love Him and really listen, He will never depart.
Be accountable, be humble and obedient, such a great start 
To the Spirit Filled life that gives others thoughts to impart.


Matthew 15:19 ~ “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man unclean.”
Proverbs 14:15 ~ “A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.” BUT READ Hebrews 4:12 ~ “The word of God is living and active. It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart”!

1 Corinthians 2:11 ~ “For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.”

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

You Bring Me Joy

Jesus you are the light shining in my life, the sum of my being.
When I start my day out with You, I know what I am seeing.
Your Spirit shines a light, speaking to me on what I need to do.
Knowing You’re directing my way, I can surrender all to You.
The worries will not accumulate if I pray them on to Thee,
And I can rest in the knowledge that because of You I am free,
To be that person that You always desired for  me to be.

Such a sweet release I have, such joy fills my very soul !
There is a new way of thinking since You made me whole.
What took me so long to begin to see the “Grace Way” ?
I kept sliding back into works, yet You never made me pay
For each infraction that began to teach me how to pray.
“Forgive me Lord, Your ready acceptance of my stubborn will
Has made me love you even more, Your words echo in me still.”

Every new day I am expectant for what You have in store.
With Your Spirit’s leading, and my prayers interceding more,
I can truly say that when I sing Your songs or read Your word
My heart soars, and I feel my hands raise up, not to be heard,
Lifting joyful hands to You in sweet surrender for all You’ve done.
In the sacrificial free gift of grace of Your only begotten Son.
The joy is unspeakable and it is full of glory, so painfully won.
THE HALF HAS NEVER YET BEEN TOLD ! 
                                                                                
  • John 15:11 ~ “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”
  • Psalm 33:21 ~ “For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name.”
  • Isaiah 51:10 ~ “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, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.”
  • Psalm 64:10 ~ “The righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and shall trust in Him; and all the upright in heart shall glory>”
  • Isaiah 55:12 ~ “For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.”
  • Psalm 126:5,6 ~ “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.”
  • Habakkuk 3:18 ~ “Yet, I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”
  • 1 Peter 1:8 ~ “Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.”
  • Psalm 89: 15, 16 ~ “Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of Thy countenance. In Thy name shall they rejoice all the day; and in Thy righteousness shall they be exalted.”

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Seeking God

When you seek to know God you are seeking with all your heart.
That means searching Him, but He is not lost, it is you that is apart.
For you to know God, fasting, if done with the right intention.
It does not mean verbalizing it, better that you not even mention.

Seeking the Lord means you want to literally be in His presence.
The Hebrew word “to seek” means “His Face, His very essence."
God is omnipresent, everywhere, near everything and everyone.
A conscious fixing or focusing of our mind’s attention on Him.

It is not mental coasting, it is a conscious choice to start, to begin
Directing your heart and mind towards God, set a personal goal.
It is a deliberate choice, like choosing life, giving God control,
But at the same time staying away from questionable places,
Unhealthy attractions; would you take Jesus to some pub places?
If you cannot take the Lord, look upon His face, how will you grow?                                                                                                 

Matthew 6:33 ~ “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you/.
Jeremiah 29:13 ~ “You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart"

Thursday, August 4, 2016

Being Bold

Are we bold enough to tell our neighbours what Christ means to us?
They cannot laugh at us or malign our faith, and we have a big plus.
What do we fear, we talk about our experience if we are sincere.
The Spirit is a plus, we are not threatening, or making a big fuss.
It is what we believe, sharing our faith; what He has done for us.
We are not forcing them, pressuring, or putting them on the spot.
We want to tell them Christ is real, this is not about us, it is Him!
“ Born Again” may be an anathema word; it is deliverance from sin.

Think of how the missionaries must feel, going to a foreign land..
They go with the Spirit, and a language they may not understand.
They have a drive in them “to go” a need that others might know 
Their Saviour personally, and then they teach the how to grow 
In the knowledge of the Saviour which can be a great challenge,
Many already know that Jesus died to make the great exchange.
For often the God’s of that country will be added to the Saviour, 
Aren’t numerous God’s better? and so often they feel a failure.

They work and pray so hard, and ask for our prayers to go too.
For if we have one neighbour here, how many do we rescue?
Missionaries may work for years, then, just as soon as they leave 
The Nationals go back to the old ways, unless they all receive 
Ongoing teaching and really get to know GOD’S face and word.
It is the glue that holds them together in a world that is unstirred 
By the Spirit of God, and when people do not continue to pray 
Without ceasing, here, where things are more clear, and can say

Without fear that a kernel of corn with faith can grow into a field 
But here too we need to pray for another great revival of souls,
Time is short, and there are millions unreached, and our goals?
Is it the Western World that needs the revival, a wake up call?
For the fields are ripe unto harvest, the harvesters are too few.
God will reap His kingdom with or without us, how about you?
The blood that was shed by Christ is not just a historical event.

It happened 2,000 years ago and the cross is why He was sent.

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Too Close to the Edge

Summer sun, barely begun, new warmth will reveal
And bright smiles everywhere; such joy we all feel.
Alas, we abide too long in the sun and we all burn.
And again and again our faces and bodies we turn
To that hot sun until we peel, wrinkle, and are sore.
Then it is too late, doctors say don’t tan any more!
Just like our life this example can be of use to us all.
God tells us to avoid danger or we will surely fall.
DANGER! ~ TOO CLOSE TO THE EDGE!

Sometimes we venture so close to the edge of sin,
We don’t want to sin, but still venture a little way in.
When the Spirit talks about danger don’t even begin
To succumb to the danger signs that cause us to sin.
We play with fire until just one spark starts to ignite
Clothing leaps aflame, our bodies, a horrendous sight!
We thought we knew, but did not heed the warning.
Playing with fire is like ignoring the Spirit’s calling
DANGER! ~ TOO CLOSE TO THE EDGE!

We go where we would never go with the Lord..
It’s a gambling den that we know we cannot afford.
And the police come, and shame is what we feel.
The person that brought us encourages us to steal.
We have stepped over the edge, what will you do?
You’re so ashamed, how did this ever happen to you?
You saw warning signs, ignoring  them, you went in.
You have submitted to Satan’s ploy, that of his sin.
DANGER! ~ TOO CLOSE TO THE EDGE!

Hebrews 12:28 ~ Since we have a kingdom nothing an destroy, let us please God by serving Him with thankful hearts, and with holy fear, and awe. For our God is a consuming fire.

Hebrews 12:3- 8 ~ And have you quite forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you, His child? He said, “My son, don’t be angry when the Lord punishes you. Don’t be discouraged when He has to show you where you are wrong. For when He punishes you, it proves that He loves you. When He
whips you, it proves you are really His child.. Let God train you, for He is doing what any loving father does for his children. Whoever heard of a son who was never corrected?  If God doesn’t punish you when you need it, as other fathers punish their sons, then it means that you aren’t really God’s son at all - that you don’t belong in His family.

I Timothy 6:1l ~ Oh Timothy, you are God’s man. Run from all these evil things and work instead at what is right and good, learning to trust Him and love others, and to be patient and gentle.

2 Timothy 2:22 ~ Run from anything that gives you the evil thoughts that young men often have but stay close to anything that makes you want to do right. Have faith and love, and enjoy the companionship of those who love the Lord and have pure hearts.

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Listening to the Spirit

Be careful if you ignore the Holy Spirit, if you feel He is talking to you.
For soon His voice becomes quieter, He no longer calls upon you to do
Christ’s work in sharing His love to others in this world, those in need.
Obedience to His voice should be sowing His life transforming seed.
I will tell you a secret, it is not difficult, nor is it really like working,
He who is not eager to shed salvation’s good news is really shirking.
It is not a job, nor a way to earn brownie points, or secret ways to pray.
It did not get you into heaven, Christ’s death and resurrection is the way.
Salvation is offered for all who confess their sins and truly believe,
All you need to do is accept His promise by faith in order to receive.
Immediately the Spirit enters into your heart and He never does depart,
You may lose your way for a while, but confess and make a new start.

The Spirit does not bounce in and out of your life if your prayer was real.
That is a covenant between you and God, and the Holy Spirit is His seal.
You may not feel differently right away, but feelings are not God’s way.
Feelings change just like the weather, but if you meant what you did pray,
Some days you are quite overcome by the price paid by God’s only Son,
But by faith in God’s word, life walking in the Spirit has just begun.
You will be hungry for His word, and the Spirit is eager to be heard.
The more obedient you become, the easier scriptures come to mind.
There will be things you don’t know or even understand you will find.
Rely on what you know, stand on His promises don’t try to outguess God.
Don’t fret small things, we will find out all when we finally go home.
Now, listen, pray, listen again,, live by faith and trust in God’s word alone.

I John 34:24 ~ “Those who obey His commands live in Him, and He in them. And this is how we know that He lives in us: We know it by the Spirit He gave us.”
I John 4:1 - 3 ~ “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in this world.”
I Timothy 1:7 ~ “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of a self-discipline.”
John 14:8 ~ “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” “But the Comforter (parakletos) which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name.”
1 John 2:1 ~ “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin; we have an ADVOCATE (parakletos) with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”
PARAKLETOS: MEANS: an intercessor, consoler, advocate, comforter
John 16:7 ~ “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I WILL SEND HIM UNTO YOU.

Colossians 2:8 ~ “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.” {Christ left us with another form of himself to live in our minds.”

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

The Glorious Revelation

God is here; He is there; He is everywhere; He abides!
God’s Son left us the Holy Spirit which dwells inside.
So we know if we pray, and ask, He will be our guide.
It is not rocket science to know we hear His voice,
If we spend time in God’s word, we have a choice.
When we pray for help, He will work deep in our minds,
And lead, and promises from His word suddenly we find
We remember the scripture and can look up the address.
What joy that is, the Spirit speaking to us is such success!
As it is withe our prayer needs, the Spirit will intercede.
In our prayers with a name or need and we will succeed
In the act of intercessions, that is one on one accession!
God gives others names before they even ask for prayer.
What greater joy can there be than to always be there,

Ready, waiting for a word from God, and then we find
The Spirit was correct, Wow!, He is the mastermind !
This is not about us, or our doing, He merely used you
As a transport of His answer, before they even asked too.
What a building up of your faith this is, nothing by you
But simple obedience and prayer in all you say and do.
But, be very  careful of hidden dangers of the carnal self,
Ensure confession is done, that you have cleared the shelf.
That ceiling that closes off our prayers, for didn’t God say
That our unconfessed sins will hinder us when we pray?
Our connection with the Lord is His Spirit, which abides
Forever with the Christian, leading, speaking, and resides
What a glorious revelation this can be to each daily prayer,
To think that every time we pray, God is always there!


QUOTE: “Many people are fearful of the Holy Spirit thinking that He is going to make them do something that is not “Them” like dancing around the church or shouting out loud. The Holy Spirit does not offend. He is our guide. He is not perverse and promises to lead us in all things. We need to make use of this wonderful part of God that Jesus left us with.”

2 Corinthians 1:22 ~ “He anointed us, set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”
1 John 3:24 ~ “Those who obey His commands live in Him and He in them. And this is how we know that He lives in us. We know it by the Spirit He gave us.”

1 John 4:1 “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.”

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

The Kudzu Vine Parable

Allow me to tell you of the story of the creeping Kudzu Vine
Its rampant growth can topple a house just like yours or mine.
This fastest growing vines; climbs in windows and under floors
Even been known to completely cover a path, and under doors.
Oh like sin it is, stealthy and quiet when it grabs a weaker vessel.
The vulnerable part of us, the seeking one that we often wrestle,
So swiftly travels the roots of sin into the weakest part of you..
They say, if you are quiet, you can almost hear it growing too!

The Kudzu vine is a major factor in our surface ozone production.
Like enticing creeping vines, it now comes with a new seduction.
The crushing of the Kudzu leaves showed up as a placebo for alcohol.
We have to weigh its swiftly creeping death against alcohol protocol.
Delivering alcoholics from the devastating results of this disease
But the damage the vine is doing to the ozone layer, do we appease?
Do what is best for the environment by eradicating the Kudzu Vine,
Or crushing its leaves to save someone’s life, throw them a towline?
                           
Choices we make in our lives can either take over and be our nemesis,
Or they can be the catalyst that sets us afire to be used in God’s service.
Struggle with decisions about the creeping Kudzu vine, another analogy
Whether to totally wipe it out, preventing damage to the ozone pathology,
Or saving it as forage and a cure for alcoholics, are you a “nay-sayer” ?
Someone who says “No” to helping an illness like alcohol, a gainsayer.
Is it a struggle between good and evil, can we can possibly circumvent
By avoiding and ignoring life’s big decisions, Satan’s angels are sent.
                                        
A GAINSAYER:   Someone who is against or contradicts,
Thought: If we fill our hearts and minds with scriptures and use them in contemplative or mediating times to think on new parables or allegories in our lives today that can relate to our Christian walk, and draw us closer to Him, then we have so little space left for Satan to find a “chink” in our armour to sneak in and wreak his own havoc in our minds and lives. Beware of “sneaky sins”.

Matthew 13:34 & 35 ~ “Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; He did not say anything to them without using a parable. So it was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: “I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.” Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”

2 Corinthians 11:13 ~ “And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then it his servants masquerading as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.”

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

The Bitter Root

THE BITTER ROOT
Let me share with you the story of the Albizia Tree;
The fastest growing tree in the world.

Jesus used parables to teach people, so similar to analogies.
Read this story of the Albizia tree, be amazed at its ecology.
Grows primarily in Malasia, used for many things, has amazing etiology.
The Guinness Book of Records says “fastest growing tree in the world”.
Its root system is deep, wide and invasive, compared to an underworld.
When you plant by seed you water it well ...  Water for five long years!
Somewhere in its fifth year, a small strong above-ground sprout appears.
It will reach a metre, three feet, in height within that first growing year.
Those first five years it is slowly developing its strong deadly root system.
You can but imagine how far that it travels, in that amazing subsystem!
Its bark is poisonous, very hard and very thick; it would make you sick.
Imagine, five years before you even see that small, hard, poisonous stick!
Deep underground it is working hard to create its strong foundation.
It could tip your house, go through a roof, or unearth a railroad station.
It reminds me of the stealth of sin, especially the sin of unforgiveness.
We often compare it to a deadly cancer because of its aggressiveness.
But the sin of unforgiveness spreads its tentacles within our hearts.
Builds up, and then, with that smallest sprout goes “poof” and starts

A volcano of black roiling lava from your mouth begins to spout
Angry, spiteful words, unforgiveness, bitterness  hate and doubt.
All Satan’s lies, deception, the evil bitter root begins to spew out.
If we would recognize what Satan’s lies within our minds can do.
He wants to weaken and destroy our faith, and even kill us too.
As Christians we must wake up to the havoc of unforgiven sin
That can dwell and grow inside us until we allow Christ to begin
To shine and enter every room of our hearts and minds within.
Begin to sweep every corner, shining His light upon every sin.
It starts out small, just like that seed, and burrows deep within,
Until you ask God’s Spirit in your heart to forgive and deliver you
From Satan’s bitter roots, and asking the Spirit to begin anew.
Destroying the root of years of unforgiveness, and resentment too.
All of Satan’s lies and wiles that have built up over years and years.
The Holy Spirit, Our Guide and Helper, redeems or commandeers
God’s child who ignored the planted seed and destroys that bitter root.
And reclaims that child of God so that he can bear much fruit.
AMEN
                                                                                              
Additionally: 
Albizia’s seedpods are light and travel on gusts of air. Once they land, seedpods can lay dormant in the earth until they are ready to sprout. So when the trees are removed, they are not gone. I would suspect that there is probably a substantial seed bank waiting to germinate and come back.

Crews cut or drill holes into the bark and drip a concentrated herbicide, killing the tree from the inside without affecting the surrounding foliage”.: 

MATTHEW 6:15 “But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive you.”

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Removing Boulders

During my life I have struggled in vain,
Trying to remove obstacles, but it was plain
Removing boulders was too difficult for me.
Perfection in my daily walk, don’t you see?
It was never God’s intention do it alone.
In fact difficulties multiplied like seeds sown.
I know He had constantly assured the “ME”
Some of the boulders He could readily see
Were not even intended or helpful in my life,
They were causing me such needless strife.
I  tried in vain rocky mountains to climb.
Feeling such problems were obviously mine.
I wept at my inadequacy, as others pressed on.
Searching for answers, I sought God’s Son
If only I had swift wings, I silently prayed
I could soar over difficulties undismayed.
“But you have feet”, God’s answer came.
“If you want to scale mountains to proclaim
My promises that I sent you in Jesus’ name.

Some ledges are really not meant to climb.
Boulders are hard, they are unable to bring
People good news of My love in everything,
I placed My Spirit as a guide to go before you,
Be prepared, pray before everything you do.
Rocky promontories are there further ahead.
Look up and pray, scale the heights,” He said
Those obstacles that I struggled to overcome
Became less of a burden in light of God’s Son.
The ones I had tried to shove out of my way
Were stones to climb upon, I heard Him say.
Not to cause me to stumble but to set me free.
Worries and troubles that so easily entangle me
While, You, Lord, intended them to help my walk,
By Your Spirit given grace to reach out and talk.
Boulders are burdens that should be given to You,
Boulders are worries, I should give to You too!
                                                                                           
2 Corinthians 10:4 & 5 ~ “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ,”
James 3:2 ~ “We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.”

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

My Thoughts of Calvary

When I think of Golgotha’s Hill I think of Christ’s Pain.
The fear that the Disciples had, “Will we see Jesus again?”
When I think of the cross I think of the hammer and nails.
The pounding into the flesh, into the feet and hands it impales.

I feel for Christ’s followers, wanting Jesus to come down,
To call His angels, to reap vengeance, “Please climb down!”
Thoughts of calling upon His angels to reap vengeance, chaos.
This was their Redeemer, and this was His end, the cruel cross!

I think of those hardened soldiers, drinking, mocking Jesus,
“If you are the Son of God come down, jeering, so grievous!
I am angry at the soldiers who cast lots over Jesus’ garments.
Torn, bloodied, raiment's that spoke of beatings, stench of sweat
I picture those garments, soaked from sweat, such a cold mind-set!

To roll dice while someone up above suffers, breathing laboured.
That memory stays with me, He was chosen, but not favoured.
He suffered alone, yet said nothing, the stretching to gain air.
So great a cost, I shudder at that final indignity, it was so unfair.

That final indignity,“It is finished”, yet for us He willingly died!
Such a small sentence said it all, for all heard, His voice cried
And though dead they still plunged that sword into His side
The blood and water that seeped out, showed a broken heart.
Through the ages, for the “unknown us”, His love He did impart.

Imagine his mother and followers, weeping, taking His body down.
Weary and depressed, they removed that mocking painful crown.
Too tired to prepare the body properly they wrapped up His body,
The final preparations waited, for this was the Jewish Sabbath.
Their hearts and eyes were closed to this man from Nazareth!

How helpless they felt when that stone was rolled into place!
No-one could move it, for the laying out, they could not efface
The Roman seal, so scared of the prophesy, on threat of death
Guards stood by all night, but someone slept or did not stay,
Early the next morning the women came, the stone rolled away! 
                                            
John 19::35 ~ “The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: Not one of his bones will be broken, and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.”


Luke 23: 44 49 ~ “It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining, . And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” When he had said this, he breathed his last. The centurion seeing what had happened, praised God and said, Surely this was a righteous man. When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.”  

SEE: Zechariah  2:10~  

I was There in Gethsemane

Very early that first morning, while Jerusalem was still asleep,
We went to the garden to prepare Christ’s body, unable to sleep.
It was needful for us to prepare Christ’s body, this was our plan.
To lovingly clean His wounds, repair the ravages of cruel man.
We worried about that big stone, how would we roll it away.
To our surprise, the guards were gone, could they have run away?
Such fear we had, would we be judged, there was no possible way
It would take a mighty garrison of men to roll that stone away!
Fearfully we crept to the tomb, peered in, the body was not there!
Thoughts pervaded our minds, who had taken Jesus’ body away!
The body cloths lay folded, as if Jesus had just left that very day!
Two men in white garments, amazed, we knelt and began to pray.
They asked why we stood there, seeking the living among the dead.
They gave us this challenge, to go and tell His disciples instead.

We ran into the garden, excited, hopeful, so eager to tell the others.
Out of breath, we were scarcely able to tell the disbelieving men.
“Jesus has risen, His body is gone, the third day, just like He said!
He told us, yet such unbelief we had, He has risen from the dead!”
So many did not believe us, but Peter “Straightway ran to the tomb”.
He saw the linen strips, no body there, yet he was full of gloom.
He feared the uproar, the blame that would be heaped upon us.
Once the soldiers came back, surely they would create a fuss!
Peter saw and yet wondered, what would the others begin to say?
Would they think that we women could roll that stone away?
We hoped the soldiers would relent and help us move the stone
We knew it was our job to prepare Jesus’ body, do it on our own!
Oh how we wanted to tell everyone, and have them too believe,
That Jesus had risen from the dead, we had to tell, they to receive!

THE BODY WAS NOT THERE, HE HAD RISEN FROM THE DEAD!
JUST AS HE HAD PROMISED, JUST LIKE HE HAD ALWAYS SAID.
ALIVE, WE QUICKLY TOLD THE OTHERS, HE PAID THE PRICE!
HE BORE OUR SINS ON THAT TREE, THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE!
AMEN !

Luke 24:45 ~ “Then He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in His name to all nations beginning at Jerusalem, You are witnesses of these things.”