Psalm 119 part 14
Benefit of afflictions, and support under them.
ver. 153,81,82
Consider all my sorrows, Lord,
And thy deliv'rance send;
My soul for thy salvation faints
When will my troubles end?
ver. 71
Yet I have found 'tis good for me
To bear my Father's rod;
Afflictions make me learn thy law,
And live upon my God.
ver. 50
This is the comfort I enjoy
When new distress begins-
I read thy word, I run thy way,
And hate my former sins.
ver. 92
Had not thy word been my delight
When earthly joys were fled,
My soul, oppressed with sorrow's weight
Had sunk amongst the dead.
ver. 75
I know thy judgments, Lord, are right,
Though they may seem severe;
The sharpest suff'rings I endure
Flow from thy faithful care.
ver. 67
Before I knew thy chast'ning rod
My feet were apt to stray;
But now I learn to keep thy word,
Nor wander from thy way.
poem by Isaac Watts
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Related quotes
Psalm 119. last part
Sanctified afflictions; or, Delight in the word of God.
ver. 67,59
Father, I bless thy gentle hand;
How kind was thy chastising rod,
That forced my conscience to a stand,
And brought my wand'ring soul to God!
Foolish and vain, I went astray
Ere I had felt thy scourges, Lord;
I left my guide, and lost my way;
But now I love and keep thy word.
ver. 71
'Tis good for me to wear the yoke,
For pride is apt to rise and swell;
'Tis good to bear my Father's stroke,
That I might learn his statutes well.
ver. 72
The law that issues from thy mouth
Shall raise my cheerful passions more
Than all the treasures of the south,
Or western hills of golden ore.
ver. 73
Thy hands have made my mortal frame,
Thy Spirit formed my soul within;
Teach me to know thy wondrous name,
And guard me safe from death and sin.
ver. 74
Then all that love and fear the Lord
At my salvation shall rejoice;
For I have hoped in thy word,
And made thy grace my only choice.
poem by Isaac Watts
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Psalm 119 part 13
Holy fear, and tenderness of conscience.
ver. 10
With my whole heart I've sought thy face:
O let me never stray
From thy commands, O God of grace,
Nor tread the sinner's way.
ver. 11
Thy word I've hid within my heart
To keep my conscience clean,
And be an everlasting guard
From every rising sin.
ver. 63,53,158
I'm a companion of the saints
Who fear and love the Lord;
My sorrows rise, my nature faints,
When men transgress thy word.
ver. 161,163
While sinners do thy gospel wrong
My spirit stands in awe;
My soul abhors a lying tongue,
But loves thy righteous law.
ver. 161,120
My heart with sacred rev'rence hears
The threat'nings of thy word;
My flesh with holy trembling fears
The judgments of the Lord.
ver. 166,174
My God, I long, I hope, I wait,
For thy salvation still;
While thy whole law is my delight,
And I obey thy will.
poem by Isaac Watts
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Psalm 119 part 16
Prayer for quickening grace.
ver. 25,37
My soul lies cleaving to the dust;
Lord, give me life divine;
From vain desires and every lust
Turn off these eyes of mine.
I need the influence of thy grace
To speed me in thy way,
Lest I should loiter in my race,
Or turn my feet astray.
ver. 107
When sore afflictions press me down,
I need thy quick'ning powers;
Thy word that I have rested on
Shall help my heaviest hours.
ver. 156,40
Are not thy mercies sovereign still,
And thou a faithful God?
Wilt thou not grant me warmer zeal
To run the heav'nly road?
ver. 159,40
Does not my heart thy precepts love,
And long to see thy face?
And yet how slow my spirits move
Without enliv'ning grace!
ver. 93
Then shall I love thy gospel more,
And ne'er forget thy word,
When I have felt its quick'ning power,
To draw me near the Lord.
poem by Isaac Watts
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Today... 'The Word
Word of love and the Word made flesh
Word incarnate forever blessed
Word of life and the Word of light
Word of power and Word of might.
Word that was spoken, Word of the Lord
Word of the Law and the Word of God
Word of peace and Word eternal
Word of truth and last Word of all.
Word of wisdom and the Word of healing
Word from heaven, a Word so appealing
Word fulfilling the Word of prophecy
Word of the Spirit and Word of destiny.
Word of exhortation and Word of grace
Word of encouragement and Word of faith
Word of promise and a Word of insight
Word from the beginning and Word of delight.
Word of knowledge and a Word of boldness
Word of peace and the Word of righteousness
Word of the covenant and Word of love
Word of the Father from heaven above.
(see also the additional information in the Poet's notes box)
Hymn 165
Unfruitfulness, ignorance, and unsanctified affections.
Long have I sat beneath the sound
Of thy salvation, Lord;
But still how weak my faith is found,
And knowledge of thy word!
Oft I frequent thy holy place,
And hear almost in vain;
How small a portion of thy grace
My memory can retain!
[My dear Almighty, and my God,
How little art thou known
By all the judgments of thy rod,
And blessings of thy throne!]
How cold and feeble is my love!
How negligent my fear!
How low my hope of joys above!
How few affections there!
Great God! thy sovereign power impart
To give thy word success;
Write thy salvation in my heart,
And make me learn thy grace.
[Show my forgetful feet the way
That leads to joys on high;
There knowledge grows without decay,
And love shall never die.]
poem by Isaac Watts
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Psalm 19 part 2
God's word most excellent; or, Sincerity and watchfulness.
For a Lord's-day morning.
Behold, the morning sun
Begins his glorious way;
His beams through all the nations run,
And life and light convey.
But where the gospel comes
It spreads diviner light;
It calls dead sinners from their tombs,
And gives the blind their sight.
How perfect is thy word!
And all thy judgments just!
For ever sure thy promise, Lord,
And men securely trust.
My gracious God, how plain
Are thy directions giv'n!
O may I never read in vain,
But find the path to heav'n!
PAUSE.
I hear thy word with love,
And I would fain obey:
Send thy good Spirit from above
To guide me, lest I stray.
O who can ever find
The errors of his ways?
Yet with a bold, presumptuous mind
I would not dare transgress.
Warn me of every sin,
Forgive my secret faults,
And cleanse this guilty soul of mine,
Whose crimes exceed my thoughts.
While with my heart and tongue
I spread thy praise abroad,
Accept the worship and the song,
My Savior and my God.
poem by Isaac Watts
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Psalm 25 part 3
v.15-22
S. M.
Distress of soul; or, Backsliding and desertion.
Mine eyes and my desire
Are ever to the Lord;
I love to plead his promises,
And rest upon his word.
Turn, turn thee to my soul,
Bring thy salvation near;
When will thy hand release my feet
Out of the deadly snare?
When shall the sovereign grace
Of my forgiving God
Restore me from those dangerous ways
My wand'ring feet have trod?
The tumult of my thoughts
Doth but enlarge my woe;
My spirit languishes, my heart
Is desolate and low.
With ev'ry morning light
My sorrow new begins;
Look on my anguish and my pain,
And pardon all my sins.
PAUSE.
Behold the hosts of hell,
How cruel is their hate!
Against my life they rise, and join
Their fury with deceit.
O keep my soul from death,
Nor put my hope to shame,
For I have placed my only trust
In my Redeemer's name.
With humble faith I wait
To see thy face again:
Of Isr'el it shall ne'er be said,
He sought the Lord in vain.
poem by Isaac Watts
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Psalm 22 part 1
v.1-16
C. M.
The sufferings and death of Christ.
Why has my God my soul forsook,
Nor will a smile afford?
(Thus David once in anguish spoke,
And thus our dying Lord.)
Though 'tis thy chief delight to dwell
Among thy praising saints,
Yet thou canst hear a groan as well,
And pity our complaints.
Our fathers trusted in thy name,
And great deliv'rance found;
But I'm a worm, despised of men,
And trodden to the ground.
Shaking the head, they pass me by,
And laugh my soul to scorn;
"In vain he trusts in God," they cry,.
"Neglected and forlorn."
But thou art he who formed my flesh
By thine almighty word;
And since I hung upon the breast,
My hope is in the Lord.
Why will my Father hide his face,
When foes stand threat'ning round,
In the dark hour of deep distress,
And not a helper found?
PAUSE.
Behold thy darling left among
The cruel and the proud,
As bulls of Bashan, fierce and strong,
As lions roaring loud.
From earth and hell my sorrows meet
To multiply the smart;
They nail my hands, they pierce my feet,
And try to vex my heart.
Yet if thy sovereign hand let loose
The rage of earth and hell,
Why will my heav'nly Father bruise
The Son he loves so well?
My God, if possible it be,
Withhold this bitter cup
But I resign my will to thee,
And drink the sorrows up).
My heart dissolves with pangs unknown,
In groans I waste my breath;
Thy heavy hand has brought me down
Low as the dust of death.
Father, I give my spirit up,
And trust it in thy hand;
My dying flesh shall rest in hope,
And rise at thy command.
poem by Isaac Watts
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Psalm 119 part 17
Courage and perseverance under persecution.
ver. 143, 28
When pain and anguish seize me, Lord,
All my support is from thy word:
My soul dissolves for heaviness;
Uphold me with thy strength'ning grace.
ver. 51,69,110
The proud have framed their scoffs and lies,
They watch my feet with envious eyes,
And tempt my soul to snares and sin,
Yet thy commands I ne'er decline.
ver. 161,78
They hate me, Lord, without a cause,
They hate to see me love thy laws;
But I will trust and fear thy name,
Till pride and malice die with shame.
poem by Isaac Watts
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Psalm 119 part 9
Desire of knowledge; or, The teachings of the Spirit with the word.
ver. 64,68,18
Thy mercies fill the earth, O Lord;
How good thy works appear!
Open mine eyes to read thy word,
And see thy wonders there.
ver. 73,125
My heart was fashioned by thy hand;
My service is thy due:
O make thy servant understand
The duties he must do.
ver. 19
Since I'm a stranger here below,
Let not thy path be hid;
But mark the road my feet should go,
And be my constant guide
ver. 26
When I confessed my wand'ring ways,
Thou heard'st my soul complain;
Grant me the teachings of thy grace,
Or I shall stray again.
ver. 33,34
If God to me his statutes show,
And heav'nly truth impart,
His work for ever I'll pursue,
His law shall rule my heart.
ver. 50,71
This was my comfort when I bore
Variety of grief;
It made me learn thy word the more,
And fly to that relief.
ver. 51
[In vain the proud deride me now;
I'll ne'er forget thy law,
Nor let that blessed gospel go,
Whence all my hopes I draw.
ver. 27,171
When I have learned my Father's will,
I'll teach the world his ways;
My thankful lips, inspired with zeal,
Shall loud pronounce his praise.]
poem by Isaac Watts
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Psalm 51 part 1
A penitent pleading for pardon.
Show pity, Lord, O Lord, forgive,
Let a repenting rebel live:
Are not thy mercies large and free?
May not a sinner trust in thee?
My crimes are great, but not surpass
The power and glory of thy grace:
Great God, thy nature hath no bound,
So let thy pard'ning love be found.
O wash my soul from every sin,
And make my guilty conscience clean;
Here on my heart the burden lies,
And past offences pain my eyes.
My lips with shame my sins confess
Against thy law, against thy grace:
Lord, should thy judgment grow severe,
I am condemned, but thou art clear.
Should sudden vengeance seize my breath,
I must pronounce thee just in death;
And if my soul were sent to hell,
Thy righteous law approves it well.
Yet save a trembling sinner, Lord,
Whose hope, still hov'ring round thy word,
Would light on some sweet promise there,
Some sure support against despair.
poem by Isaac Watts
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God’s Word
Living out the Truths we’ve heard, comes in obeying God’s Holy Word,
As the Word of God dwells in us, when we live our life for Christ Jesus.
We can live our lives in Christ’s Love, as we focus on our Savior above,
In this world, to live our life higher, God’s Word needs to be our desire,
Through the Word of God’s Wisdom, we’re fit to serve in His Kingdom.
All men will wither to fall like grass, but, God’s Word shall forever last,
God’s Word will last forevermore, with Truth eternally certain and sure.
The Lord’s promises will fail never, as His Holy Word shall last forever,
The Word of God will empower, the life of believers each day and hour,
Power that’s been revealed by God, to guide us upon this earthly sod.
Only God’s Word can fill your soul, to make one’s life pure and whole,
God’s Holy Word can purify the lives, of every believer in Jesus Christ.
It is God’s Word that changes men, filling hearts and cleansing them,
With Living Water from the Lord, while blessing in our heart is poured,
To keep our life on this earth pure, from a source that’ll forever endure.
Following men we falter and fail, but, living God’s Word we will prevail,
To live for God’s Kingdom friend; a new life in Christ which has no end.
The Word of God is available to all, who’ve been freed from man’s fall,
For one to begin a New Life in Him, Christ, who saved us from our sin,
To live according to God’s Word, those eternal Truths that we’ve heard.
(Copyright ©08/2008)
Another of the same, paraphrased for an Antheme
Out of the horrour of the lowest Deep,
Where cares & endlesse fears their station keep,
To thee (O Lord) I send my woful cry:
O heare the accents of my misery.
If Thy enquiry (Lord) should be severe,
To mark all sins which have been acted here,
Who may abide? or, when they fisted are,
Stand un-condemned at Thy Judgments bar?
But there is mercy (O my God) with Thee,
That Thou by it may'st lou'd, and feared be.
My Soule waites for the Lord, in Him I trust,
Whose word is faithful, & whose promise just.
On him my longing thoughts are fixt, as they,
Who wait the cōforts of the rising day:
Yea more then those that watch the morning light
Tir'd with the sorrowes of a rest-less night.
O Israel, trust in that Gratious Lord,
Who plentifull remission doth afford;
And will His people, who past pardon seeme,
By mercyes greater then their sins redeeme.
poem by Henry King
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Psalm 38
Guilt of conscience and relief
Amidst thy wrath remember love,
Restore thy servant, Lord;
Nor let a Father's chast'ning prove
Like an avenger's sword.
Thine arrows stick within my heart,
My flesh is sorely pressed;
Between the sorrow and the smart,
My spirit finds no rest.
My sins a heavy load appear,
And o'er my head are gone;
Too heavy they for me to bear,
Too hard for me t' atone.
My thoughts are like a troubled sea,
My head still bending down;
And I go mourning all the day,
Beneath my Father's frown.
Lord, I am weak and broken sore,
None of my powers are whole:
The inward anguish makes me roar,
The anguish of my soul.
All my desire to thee is known,
Thine eye counts every tear;
And every sigh, and every groan,
Is noticed by thine ear.
Thou art my God, my only hope;
My God will hear my cry;
My God will bear my spirit up,
When Satan bids me die.
[My foot is ever apt to slide,
My foes rejoice to see 't;
They raise their pleasure and their pride
When they supplant my feet.
But I'll confess my guilt to thee,
And grieve for all my sin;
I'll mourn how weak my graces be,
And beg support divine.
My God, forgive my follies past,
And be for ever nigh;
O Lord of my salvation, haste,
Before thy servant die.]
poem by Isaac Watts
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Poem/Song: Just a Word, Lord
Just a word, Lord…
is what I desire today.
Often I devote quality time with Thee,
hoping to learn more of your Holy ways.
Just a word, Lord…
keeps me moving forward with You;
embrace me with Your Presence,
in everything that I say and do.
[CHORUS]
Just a word, Lord…
provides me with Everlasting Life.
Being focused on You,
reduces the noise of earthly strife.
Just a word, Lord…
completely captures my heart.
My longing for You flows as water,
that sates the thirsty hart.
[CHORUS]
Just a word, Lord…
brings me out of the wilderness.
Hear and answer my cries to be
clothed with Your Righteousness.
Just a word, Lord…
lifts and inspires my weary spirit.
Cover me with grace continually,
in anticipation of Your heavenly junket.
[CHORUS]
__________________ _______________________
[CHORUS]
Open the eyes of my understanding;
remove the spiritual blinders on me!
Always keep in my remembrance…
Your sacrifice on that accursed tree.
-------
Author Notes:
Loosely based on:
Ezekiel 7: 1-8,1 Kings 6: 11-13, Ezekiel 12: 1-2,26-28, John 6: 47, Galatians 6: 8
Learn more about me and my poetry at:
http: //www.squidoo.com/book-isbn-1419650513/
poem by Joseph James Breunig 3rd
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The Benefits Of His Presence
I will seek you with my whole heart
And learn to walk in your ways
I will seek you with my whole heart
And follow you all of my days
I love your word and your Spirit too
And I will praise you with all of my heart
Without you I would be forsaken and lost
I needed you right from the start
With my whole heart I cry to thee
Keep me close let us not be apart
Speak to me oh Spirit of God
Your Word is hidden in my heart
I rejoice in the Lord and in all of your ways
You have made the crooked paths straight
You lead me in the way of righteousness
And on your word and your Spirit I shall wait
You are the ground upon which I stand
Open my eyes that I may see
Your glory and splendor, your Spirit and truth
You are the Word who has set me free
You are the way and the truth and you are my life
Oh Lord do not put me to shame
My heart's desire is to follow you
And to glorify your precious name
Oh keep my eyes from worthless things
May they only ever see you
May I walk in the path that you have set
And praise you in all that I do
I will not be ashamed of the Gospel
It's the power of God to salvation
I will speak of you before mighty kings
And the Peoples of every nation
My hope is in the Lord my God
For your word has given me life
Your song comes to me in the middle of the night
As a bridegroom comes to His wife
The earth oh Lord is full of your mercy
And you have kept me from all harm
I will walk with my brothers who fear you
And you shall keep us from all alarm
In the midst of my many afflictions
I have learned from the error of my ways
I am drawn by your tender mercies
And they follow me all of my days
I delight in the your word that dwells in me
And I know I shall not be alone
For you dwell in the midst of a brand new heart
A heart of flesh and not of stone
My heart hungers for your presence oh Lord
I walk through a dry weary land
Yet through famine and drought my hope is in you
And suddenly before you I stand!
And the enemy that has sought to destroy me
And take advantage of my perilous state
Did not reckon on the faithful loving-kindness
Of my God who'll not leave me to my fate
You are beyond all comprehension
And we breathe because you exist
You sustain the heavens and the earth below
Righteousness and peace they have kissed
My strong desire is to do thy will
And my soul thirsts to please you oh Lord
I am hungry to know even more of you
It's so sweet to hear your word
Your word is a lamp unto my feet
And it keeps me on the road ahead
And though I am tempted to stray from it
It lights up the path I must tread
Every word that proceeds from my precious Lord
Is life and salvation to me
Keep me close that I may hear you Lord
Keep me close so I may be free
This Word that burns at the center of my heart
Was written by you for me
This strong desire that has ruined me for life
Makes me desperately want to see
To see you high and lifted up
Where the train of your robe fills the temple
I fall down in fear at this terrible sight
Yet I find you so sweet and gentle
Your mercy flows like the river wide
And your love is as deep as the sea
And of your forgiveness there is no end
From Calvary it flows eternally
And rivers of water run down from my eyes
For men have rejected the Son
Yet despite their rejections we shall rejoice
For the victory on Calvary won
I rise before the breaking of dawn
In the wee small hours of the morning
I search for you with all of my heart
And for the world my heart is in mourning
They will not hear, they refuse to listen
They are stubborn in al of their ways
Yet your children will rejoice with all of their hearts
And follow you all of their days
This heart, this heart you have given to me
Is the greatest treasure of all
And your words of love are written on this heart
So that I may never fall
For I was fallen and dead in my sin
Just like Lazarus, dead in the cave
Yet you came to me, right where I was
And you were mighty to save
Arise my child come forth and live
I speak to your heart of stone
Roll away, roll away, and now become flesh
Walk with me and you'll never walk alone
And so it was, the promise fulfilled
All the prophets had longed to see
This heart of flesh, the law fulfilled
The Christ that has set me free
poem by Frank McEleny
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Psalm 119
I will seek you with my whole heart
And learn to walk in your ways
I will seek you with my whole heart
And follow you all of my days
I love your word and your Spirit too
And I will praise you with all of my heart
Without you I would be forsaken and lost
I needed you right from the start
With my whole heart I cry to thee
Keep me close let us not be apart
Speak to me oh Spirit of God
Your Word is hidden in my heart
I rejoice in the Lord and in all of your ways
You have made the crooked paths straight
You lead me in the way of righteousness
And on your word and your Spirit I shall wait
You are the ground upon which I stand
Open my eyes that I may see
Your glory and splendor, your Spirit and truth
You are the Word who has set me free
You are the way and the truth and you are my life
Oh Lord do not put me to shame
My heart's desire is to follow you
And to glorify your precious name
Oh keep my eyes from worthless things
May they only ever see you
May I walk in the path that you have set for me
And praise you in all that I do
I will not be ashamed of the Gospel
It's the power of God to salvation
I will speak of you before mighty kings
And the Peoples of every nation
My hope is in the Lord my God
For your word has given me life
Your song comes to me in the middle of the night
As a bridegroom comes to His wife
The earth oh Lord is full of your mercy
And in that mercy you have kept me from harm
I will walk with my brothers who fear you
And you shall keep us from all alarm
In the midst of my many afflictions
I have learned from the error of my ways
I am drawn by your tender mercies
And they follow me all of my days
I delight in your word that dwells in me
And I know I shall not be alone
For you dwell in the midst of a brand new heart
A heart of flesh and not one of stone
My heart hungers for your presence oh Lord
I walk through a dry weary land
Yet through famine and drought my hope is in you
And suddenly before you I stand!
And the enemy that has sought to destroy me
And take advantage of my perilous state
Did not reckon on the faithful loving-kindness
Of my God who'll not leave me to my fate
You are beyond all comprehension
And we breathe because you exist
You sustain the heavens and the earth below
Righteousness and peace they have kissed
My strong desire is to do thy will
And my soul thirsts to please you oh Lord
I am hungry to know even more of you
It's so sweet to hear your word
Your word is a lamp unto my feet
And it keeps me on the road ahead
And though I am tempted to stray from it
It lights up the path I must tread
Every word that proceeds from my precious Lord
Is life and salvation to me
Keep me close that I may hear you Lord
Keep me close so I may be free
This Word that burns at the center of my heart
Was written by you for me
This strong desire that has ruined me for life
Makes me desperately want to see
To see you high and lifted up
Where the train of your robe fills the temple
I fall down in fear at this terrible sight
Yet I find you so sweet and gentle
Your mercy flows like the river wide
And your love is as deep as the sea
And of your forgiveness there is no end
From Calvary it flows eternally
And rivers of water run down from my eyes
For men have rejected the Son
Yet despite their rejections we shall rejoice
For the victory on Calvary won
I rise before the breaking of the dawn
In the wee small hours of the morning
I search for you with all of my heart
And for the world my heart is in mourning
They will not hear, they refuse to listen
They are stubborn in all of their ways
Yet your children will rejoice with all of their hearts
And follow you all of their days
This heart, this heart you have given to me
Is the greatest treasure of all
And your words of love are written on this heart
So that I may never fall
For I was fallen and dead in my sin
Just like Lazarus, dead in the cave
Yet you came to me, right where I was
And you were mighty to save
Arise my child come forth and live
I speak to your heart of stone
Roll away, roll away, and now become flesh
Walk with me and you'll never walk alone
And so it was, the promise fulfilled
All the prophets had longed to see
This heart of flesh, the law fulfilled
The Christ that has set me free
poem by Frank McEleny
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Stewards of Christ
True stewards for Jesus Christ, must become for God a sacrifice,
Offered up as a living sacrifice, to Jesus who paid sin’s full price,
When as an atonement, God sent Him, to the Cross for all our sin,
And true stewardship, for The Lord, begins in a heart transformed.
This begins with real recognition, by the believer of all of their sin,
Using God’s Word as their Guide, to expose sins we tend to hide,
And those sins, that we recognize, in our hearts, we must despise,
And to God so faithful and just, when we confess, He forgives us.
Repentance also plays a part, when we make changes in our heart,
To turn our life away from sin, applying those changes from within,
Turning us, from wrong to right, moving from the darkness to light,
A choice to make our walk in life, most acceptable to Jesus Christ.
Replacement now comes into view, for us to walk a life brand new,
Replacing those old habits for, those that are pleasing to our Lord,
And as in Christ Jesus we abide, our life becomes more sanctified,
Set apart by Christ to do His will, as God’s plan, Christ does fulfill.
Now a renewing of heart and mind, needs to take place at this time,
As The Word of God dwells richly in, all of those who come to Him,
And as His Word begins to dwell, old sin in us The Spirit shall quell,
As He fills our heart and mind, transformation by God is intertwined.
That’s how The Lord God above, fills faithful believers with His love,
So while upon earth he may be, mindful of God’s purpose eternally,
In making one’s life suitable for, the stewardship of Christ our Lord,
As we faithfully serve Eternal God, as stewards on this earthly sod.
(Copyright ©01/2008)
The storms of Life
Sometimes sad things happen in our life
they flare up suddenly and cause us strife.
The barriers that we put up against the flow
break down in floods of tears and sorrow.
Troubles fall like raindrops pelting down
welling into a flood in which we might drown.
We do our utmost to cope with the strain
but so many hurts cause our soul much pain.
Like in storms the raindrops seem really huge
and they gather into an irresistible deluge.
They test the fortitude of our minds defence
and when they burst through the pain's intense.
As we lay in bed in the early hours of the day
we cannot withstand them to our dismay.
They come crashing in like a forceful torrent
causing tears to flow out of us as we lament.
We cry out in anguish great sobs of sorrow
at the pain that comes as we work them through.
Our hearts despair at the turmoil that they bring
overwhelmed, we feel unable to do anything.
We become less resistant as the years go by
unable to withstand them and we wonder why
our human frailty is being tested to this extent
straining under the weight of our predicament.
We feel the deep hurt and the pain they bring
and would rather live in a world of no suffering.
They add to the burden of each passing day
and we would that they were banished away.
Sorrows well up from deep within our soul
as the anguish and suffering takes it toll.
It reminds us of the great 'Man of Sorrows'
who feels all our heartache, pains and woes.
'Come to me Oh weary one' Jesus said
'lay down your burdens at my feet instead.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light
you'll find rest for you soul, it will be alright.'
We rise up from our bed of pain and gloom
and find our way to that blessed upper room.
There we sit at the feet of the Lord and cry out
wondering what these sufferings are all about.
We lay our burdens down at His feet there
knowing He understands, we rest in His care.
Then we pour out our soul and to Him reveal
the deep sorrow and the sadness that we feel.
The storm subsides and the sorrows cease
as He brings to our soul that heavenly peace
and the healing balm that only He can bring
permeates into the depths of our inner being.
We feel Him lifting us out of our despair
as we rest in the sanctity of His presence there.
We look up and gaze into His wonderful face
and feel deep healing of our soul taking place.
His arms enfold us in His love and we can sense
the preciousness of His wonderful presence.
We rest awhile held in His loving embrace
as peace returns and deep healing takes place.
The sorrows of the world will always be here
they dog our steps and will not just disappear.
But with the Lord these troubles do not defeat
because we can lay them there at His blessed feet.
But this earthly life we live will not always be
and a time will come when our soul is set free.
And in that heavenly kingdom where Christ reigns
God Himself will remove our tears and pains.
No death, no sorrow and no pain shall endure
and these earthly sorrows will plaque us no more.
They will be replaced by heavenly joy and love
as we stand in the presence of our Lord above.
My 'Habakkuk' experience
Things were bleak and the outlook was bad.
My soul despaired and my heart was sad.
No job and no income. How shall I provide?
I needed to know that God was on my side.
'What shall I read? ', I said to the Lord
thumbing the pages of His Living Word.
'Read Habakkuk', He said to me so clearly
so I read my bible as He commanded me.
I felt much worse as the first chapter I read
'This is not helping me', to the Lord I said.
'Read on dear Roy', the Lord said to me
and so I read on in faith, obediently.
And then I found it. There in chapter three.
Written so clearly as though just for me.
It lifted my soul to the heavens above
and assured me of God's presence and love.
'Though nothing on earth seems to bloom
and all appears to be doom and gloom,
no sheep in the pen, no cattle in the stall
and no grapes growing on the vine at all.'
'Though the olive crop does not yield
and no produce comes from the field,
even though the fig tree does not bud,
yet still my soul will rejoice in the Lord.'
'I will joy in the God of my salvation,
give Him all my praise and adoration.'
Here on earth 'The just shall live by faith'
for trusting in the Lord they will be safe.'
The things of this world are so unreliable.
They come and go, they rise and they fall.
But heavenly treasures neither fade nor fail
outlasting all things they will prevail.
Secure in the knowledge that God's in control
and that He's the keeper of my immortal soul.
I said to my soul 'Be not cast down or sad'
'But rejoice in the Lord always and be glad'