Plenty In A Time Of Dearth
My soul once had its plenteous years,
And throve, with peace and comfort filled,
Like the fat kine and ripened ears,
Which Pharaoh in his dream beheld.
With pleasing frames and grace received,
With means and ordinances fed;
How happy for a while I lived,
And little feared the want of bread.
But famine came and left no sign,
Of all the plenty I had seen;
Like the dry ears and half-starved kine,
I then looked withered, faint and lean.
To Joseph the Egyptians went,
To Jesus I made known my case;
He, when my little stock was spent,
Opened his magazine of grace.
For he the time of dearth foresaw,
And made provision long before;
That famished souls, like me, might draw
Supplies from his unbounded store.
Now on his bounty I depend,
And live from fear of dearth secure,
Maintained by such a mighty friend,
I cannot want till he is poor.
O sinners hear his gracious call!
His mercy's door stands open wide,
He has enough to feed you all,
And none who come shall be denied.
poem by John Newton
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The Meal And Cruse Of Oil
By the poor widow's oil and meal
Elijah was sustained;
Though small the stock it lasted well,
For God the store maintained.
It seemed as if from day to day,
They were to eat and die;
But still, though in a secret way,
He sent a fresh supply.
Thus to his poor he still will give
Just for the present hour;
But for tomorrow they must live
Upon his word and power.
No barn or storehouse they possess
On which they can depend;
Yet have no cause to fear distress,
For Jesus is their friend.
Then let not doubts your mind assail,
Remember, God has said,
The cruse and barrel shall not fail,
My people shall be fed.
And thus though faint it often seems,
He keeps their grace alive;
Supplied by his refreshing streams,
Their dying hopes revive.
Though in ourselves we have no stock,
The Lord is nigh to save;
His door flies open when we knock,
And 'tis but ask and have.
poem by John Newton
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Knock, Knock
Lord Jesus stood there at my door
And twice He knocked then stayed.
It was my choice, I could ignore
And that's why I delayed.
He walked away.
I watched Him leave
Then got on with my life,
To sin like others who deceive
And cause all sorts of strife
Lord Jesus stood there at my door
And I watched Him inside.
I knew He knew my every flaw,
Not one could be denied.
I stood my ground, He left again.
I let Him walk away.
I struggled every now and then
With fears of Judgment Day.
My bank account looked mighty fine
As fifteen years passed by.
To think that all that cash was mine.
How come my soul felt dry?
Lord Jesus stood there at my door,
With fear I turned the key.
And simply stared at Christ with awe.
You see, He died for me.
Lord Jesus entered as my friend,
Yet also set me straight.
My useless life came to an end,
God's love to celebrate.
I sighed I'd made Him wait so long.
Those years I can't restore.
I tell you this, you can't go wrong
If you open the door.
poem by Denis Martindale
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Despised And Rejected
My sun has set, I dwell
In darkness as a dead man out of sight;
And none remains, not one, that I should tell
To him mine evil plight
This bitter night.
I will make fast my door
That hollow friends may trouble me no more.
'Friend, open to Me.'—Who is this that calls?
Nay, I am deaf as are my walls:
Cease crying, for I will not hear
Thy cry of hope or fear.
Others were dear,
Others forsook me: what art thou indeed
That I should heed
Thy lamentable need?
Hungry should feed,
Or stranger lodge thee here?
'Friend, My Feet bleed.
Open thy door to Me and comfort Me.'
I will not open, trouble me no more.
Go on thy way footsore,
I will not rise and open unto thee.
'Then is it nothing to thee? Open, see
Who stands to plead with thee.
Open, lest I should pass thee by, and thou
One day entreat My Face
And howl for grace,
And I be deaf as thou art now.
Open to Me.'
Then I cried out upon him: Cease,
Leave me in peace:
Fear not that I should crave
Aught thou mayst have.
Leave me in peace, yea trouble me no more,
Lest I arise and chase thee from my door.
What, shall I not be let
Alone, that thou dost vex me yet?
But all night long that voice spake urgently:
'Open to Me.'
Still harping in mine ears:
'Rise, let Me in.'
Pleading with tears:
'Open to Me that I may come to thee.'
While the dew dropped, while the dark hours were cold:
'My Feet bleed, see My Face,
See My Hands bleed that bring thee grace,
My Heart doth bleed for thee,
Open to Me.'
So till the break of day:
Then died away
That voice, in silence as of sorrow;
Then footsteps echoing like a sigh
Passed me by,
Lingering footsteps slow to pass.
On the morrow
I saw upon the grass
Each footprint marked in blood, and on my door
The mark of blood for evermore.
poem by Christina Georgina Rossetti
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Only By Grace
The Grace of God we don’t deserve, made us alive in Christ to serve,
To serve The Living Eternal God, while upon this fleeting earthly sod,
Lost in sin we were spiritually dead, but, by Grace we’re alive instead,
Spiritually alive, to serve our Lord; Jesus Christ, who we had ignored.
Because of Mercy, we don’t receive, all we deserve, through unbelief,
From our unbelieving life of sin; a Righteous Wrath, rendered by Him,
God’s Wrath incited by Righteousness, against all man’s wickedness,
But, through belief, lead by faith, we received God’s awesome Grace.
It is only by Grace, that we are saved; fallen sinners, totally depraved,
Not able to accomplish on our own, what Jesus had finished all alone,
Paying for sinners the required price, becoming for all God’s sacrifice,
As Christ appeased all God’s Wrath; providing for us salvation’s path.
So rich in Mercy, The Lord God is, that sinners once lost, now are His,
Children of God, with Eternal Life, seated in Heaven with Jesus Christ,
We are now Christ’s new creation, disciples proclaiming His Salvation,
Saved by Grace, filled with His Love, pointing to His Kingdom above.
Salvation today’s available to all, to redeem sinners from Adam’s fall,
Available to any, who will come, regardless of where they are or from;
Multitudes once lost and deceived, have come to Christ and received,
Salvation from the Father’s Hand; so won’t you today in Christ stand?
(Copyright ©07/2009)
St. Mother Teresa (2)
How could the world ignore the poor in streets?
How could the world neglect the souls sans sheets?
How could the world revel in happy meets?
How could the world deny the suffering, sweets?
How could one live in affluence when most,
In poverty and misery, lives spent?
How could one live in skyscrapers and rent,
The shelterless and starved souls, the pavement?
How could one serve the Creator unseen,
By being stingy, cruel, selfish and mean?
How could one walk unmindful of the scene,
When neighbors looked famished, ravished and lean?
How can you hate your neighbor and love God?
How can you sin and yet escape God’s rod?
The world is not as good as it was made;
The good we do nevertheless can’t fade.
In deep waters, no one can ever wade;
To love your neighbor as yourself, God bade;
Mother Teresa listened to God’s call;
Maybe, life was to her like bitter gall!
But, Jesus would lift her when she did fall.
The dying souls needed at least a pall!
She hadn’t the money to buy from a stall;
Her ambition to serve the poor was tall!
The future looked gloomy and like a wall!
She prayed to God to give her all the grace;
She wore a smile and showed a pleasant face;
While Kolkata served as her Indian base.
She had the world at large, all in her gaze!
And she would come out of this virtual maze;
And she would turn on to a running pace!
She saw through all the mist and fog and haze.
God helped her to finish in style, her race!
Her message read, “Love God through fellowmen.”
The world can be better if not Heaven!
The world could be made for all more even
By her Missionaries of Charity’s-haven!
Dedicated to Mother Teresa and her Missionaries of Charity
by dr john celes, COIMBATORE, T.N., India
poem by John Celes
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The Soul Snatcher!
When I awoke from midnight sleep,
I heard a rustling creature creep
And on my bed, its vigil keep,
Till my eyes opened wide...
I saw the demon crawl around,
Regardless of its stirring sound,
As if by fear it wasn't bound
And saw no cause to hide...
So there we were, now both awake,
With me amazed, for goodness sake
And my weak heart began to ache
And beat so fast inside...
'Hello, old soul, I'm here to trade!
I know from righteousness you've strayed,
But I've a deal that could be made,
A contract to abide...'
'My soul is mine and mine alone,
Not even God my soul could own,
Yet while God rules upon His throne,
I'll trust in Christ who died...'
'But I can grant so many things!
Why be one of God's underlings?
Come sign and share each joy life brings!
A Princess for a bride! '
'What use are trinkets of this Earth?
Not one has proved eternal worth!
For years I gave each one wide berth,
As each must be denied...'
'Denied? What foolish talk is that?
I'm tempted just to leave you flat!
But since you haven't made me scat,
Perhaps you're pleased I tried...'
'Begone, foul spirit, stay no more!
Begone, I say and close the door!
I live by grace and not by law
And conscience is my guide...'
'So be it, lonely child of grace,
Now old with such a forlorn face,
With none to kiss, none to embrace...
Sleep well, alone... each night...'
Denis Martindale, copyright, October 2011.
poem by Denis Martindale
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Today... 'The Door
Where do we mortals find that narrow heavenly Door?
Through which millions of sinners have entered before?
It is found at the cross where Jesus was crucified
There for You paid for our sins, laid down Your life and died
With Your arms outstretched so wide and saying, 'Come to me'
For we find forgiveness by Your death at Calvary
And we see the Door before us swinging open wide
Allowing us to pass through the veil to heavens side
At the cross the veil in the temple was rent in two
We can still hear You calling sinners to come to You
For the door into heaven has been flung open wide
'Come to me you weary, ' we hear as we go inside
Calvary's cross is the Door through which man can go through
And there is no other way only this door will do
For You are the Way by which we must enter heaven
It is at the cross we must come to be forgiven
Then as we look behind us on the lintel we see
'Chosen before the foundation of the world in Me'
Though millions have come yet there is still room for more
God by His Grace has allowed us to enter the Door
So come to that Door for it is opened wide for you
And taste the glories of heaven as you enter through
The cry goes out 'whosoever will may enter in'
It is at the Cross where your journey has to begin
All who enter the door shall be safely kept inside
There forever with the Lord Jesus they all shall abide
Each one was chosen by God before the world began
Included by His grace as part of salvations plan
(see also the additional information in the Poet's notes box below)
Sonnet: My ‘Temple’ On Earth
The pillars of my strength are three for now!
Thou art the rock on which my temple stands!
To all Thy tenets, humbly do I bow;
The construction will be with my own hands.
Let prayers make my mind draw plans with ease;
Let grace of God reinforce every brick;
Let God’s mercy help me construct in peace;
Let fear of God make my heart never sick.
The temple is my family on earth!
Outlive it must, the fury of devils;
O God, Thy blessings must not be a dearth;
Let impervious be temple to evils!
When temple’s made, thine humble servant, I
Whole-heartedly wish to Thee glorify.
poem by John Celes
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When Hannah Pressed With Grief
When Hannah pressed with grief,
Poured forth her soul in prayer;
She quickly found relief,
And left her burden there:
Like her, in every trying case,
Let us approach the throne of grace.
When she began to pray,
Her heart was pained and sad;
But ere she went away,
Was comforted and glad:
In trouble, what a resting place,
Have they who know the throne of grace!
Though men and devils rage,
And threaten to devour;
The saints, from age to age,
Are safe from all their pow'r:
Fresh strength they gain to run their race,
By waiting at the throne of grace.
Eli her case mistook,
How was her spirit moved
By his unkind rebuke?
But God her cause approved.
We need not fear a creature's face,
While welcome at a throne of grace.
She was not filled with wine,
As Eli rashly thought;
But with a faith divine,
And found the help file sought:
Though men despise and call us base,
Still let us ply the throne of grace.
Men have not pow'r or skill,
With troubled souls to bear;
Though they express good-will,
Poor comforters they are:
But swelling sorrows sink apace,
When we approach the throne of grace.
Numbers before have tried,
And found the promise true;
Nor one been yet denied,
Then why should I or you?
Let us by faith their footsteps trace,
And hasten to the throne of grace.
As fogs obscure the light,
And taint the morning air;
But soon are put to flight,
If the bright sun appear;
Thus Jesus will our troubles chase,
By shining from the throne of grace.
poem by John Newton
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Ch 08 On Rules For Conduct In Life - Maxim 45
Whose bread is not eaten by others while he is alive, he will not be remembered when he is dead. A widow knows the delight of grapes and not the lord of fruits. Joseph the just, salutation to him, never ate to satiety in the Egyptian dearth for fear he might forget the hungry people.
How can he who lives in comfort and abundance
Know what the state of the famished is?
He is aware of the condition of the poor
Who has himself fallen into a state of distress.
O thou who art riding a fleet horse, consider
That the poor thorn-carrying ass is in water and mud.
Ask not for fire from thy poor neighbour’s house
Because what passes out of his window is the smoke of his heart.
All Things Work Out
All Things will indeed fall in place, for our God is a God of Grace.
All fears God will erase away, giving you comfort along the way.
Replacing the fear He does erase, with God’s peace in its place.
Soon what seems so very new, will all be common place for you.
The Grace God bestows on you, in His time will see you through.
No matter what your heart may say, God will lead you all the way.
As your emotion wells up inside, in Christ Jesus you must abide.
For His Grace is sufficient friend, from the beginning to the end.
What seems today to be concern, is just one more means to learn.
God will help you to understand, the present task you have at hand.
God puts you on unknown roads, sometimes with very heavy loads.
God uses things you don’t know, within your world to help you grow.
He works out tasks big and small; and God helps you when you fall.
What seems to be a huge task, can shrink to nothing when you ask.
Going to God on bended knees, will put your troubled heart at ease.
Just ask God right where you are, for Christ, my friend, is never far.
Friend, any time, any place, you can call upon His Awesome Grace.
A Grace that reaches far and wide, filling you with His Peace inside.
Just let Christ Jesus fill your heart, in each and every task you start.
And all your fears shall melt away, as Christ is in your heart to stay.
08/2005
A Need For Mercy
It was God’s Grace that I received, on that day when I believed.
Today it’s God’s Mercy that I need, and on this very day indeed.
I need God to intervene for me, so His hand of Grace I may see.
To see His hand in my life today, while working in a special way.
It was Grace that saved me first, when in sin, I was at my worst,
And for Mercy, did not receive, those eternal wages, due to me.
As it was totally of God’s Grace, when His Son died in my place,
When Christ forgave all my sin, and God The Father took me in.
Now He is at God’s Right Hand, where for us He takes a stand,
Where Christ intervenes for me, and all others who truly believe.
And so at times I seek His face, that I may receive God’s Grace,
That I may have Mercy from God, instead of His chastising Rod.
God’s Mercy is abundant friend, with Grace sufficient to the end.
When I face a day filled with strife, I need God’s Grace in my life.
But if Mercy to me does not come, I receive Grace from His Son,
And Christ’s Grace is sufficient to, guide me always fully through.
So today I’ll lean upon The Lord, whose Grace always will endure,
This through any trial in any pain, for my life He will surely sustain.
For it’s only by His Mercy I’ll be, in Heaven with Christ for Eternity.
And very soon by God’s Grace, above I will see my Savior’s face.
(Copyright ©01/2006)
Hymn IV: Ho! Everyone That Thirsts, Draw Nigh
Ho! every one that thirsts, draw nigh!
('Tis God invites the fallen race)
Mercy and free salvation buy;
Buy wine, and milk, and gospel grace.
Come to the living waters, come!
Sinners, obey your Maker's call;
Return, ye weary wanderers, home,
And find my grace is free for all.
See from the Rock a fountain rise!
For you in healing streams it rolls;
Money ye need not bring, nor price,
Ye labouring, burdened, sin-sick souls.
Nothing ye in exchange shall give,
Leave all you have and are behind,
Frankly the gift of God receive,
Pardon and peace in Jesus find.
Why seek ye that which is not bread,
Nor can your hungry souls sustain?
On ashes, husks, and air ye feed;
Ye spend your little all in vain.
In search of empty joys below,
Ye toil with unavailing strife;
Whither, ah! whither would ye go?
I have the words of endless life.
Hearken to me with earnest care,
And freely eat substantial food,
The sweetness of my mercy share,
And taste that I alone am good.
I bid you all my goodness prove,
My promises for all are free,
Come, taste the manna of my love,
And let your souls delight in me.
Your willing ear and heart incline,
My words believingly receive;
Quickened your souls by faith divine
An everlasting life shall live.
poem by John Wesley
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Ho! Everyone That Thirsts, Draw Nigh
Ho! every one that thirsts, draw nigh!
('Tis God invites the fallen race)
Mercy and free salvation buy;
Buy wine, and milk, and gospel grace.
Come to the living waters, come!
Sinners, obey your Maker's call;
Return, ye weary wanderers, home,
And find my grace is free for all.
See from the Rock a fountain rise!
For you in healing streams it rolls;
Money ye need not bring, nor price,
Ye labouring, burdened, sin-sick souls.
Nothing ye in exchange shall give,
Leave all you have and are behind,
Frankly the gift of God receive,
Pardon and peace in Jesus find.
Why seek ye that which is not bread,
Nor can your hungry souls sustain?
On ashes, husks, and air ye feed;
Ye spend your little all in vain.
In search of empty joys below,
Ye toil with unavailing strife;
Whither, ah! whither would ye go?
I have the words of endless life.
Hearken to me with earnest care,
And freely eat substantial food,
The sweetness of my mercy share,
And taste that I alone am good.
I bid you all my goodness prove,
My promises for all are free,
Come, taste the manna of my love,
And let your souls delight in me.
Your willing ear and heart incline,
My words believingly receive;
Quickened your souls by faith divine
An everlasting life shall live.
poem by Charles Wesley
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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It Is What It Is
Life is simply what it is, but I’m blessed to know Jesus,
Who is my guide in this life, even in the pain and strife,
He’s indeed a light to me, in dark times to help me see,
Christ is forever by my side, as God helps me to abide.
To abide in Christ is a must, when in God I put my trust,
With trust, comes His Grace, guiding me place to place,
While I live my life in faith, He supplies abundant Grace,
Grace sufficient for my need, as the Living Word I heed.
His Word lights the path I trod, led by The Truth of God,
Truths not always easy to bear, but, I am under His care,
Shielded from unknown harms, safe in everlasting arms,
Wherever my path may lead, Christ supplies every need.
Secure in God’s arms of love, as I’m led from up above,
With God above is security, knowing my path to eternity,
Even through trials below, grace and mercy He will show,
To all souls who live this life, for the Savior, Jesus Christ.
And so this life, I live for Him, in this world cursed by sin,
Through hard times of pain, as I have eternity yet to gain,
For this life is nothing friend, compare to life with no end,
Not here but in eternal life, living forever with Jesus Christ.
Elijah Fed By Ravens
Elijah's example declares,
Whatever distress may betide;
The saints may commit all their cares
To him who will surely provide:
When rain long withheld from the earth
Occasioned a famine of bread;
The prophet, secure from the dearth,
By ravens was constantly fed.
More likely to rob than to feed,
Were ravens who live upon prey;
But when the Lord's people have need,
His goodness will find out a way:
This instance to those may seem strange,
Who know not how faith can prevail;
But sooner all nature shall change,
Than one of God's promises fail.
Nor is it a singular case,
The wonder is often renewed;
And many can say, to his praise,
He sends them by ravens their food:
Thus worldlings, though ravens indeed,
Though greedy and selfish their mind,
If God has a servant to feed,
Against their own wills can be kind.
Thus Satan, that raven unclean,
Who croaks in the ears of the saints;
Compelled by a power unseen,
Administers oft to their wants:
God teaches them how to find food
From all the temptations they feel;
This raven, who thirsts for my blood,
Has helped me to many a meal.
How safe and how happy are they
Who on the good Shepherd rely!
He gives them out strength for their day,
Their wants he will surely supply:
He ravens and lions can tame,
All creatures obey his command;
Then let me rejoice in his name,
And leave all my cares in his hand.
poem by John Newton
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Yet By Grace
I’ve experienced a lot of grace, while on earth I’ve run my race,
This race on earth, we call life, while being led by Jesus Christ;
The Grace of God, so undeserved, yet by grace I have served,
The Eternal God and Creator, when by Grace, I met The Savior.
God’s Grace I had never known, while Truth I was never shown,
Bible Truths from God of Eternity, yet by Grace, He saved me;
It was God Who loved me first, while an unbeliever at my worst,
Deceived, lost and totally depraved, yet by Grace, I was saved.
After cleansing me of my sin, His Grace to me would just begin,
As I began this life brand new, God’s Grace did see me through;
Starting life on the narrow way, with God leading me day to day,
His Grace was apparent in my life, guided by the Spirit of Christ.
The grace God had granted to me, in a weary world set me free,
Freed from the anxieties of life, in a world that’s filled with strife,
And as I live my life day to day, His Grace given, is here to stay,
To quiet all that anxiety and fear, as life’s troubles do draw near.
His Grace is there at every bend, being all sufficient with no end,
Especially in the darkest of time, surely dispersed by His design,
Grace that brings comfort and light, while in that darkest of night,
Along come trial’s gloomy rays, yet His Grace comforts my days.
(Copyright ©12/2011)
The Good With The Bad
We seem to accept all the good, from God as it comes our way,
But, then God is misunderstood, when we come to a darker day,
Everyone knows that in our life, trials indeed are bound to come,
And men must lean on Jesus Christ, the Lord God’s Eternal Son.
Friend, trials come to all of us, whether or not in God we believe,
And when in God we put our trust, strength from Him we receive,
It is this strength that guides us in, and throughout a darker time,
Giving us God’s peace within, all through God’s gracious design.
Some men may come to the place, as they face a trial in this life,
And may look to God’s grace, while acknowledging Jesus Christ,
For trials God may well conceive, in the path of others my friend,
So others may come to believe, in this lifetime beyond the bend.
All things work together my friend, for all who truly love the Lord,
And His Truth prevails in the end, Truth that through all’s endured,
For all called for God’s purpose, as we live out this temporal life,
As we’re pressed into His service, given His power over all strife.
In this service of Christ our King, there are still trials that we face,
But, He who handles everything, supplies us all with ample grace,
Grace that is offered to everyone, in every land and every nation,
As they embrace God’s only Son, and receive His only Salvation.
(Copyright ©05/2008)
Amazing Grace
Amazing Grace, how sweet God is, and all because of this,
The Gift He sent upon a Cross, God’s Gift to all those lost,
A gift that is deserved by none, the Gift of God’s own Son,
Our Blessed Savior, Jesus Christ, who came to give us life.
His Grace reaches far and wide, and no one shall be denied,
Who comes by faith to Him, Christ, who died for all their sin,
And all who seek His face, receive from Him amazing Grace,
Grace that opens up that door, to life with God forevermore.
It is a Grace that’s from above, guiding us here by His love,
A love that sent His only Son, to be the Savior of everyone,
With His love, comes a peace, that from God will not cease,
Peace unlike the world’s friend, inner peace that has no end.
God’s Grace truly changes men, in Christ they’re born again,
Sinful men of this earth, now bound for heaven by new birth,
Fallen men, now changed for life, in a world where sin is rife,
Now living life for the Lord, since His Grace was not ignored.
Grace will soften a hard heart, giving a life a brand new start,
By giving a soul eyes to see, God’s Truth, regarding eternity,
Turning a soul to the place, where they receive saving Grace,
At the Cross of Calvary, where Grace began for you and me.
(Copyright ©09/200)
Thy Faithfulness, Lord
Thy faithfulness, Lord, Each moment we find,
So true to thy word, So loving and kind!
Thy mercy so tender To all the lost race,
The vilest offender May turn and find grace.
The mercy I feel To others I show,
I set to my seal That Jesus is true:
Ye all may find favour Who come at his call,
O come to my Saviour, His grace is for all!
To save what was lost, from heaven he came;
Come, sinners, and trust In Jesus's name.
He offers you pardon; He bids you be free;
'If sin be your burden, O come unto me!'
O let me commend My Saviour to you,
The publican's friend And Advocate too,
For you he is pleading His merits and death,
With God interceding for sinners beneath.
Then let us submit His grace to receive,
Fall down at his feet And gladly believe:
We all are forgiven For Jesus's sake:
Our title to heaven His merits we take.
poem by Charles Wesley
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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