Smyrna
The message first to Smyrna sent,
A message full of grace;
To all the Saviour's flock is meant,
In every age and place.
Thus to his church, his chosen bride,
Saith the great First and Last;
Who ever lives, though once he died,
Hold thy profession fast.
Thy works and sorrows well I know,
Performed and borne for me;
Poor though thou art, despised and low,
Yet who is rich like thee?
I know thy foes, and what they say,
How long they have blasphemed;
The synagogue of Satan, they,
Though they would Jews be deemed.
Though Satan for a season rage,
And prisons be your lot;
I am your friend, and I engage
You shall not be forgot.
Be faithful unto death, nor fear
A few short days of strife;
Behold! the prize you soon shall wear,
A crown of endless life!
Hear what the holy Spirit saith
Of all who overcome;
They shall escape the second death,
The sinner's aweful doom!
poem by John Newton
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Related quotes
Philadelphia
Thus saith the holy One, and true,
To his beloved faithful few;
Of heav'n and hell I hold the keys,
To shut, or open, as I please.
I know thy works, and I approve,
Though small thy strength, sincere thy love;
Go on, my word and name to own,
For none shall rob thee of thy crown.
Before thee see my mercy's door
Stands open wide to shut no more;
Fear not temptation's fiery day,
For I will be thy strength and stay.
Thou hast my promise, hold it fast,
The trying hour will soon be past;
Rejoice, for lo! I quickly come,
To take thee to my heav'nly home.
A pillar there, no more to move,
Inscribed with all my names of love;
A monument of mighty grace,
Thou shalt for ever have a place.
Such is the conqueror's reward,
Prepared and promised by the Lord!
Let him that has the ear of faith,
Attend to what the Spirit saith.
poem by John Newton
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Bible in Poetry: Revelation 2
To the Church in Ephesus:
1'To angel of the Ephesus’ church, you write:
These are the words of Him who holds
The seven stars in His right hand
And walks ’mongst seven gold lamp-stands:
2 I know your deeds and your hard work
I know your perseverance too.
You tolerate not wicked men,
You’ve tested those ‘false’ apostles.
3You’ve persevered a lot on earth
You’ve endured hardships in my name,
And haven’t grown weary until now.
4Yet I hold this charge against you:
You have forsaken your first love.
5 Rethink the height from which you’ve fallen!
Repent and do things as earlier.
If you do not, I will come to you,
Remove your lamp-stand from its place.
6 The point in your favor is this:
You hate the Nicolaitans’ work;
I also hate their practices.
7 He who has ears, let him then hear
What Spirit tells the churches now.
To him who overcomes, I’ll give
The right to eat from Tree of Life,
Which is in the Paradise of God.
To the Church in Smyrna:
8'To the church in Smyrna angel write:
These are the words of Him who is
The First and Last, who died, arose
And came to life again third day.
9I know your afflictions too well
Despite your poverty, you’re rich!
I know the slanderous ones who say
But really, they are not Jews,
But are a synagogue of Satan.
10 Don’t fear of your sufferings ahead!
The devil will put some of you
Into prison to test you faith,
For ten days, you’ll suffer like this.
Be faithful, ev’n to point of death,
And I will give you crown of life
11He who has ears, then let him hear
What Spirit says to the churches.
He who overcomes will not be
Hurt by the second death at all.
To the Church in Pergamum:
12'To the church in Pergamum’s angel write:
These are the words of him who has
The tongue like sharp, double-edged sword.
13 The place you live has Satan’s throne.
Yet you remain true to my name.
You didn’t renounce your faith in me,
Even in days of Antipas,
My faithful witness, who was killed
In your city—where Satan lives.
14 I have a few things against you:
Some people teach about Balaam,
Who taught Balak to entice all
Israelites to sin by food
That was sacrificed to idols
And by sexual immorality.
15Likewise you also have those that
Who teach of Nicolaitans there.
16Repent therefore or Otherwise,
I’ll come and fight against them son,
With sword that is within my mouth.
17 He who has ears, then let him hear
What Spirit says to the churches.
To him who overcomes, I will give
Some of the manna that’s hidden.
I will also give him a white stone with
A new name written upon it,
Known only to him who gets it.
To the Church in Thyatira:
18'To Thyatira church’s angel write:
These are the words of Son of God,
Whose eyes look like blazing fire,
And whose feet look like burnished bronze.
19I know your deeds, your love and faith,
Your service and perseverance,
You’re doing more than earlier.
20 But still, I have this against you:
You tolerated Jezebel,
Who calls herself a prophetess.
Who teaches misleading servants
To sexual immorality,
And eating foods, idols’ offered.
21I have given her time to repent
But she is unwilling to change.
22 I’ll cast her on bed of suffering,
I’ll make those who commit with her,
Adultery with her suffer much.
Unless they repent of her ways.
23I will strike her children dead at once.
Then all the churches will know that
I’m He, who searches hearts and minds,
And I’ll repay each of you
In accordance with your own deeds.
24 I say now to the rest of you
In Thyatira, who don’t teach well,
And haven’t learned Satan's deep secrets
(I’ll not impose burdens on you) :
25 Hold on to what you’ve till I come.
26 To him who overcomes these things
And does my will until the end,
I’ll give him power o’er nations—
27'He’ll rule with an iron scepter;
He’ll dash them to pieces like pottery'—
As I’ve received authority,
From my dear Father in Heaven.
28I will also give him the morning star.
29 He who has ears then let him hear
What Spirit tells the churches now.
Copyright by Dr John Celes 7-13-2007
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
The Gospel in a Nutshell
Here’s The Gospel in a nutshell friend, from the beginning to the end.
The message displayed for all to see, so all men can live for eternity.
A message made loud and clear, so that sinful man needs not to fear.
The message is seen in Jesus Christ, so all men can have Eternal Life.
Jesus Christ died on a bloody cross, The Perfect Man for sinners lost,
For Jesus Christ died in our place, and this friend was all God’s Grace.
God sent to earth The Perfect Lamb, to bleed and die for sinful man,
As the wages for sin is death, He said “Forgive them” in His last breath.
By Jesus the penalty for sin was paid, then on the ground His body laid.
He was then placed in a tomb my friend, for the cross was not His end.
After being placed in the tomb, the Jews thought they sealed His doom.
Being In the ground for three days, sorrow began replacing men’s praise.
But the grave could not hold Him friend, for death was not Christ’s end,
And after three days came and went, Christ from that grave rose again.
He rose again just like He said, for He couldn’t remain among the dead.
Christ ascended again to His Father’s side, even though for us He died.
To help the fainted heart believe again, He returned to be seen by men,
To five hundred men He did appear, to put to rest any doubt and fear.
After forty days He would ascend, reminding all He would return again.
This is the Hope we have in Christ, that we will be raised unto New Life.
(Copyright ©02/2005)
A Brand Plucked Out Of The Fire
With Satan, my accuser, near
My spirit trembled when I saw
The Lord in majesty appear,
And heart the language of the law.
In vain I wish'd and strove to hide
The tatter'd, filthy rags I wore;
While my fierce foe insulting cry'd
See what you trusted in before!
Struck dumb, and left without a plea,
I heard my gracious Saviour say,
Know Satan, I this sinner free,
I died to take his sin away.
This is a brand which I, in love,
To save from wrath and sin design!
In vain thy accusations prove;
I answer all, and call him mine.
At his rebuke the tempter fled;
Then he remov'd my filthy dress;
Poor sinner, take this robe, he said,
It is thy Saviour's rightousness.
And see, a crown of life prepar'd!
That I might thus my head adorn;
I thought no shame or suff'ring hard,
But wore for thee a crown of thorn.
O how I heard these gracious words!
They broke and heal'd my heart at once;
Constrained me to become the Lord's,
And all my idol-gods renounce.
Now, Satan, thou hast lost thy aim,
Against this brand thy threats are vain;
JESUS has pluck'd it from the flame,
And who shall put it in again?
poem by John Newton
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Satan Returning
When Jesus claims the sinner's heart,
Where Satan ruled before;
The evil spirit must depart,
And dares return no more.
But when he goes without constraint,
And wanders from his home;
Although withdrawn, 'tis but a feint,
He means again to come.
Some outward change perhaps is seen
If Satan quit the place;
But though the house seem swept and clean,
'Tis destitute of grace.
Except the Saviour dwell and reign
Within the sinner's mind;
Satan, when he returns again,
Will easy entrance find.
With rage and malice sevenfold,
He then resumes his sway;
No more by checks to be controlled,
No more to go away.
The sinner's former state was bad,
But worse the latter far;
He lives possessed, and blind, and mad,
And dies in dark despair.
Lord save me from this dreadful end!
And from this heart of mine,
O drive and keep away the fiend
Who fears no voice but thine.
poem by John Newton
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
The Resurrection And The Life
I Am, saith Christ our glorious head,
(May we attention give)
The resurrection of the dead,
The life of all that live.
By faith in me, the soul receives
New life, though dead before;
And he that in my name believes,
Shall live, to die no more.
The sinner, sleeping in his grave,
Shall at my voice awake;
And when I once begin to save,
My work I ne'er forsake.
Fulfill thy promise, gracious Lord,
On us assembled here,
Put forth thy Spirit with the word,
And cause the dead to hear.
Preserve the pow'r of faith alive,
In those who love thy name;
For sin and Satan daily strive
To quench the sacred flame.
Thy pow'r and mercy first prevailed
From death to set us free;
And often since our life had failed,
If not renewed by thee.
To thee we look, to thee we bow;
To thee, for help, we call;
Our life and resurrection thou,
Our hope, our joy, our all.
poem by John Newton
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Crown Him With Many Crowns
Musical adaptation: michael w. smith
Crown him with many crowns,
The lamb upon the throne:
Hark! how the heavnly anthem drowns
All music but its own!
Awake, my soul, and sing
Of him who died for thee,
And hail him as thy matchless king
Thru all eternity.
Crown him with many crowns
Crown him with many crowns
Crown him the lord of heavn:
One with the father known.
One with the spirit thru him givn
From yonder glorious throne.
To thee be endless praise.
For thou hast died for me;
Be thou, o lord, thru endless days
Adored and magnified
Adored and magnified
Crown him with many crowns
His glories now we sing,
Who died and rose on high,
Who died eternal life to bring
And...lives that death may die.
Crown him with many crowns
song performed by by Michael W. Smith
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
The Crucifixion of Christ
Composed, by Special Request, 18th June 1890
Then Pilate, the Roman Governor, took Jesus and scourged Him,
And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and thought it no sin
To put it on His head, while meekly Jesus stands;
They put on Him a purple robe, and smote Him with their hands.
Then Pilate went forth again, and said unto them,
Behold, I bring Him forth to you, but I cannot Him condemn,
And I would have you to remember I find no fault in Him,
And to treat Him too harshly 'twould be a sin.
But the rabble cried. Hail, King of the Jews, and crucify Him;
But Pilate saith unto them, I find in Him no sin;
Then Jesus came forth, looking dejected and wan,
And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the Man.
Then the Jews cried out, By our laws He ought to die,
Because He made Himself the Son of God the Most High;
And when Pilate heard that saying the Jews had made,
He saw they were dissatisfied, and he was the more afraid.
And to release Jesus Pilate did really intend,
But the Jews cried angrily, Pilate, thou art not Caesar's friend,
Remember, if thou let this vile impostor go,
It only goes to prove thou art Caesar's foe.
When Pilate heard that he felt very irate,
Then he brought Josus forth, and sat down in the judgment-seat,
In a place that is called the Pavement,
While the Blessed Saviour stood calm and content.
The presence of His enemies did not Him appal,
When Pilate asked of Him, before them all,
Whence art Thou, dost say from on High?
But Jesus, the Lamb of God, made no reply.
Then saith Pilate unto Him, Speakest Thou not unto me,
Remember, I have the power to crucify Thee;
But Jesus answered, Thou hast no power at all against me,
Except from above it were given to thee.
Then Pilate to the Jews loudly cried,
Take Him away to be crucified;
Then the soldiers took Jesus and led Him away,
And He, bearing His Cross, without dismay.
And they led Him to a place called Golgotha,
But the Saviour met His fate without any awe,
And there crucified Him with two others, one on either side,
And Jesus in the midst, whilst the Jews did Him deride.
Then Pilate tried to pacify the Jews, they felt so morose,
And he wrote a title, and put it on the Cross;
And the title he wrote did the Jews amuse,
The writing was, Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews.
This title read many of the Jews without any pity;
And the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city;
And the title was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin,
And while reading the title the Jews did laugh and grin.
While on the Cross the sun refused to shine,
And there was total darkness for a long time;
The reason was God wanted to hide His wounds from view,
And He kept the blessed sun from breaking through.
And to quench His thirst they gave Him vinegar and hyssop,
While the blood from His wounded brow copiously did drop,
Then He drank of it willingly, and bowed His head,
And in a few minutes the dear Saviour was dead.
Then Joseph of Arimathea sadly did grieve,
And he asked if Pilate would give him leave
To take the body of Jesus away,
And Pilate told him to remove it without delay.
Then Joseph took the body of Jesus away,
And wound it in linen, which was the Jewish custom of that day,
And embalmed his body with spices sweet,
Then laid it in a new sepulchre, as Joseph thought meet.
But death could not hold Him in the grave,
Because He died poor sinners' souls to save;
And God His Father took Him to Heaven on high;
And those that believe in Jesus shall never die.
Oh! think of the precious Blood our Saviour did loss,
That flowed from His wounds while on the Cross,
Especially the wound in His side, made with a spear,
And if you are a believer, you will drop a silent tear.
And if you are not a believer, try and believe,
And don't let the devil any longer you deceive,
Because the precious Blood that Jesus shed will free you from all sin,
Therefore, believe in the Saviour, and Heaven you shall enter in!
poem by William Topaz McGonagall
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Olney Hymn 18: Lovest Thou Me?
Hark my soul! it is the Lord;
'Tis Thy Saviour, hear His word;
Jesus speaks and speaks to thee,
'Say poor sinner, lovst thou me?
'I deliver'd thee when bound,
And when bleeding, heal'd thy wound;
Sought thee wandering, set thee right,
Turn'd thy darkness into light.
'Can a woman's tender care
Cease towards the child she bare?
Yes, she may forgetful be,
Yet will I remember thee.
'Mine is an unchanging love,
Higher than the heights above,
Deeper than the depths beneath,
Free and faithful, strong as death.
'Thou shalt see my glory soon,
When the work of grace is done;
Partner of my throne shalt be;
Say, poor sinner, lovst thou me?'
Lord it is my chief complaint,
That my love is weak and faint;
Yet I love Thee and adore, -
Oh! for grace to love Thee more!
poem by William Cowper
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Heavenly Citizenship
I’m no longer of this earth; I have been changed by a spiritual birth,
Although I still walk this sod, I now belong to the Kingdom of God.
A heavenly plane beyond this earth; in a Kingdom of Eternal Worth,
While down here, I am led by God, comforted by His staff and rod.
Although I was born on earth in sin, of Heaven above I am a citizen,
A new citizen of Heaven, eternally, all through the Cross of Calvary.
While I am here He lives within, through The Holy Spirit sent by Him,
Jesus Christ, who came to die for me, to give me New Life eternally.
It’s the Holy Spirit who lives inside, helping this sinner daily to abide,
To abide in my Lord, Jesus Christ, who gave to this sinner a new life.
For, when The Lord was crucified, New Life, I received when He died,
When for me, Jesus paid that price, by becoming for me a Sacrifice.
After Christ had died in my stead, my Lord rose again from the dead,
Leaving empty, the Garden Tomb, and sealing forever, Satan’s doom,
And with Christ being The Living Bread, up to Heaven, He went ahead,
Leaving behind death’s dark gloom, to set up for me an eternal room.
As a member of the human race, my heavenly citizenship is of Grace,
The thought I’d alone never conceive, let alone, something I’d achieve.
But soon I’ll see my Lord’s face, when I’m lifted to my heavenly place,
Friend all this too, you can receive, if in Christ you would just believe.
Hymn 141
The Humiliation and exaltation of Christ.
Isa. 53:1-5,10-12.
Who has believed thy word,
Or thy salvation known?
Reveal thine arm, Almighty Lord,
And glorify thy Son.
The Jews esteemed him here
Too mean for their belief;
Sorrows his chief acquaintance were,
And his companion, grief.
They turned their eyes away,
And treated him with scorn;
But 'twas their grief upon him lay,
Their sorrows he has borne.
'Twas for the stubborn Jews,
And Gentiles then unknown,
The God of justice pleased to bruise
His best-beloved Son.
"But I'll prolong his days,
And make his kingdom stand;
My pleasure," saith the God of grace,
"Shall prosper in his hand."
["His joyful soul shall see
The purchase of his pain
And by his knowledge justify
The guilty sons of men.]
["Ten thousand captive slaves,
Released from death and sin,
Shall quit their prisons and their graves
And own his power divine.]
["Heav'n shall advance my Son
To joys that earth denied;
Who saw the follies men had done,
And bore their sins, and died."]
poem by Isaac Watts
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Laodicea
Hear what the Lord, the great Amen,
The true and faithful Witness says!
He formed the vast creation's plan,
And searches all our hearts and ways.
To some he speaks as once of old,
I know thee, thy profession's vain;
Since thou art neither hot nor cold,
I'll spit thee from me with disdain.
Thou boasteth, I am wise and rich,
Increased in goods and nothing need;
And dost not know thou art a wretch,
Naked and poor, and blind and dead.
Yet while I thus rebuke, I love,
My message is in mercy sent;
That thou may'st my compassion prove,
I can forgive, if thou repent.
Wouldst thou be truly rich and wise?
Come, buy my gold in fire well tried,
My ointment to anoint thine eyes,
My robe, thy nakedness to hide.
See at thy door I stand and knock!
Poor sinner, shall I wait in vain?
Quickly thy stubborn heart unlock,
That I may enter with my train.
Thou canst not entertain a king,
Unworthy thou of such a guest!
But I my own provisions bring,
To make thy soul a heavenly feast.
poem by John Newton
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
The Mystery of The Church
The Mystery of God’s True Church, is men and women upon this earth.
Men and women upon this earth, brought together through New Birth.
They are called out from the earth, by The Lord’s Spirit during this birth.
The members are called to a New Life, and it is found in Jesus Christ.
Christ said He’d build His Church; it is God’s institution upon the earth.
The Church includes every nation, of the earth that accepts Salvation.
God had started first with the Jew, and then Christ added me and you.
The Church was not created by man, but is part of God’s Eternal Plan.
The Church is of a heavenly origin, far above the influences of all sin.
It is The Lord’s sovereign creation, to spread the Gospel of Salvation.
For there is no earthly institution, that can offer God’s Eternal solution.
The Church is not a building friend, but of people with a heavenly end.
The Church has no earthly foundation; it is built on Christ’s exaltation.
The Church has only one mediator, which is Jesus Christ, her creator.
The gates of Hades will not prevail, although all Satan’s forces do rail.
For Christ gained for all the victory, securing for us a home in Eternity.
On the cross Jesus bled and died, so we could be His Heavenly Bride.
From that death He rose again; we enter His Church once Born Again.
The Lord Jesus died in our stead, and of God’s Church He is the head.
Believers become the body unified, living new lives because He died.
The true Bride and body of Christ, is eagerly anticipating Eternal Life.
You enter in a sinner on the earth, to soon depart into Heaven’s mirth.
Into Eternal Bliss with Jesus Christ, and an endless joy of Eternal Life.
All the saints within God’s Church, from Christ only, get all their worth.
For they have been truly sanctified, under the blood of Christ who died.
By The Holy Spirit they are set apart, with a new mind and new heart.
And they are all of one single kind, as they all have The Savior’s mind.
The end of life is just a new start, to begin in Eternity when they depart.
On One Stone Shall Be Seven Eyes
Jesus Christ, the Lord's anointed,
Who his blood for sinners spilt;
Is the Stone by God appointed,
And the church is on him built:
He delivers all who trust him from their guilt.
Many eyes at once are fixed
On a person so divine;
Love, with aweful justice mixed,
In his great redemption shine:
Mighty Jesus! give me leave to call thee mine.
By the Father's eye approved,
Lo, a voice is heard from heav'n,
Sinners, this is my Beloved,
For your ransom freely given:
All offences, for his sake, shall be forgiven.
Angels with their eyes pursued him,
When he left his glorious throne;
With astonishment they viewed him
Put the form of servant on:
Angels worshipped him who was on earth unknown.
Satan and his host amazed,
Saw this stone in Zion laid;
Jesus, though to death abased,
Bruised the subtle serpent's head:
When to save us, on the cross his blood he shed.
When a guilty sinner sees him,
While he looks his soul is healed;
Soon this sight from anguish frees him,
And imparts a pardon sealed:
May this Saviour be to all our hearts revealed!
With desire and admiration,
All his blood-bought flock behold;
Him who wrought out their salvation,
And enclosed them in his fold:
Yet their warmest love, and praises, are too cold.
By the eye of carnal reason
Many view him with disdain;
How will they abide the season
When he'll come with all his train:
To escape him then they'll wish, but wish in vain.
How their hearts will melt and tremble
When they hear his aweful voice;
But his saints he'll then assemble,
As his portion and his choice;
And receive them to his everlasting joys.
poem by John Newton
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Lovest Thou Me?
(John, xxi.16)
Hark my soul! it is the Lord;
'Tis Thy Saviour, hear His word;
Jesus speaks and speaks to thee,
"Say poor sinner, lovst thou me?
"I deliver'd thee when bound,
And when bleeding, heal'd thy wound;
Sought thee wandering, set thee right,
Turn'd thy darkness into light.
"Can a woman's tender care
Cease towards the child she bare?
Yes, she may forgetful be,
Yet will I remember thee.
"Mine is an unchanging love,
Higher than the heights above,
Deeper than the depths beneath,
Free and faithful, strong as death.
"Thou shalt see my glory soon,
When the work of grace is done;
Partner of my throne shalt be;
Say, poor sinner, lovst thou me?"
Lord it is my chief complaint,
That my love is weak and faint;
Yet I love Thee and adore, --
Oh! for grace to love Thee more!
poem by William Cowper
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
How Are You Living?
Friend do you live your daily life, with a heart and mind for Christ?
Living life so Christ’s Light extends, into the world of your friends.
Are you mindful of all you say and do, truly living your life anew?
Forsaking all your former ways, while moving on to brighter days.
And do you live as if you knew, that Jesus travels along with you?
For everywhere you choose to go, Jesus Christ shall surely know.
And where you go, is your action, to fill your fleshly satisfaction?
Or are your choices pleasing to, Jesus Christ, who died for you?
Do you walk in newness of life, as you daily follow Jesus Christ?
Friend, how can I belong to Him, and continue to engage in sin?
We must not grieve The Spirit, by ignoring Truth when we hear it.
We must please the Spirit in all we do, as we live our lives anew.
My friend following Jesus has a cost, if you want to reach the lost.
Jesus himself paid the initial price, now we need to be a sacrifice.
This by living a life forsaking sin, so that unbelievers we can win.
We’re saved by Jesus so we can be; light upon a hill, for all to see.
From the fallen night we’ve come, to be a light for God’s Only Son.
With the dark, light has no place, once you’re saved by His Grace.
Once The Spirit lives in your heart, He my friend will never depart.
Will you quench The Spirit’s fire, listening to Satan an ancient liar?
We are to be separate friend, from a world that stands condemned.
Don’t let the darkness of the world, mar the message that we herald.
There’s no darkness in The One, who God sent as light for everyone.
Friend, it is His Son Jesus Christ, who is to be the beacon of our life.
(Copyright ©01/2006)
On Anne Allen
The wind blew keenly from the Western sea,
And drove the dead leaves slanting from the tree--
Vanity of vanities, the Preacher saith--
Heaping them up before her Father's door
When I saw her whom I shall see no more--
We cannot bribe thee, Death.
She went abroad the falling leaves among,
She saw the merry season fade, and sung--
Vanity of vanities the Preacher saith--
Freely she wandered in the leafless wood,
And said that all was fresh, and fair, and good--
She knew thee not, O Death.
She bound her shining hair across her brow,
She went into the garden fading now;
Vanity of vanities the Preacher saith--
And if one sighed to think that it was sere,
She smiled to think that it would bloom next year!
She feared thee not, O Death.
Blooming she came back to the cheerful room
With all the fairer flowers yet in bloom--
Vanity of vanities the Preacher saith--
A fragrant knot for each of us she tied,
And placed the fairest at her Father's side--
She cannot charm thee, Death.
Her pleasant smile spread sunshine upon all;
We heard her sweet clear laughter in the Hall--
Vanity of vanities the Preacher saith--
We heard her sometimes after evening prayer,
As she went singing softly up the stair--
No voice can charm thee, Death.
Where is the pleasant smile, the laughter kind,
That made sweet music of the winter wind?
Vanity of vanities the Preacher saith--
Idly they gaze upon her empty place,
Her kiss hath faded from her Father's face--
She is with thee, O Death.
poem by Edward Fitzgerald
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Ephesus
Thus saith the Lord to Ephesus,
And thus he speaks to some of us;
Amidst my churches, lo, I stand,
And hold the pastors in my hand.
Thy works, to me, are fully known,
Thy patience, and thy toil, I own;
Thy views of gospel truth are clear,
Nor canst thou other doctrine bear.
Yet I must blame while I approve,
Where is thy first, thy fervent love?
Dost thou forget my love to thee,
That thine is grown so faint to me?
Recall to mind the happy days
When thou wast filled with joy and praise;
Repent, thy former works renew,
Then I'll restore thy comforts too.
Return at once, when I reprove,
Lest I thy candlestick remove;
And thou, too late, thy loss lament;
I warn before I strike, Repent.
Hearken to what the Spirit saith,
To him that overcomes by faith;
The fruit of life's unfading tree,
In paradise his food shall be.
poem by John Newton
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
The Day of Judgement
Day of judgement, day of wonders!
Hark! the trumpet's awful sound,
Louder than a thousand thunders,
Shakes the vast creation round!
How the summons will the sinner's heart confound.
See the Judge, our nature wearing,
Cloth'd in majesty divine!
You who long for his appearing
Then shall say, "This God is mine!"
Gracious Saviour, own me in that day for thine!
At his call, the dead awaken,
Rise to life from earth and sea:
All the pow'rs of nature shaken
By his looks prepare to flee:
Careless sinner, what will then become of thee?
Horrors past imagination
Will surprise your trembling heart,
When you hear your condemnation,
"Hence, accursed wretch, depart!
"Thou with Satan and his angels have thy part!"
Satan, who now tries to please you,
Lest you timely warning take,
When that word is past, will seize you,
Plunge you in the burning lake:
Think, poor sinner, thy eternal all's at stake.
But to those who have confessed,
Lov'd and serv'd the Lord below,
He will say, "Come near, ye blessed,
"See the kingdom I bestow;
You for ever shall my love and glory know."
Under sorrows and reproaches,
May this thought your courage raise
Swiftly God's great day approaches,
Sighs shall then be chang'd to praise:
We shall triumph when the world is in a blaze.
poem by John Newton
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Hymn 43 part 2
The Christian's treasure.
1 Cor. 3:21.
How vast the treasure we possess!
How rich thy bounty, King of grace!
This world is ours, and worlds to come;
Earth is our lodge, and heav'n our home.
All things are ours: the gifts of God;
The purchase of a Savior's blood;
While the good Spirit shows us how
To use, and to improve them too.
If peace and plenty crown my days,
They help me, Lord, to speak thy praise;
If bread of sorrows be my food,
Those sorrows work my lasting good.
I would not change my blest estate
For all the world calls good or great;
And while my faith can keep her hold,
I envy not the sinner's gold.
Father, I wait thy daily will;
Thou shalt divide my portion still;
Grant me on earth what seems thee best,
Till death and heav'n reveal the rest.
poem by Isaac Watts
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!