Today... 'My Banner
The Banner of Jesus is flying high
there nailed upon the cross was He to die.
With arms opened wide as a flag unfurled
as men passed by and their insults hurled.
Upon Calvary's hilltop the banner flies
as Jesus lays down His life for us and dies.
There the veil of the temple was torn in two
and heavens door opened we go through.
He said 'When I am hung upon the tree'
then I will draw Jews and Gentiles to me, '
To all who believe the cross leads to heaven
and all who come in repentance are forgiven.
Outstretched upon Calvary's cross I see
the full extent of Jesus' love for me.
The 'agape' love of God was outpoured
for this poor, vile sinner by Christ adored.
From the Root of Jesse the banner flies
'Come, enter the gates of heaven it cries.'
The Sovereign Lord beckons us to come
and calls us to our great heavenly home.
There praise shall be my glorious battle cry
and His great love my soul shall occupy.
Called into His Banqueting house above
where His great banner over me is love.
(see also the additional information in the Poet's notes box below)
Related quotes
Today... 'The Ensign of the People
Ensign of the people for all to see
The One Who comes from the root of Jesse
Now Jew and Gentile come to Him for rest
For in Christ all shall be forever blest
Flying high on the cross of Calvary
Is the Ensign of God for you and me
God loved the world and gave His Only Son
Who through His death the victory has won
From the Root of Jesse the ensign flies
"Come, enter the gates of heaven it cries."
The Sovereign Lord beckons me to come
and calls me to my great heavenly home
There praise is my glorious battle cry
and His great love my soul shall occupy
Called into His banqueting house above
Where His great banner over me is love
(see also the additional information in the Poet's notes box below)
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)
Oh where is heavens door?
Where do we mortals find that narrow heavenly Door?
Through which millions of people have entered before?
It is found at the cross of Jesus The Crucified
where He paid for our sins and laid down His life and died.
With His arms outstretched so wide and saying, 'Come to me'
there we find forgiveness by His death at Calvary.
Then we see the Door before us swing open so wide
allowing us to pass through the veil to heavens side.
Calvary's cross is the Door through which we can go through.
There is no other entrance only this door will do.
For He is 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 go through 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
and there forever with the Lord Jesus they shall abide.
Each one was chosen by God before the world began
Included by His grace as part of salvations plan.
Written after reading John 10: 7-10
Today... 'The Finisher of Faith
Ascending into heaven to triumphant applause
the battle was over and the victory was Yours.
Death had now been vanquished and the grave was opened wide
'It is Finished' was the great shout of triumph You cried.
The work is behind You the price for sin had been paid
the sepulchre was empty where Your body once laid.
You had endured the cross and despised its dreadful shame.
The heavens rejoice and Your great victory proclaim.
And there seated at the right hand of God I can see
my Lord Jesus Christ Who has Finished the faith for me.
For my great Author and the Finisher of the faith
won the victory over Satan and now I'm safe.
Despising the shame and enduring Calvary's cross
You came to seek and to save this poor sheep that was lost.
It is finished I hear that great victorious cry
Resounding throughout heaven as the years pass on by
(see also the additional information in the Poet's notes box below)
Today... 'The Comforter
This poor man cried and the Lord heard his voice
Placed a new song in his mouth causing him to rejoice
The great Comforter from heaven came to comfort me
With His arms outstretched on that cross at Calvary.
The Holy Spirit convicted me of sin and shame
And showed me that Jesus had borne the blame
So I knelt there before the cross to confess
with true conviction my unworthiness.
My sins forgiven and my soul began to revive
The Holy Spirit empowered me I came alive
Then as my constant companion he illumined me
Opening my eyes to all spiritual reality
Leading me into the Truth written in God's word
And teaching me more about Jesus my Lord.
(see also the additional information in the Poet's notes box below)
Where would I be without the cross?
I went back to the cross again in despair
and knelt at the feet of Jesus there.
'It's me dear Lord, I've come once more'
'For I've been here many times before.'
'I know my child, ' my Lord said to me
'But I'm so glad that you've come to Me.
My love for you is so unconditional
you can come to Me at any time at all.'
'Lord, ' I said, 'How can this ever be
that you could show such love to me.
For I am weak and prone to sin
and I feel so dreadful within.'
Then Jesus said, 'My child, Look at Me.'
and I gazed into His eyes to see
the love of God shining from inside
and His arms opened there so wide.
Outstretched as they were in loving care
for that repentant sinner kneeling there.
Held out for me in embracing love
the 'agape' love of God poured from above.
'My God, ' my soul cried out in shame
as tears flowed from my eyes again
'Such love is undeserved by me
a wretched man of clay and misery.'
'The wages of sin is death' Jesus cried
and the law must be fully satisfied.'
'So your sin has been laid upon Me
and by my stripes you've been set free'
'My love is poured out for everyone
who comes to Me as you have done.'
'For there was no other way for Me
to forgive you and set you free'
**************
Where would I be without the cross?
Weighed down with my load of sin and loss.
Struggling against unnumbered foes
With no Saviours love and so full of woes
Praise God for the cross of Christ
For His love and wonderful sacrifice
For the victory that Jesus has won
For the new that I have now begun
Today... 'Living Bread
The Living Bread came from heaven
down upon earth to dwell
That we might eat of Him and live
and thus be saved from hell.
To taste and see that the Lord was good
I went to Calvary.
Saw Jesus on that cross of wood
broken there for me.
Your body was broken
and Your blood poured
I was forgiven
Thank You Lord.
******
In Your banqueting house I stayed
on the table I could see
The Bread and the wine had been laid
Speaking such love to me
Bread was broken
the wine was poured
I stand forgiven
Thank You Lord
(see also the additional information in the Poet's notes box below)
Great And Mighty
Great and mighty is The Lord, while loved by many and adored,
For all that He’s done for us, our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus;
When in Him we put our trust, sinners destined to return to dust,
He granted to us a New Birth, providing to us our Eternal Worth.
Now seated in Heaven above, He’s so deserving of all our love,
Reigning from a Throne on high, Lord and Creator, of you and I;
Of all life Christ is the Creator, and to many Christ is our Savior,
This when we’re moved by Grace, to accept God’s love by faith.
Ruling over every single nation, is the Author of man’s salvation,
Aware of everything down here; believers haven’t a need to fear;
For the plan, which God’s begun, will be completed by His Son,
Who, purchased us on Calvary, now is preparing us for Eternity.
“It is finished” Christ did cry, finishing redemption, for you and I,
As all work to cleanse us from sin, was fully completed by Him;
By Christ’s work we’re forgiven, on a cross as nails were driven,
Into His feet, hands and side, when on the cross for us He died.
Now risen to Glory, is Jesus Christ, to offer all men Eternal Life,
A new life, anyone can receive, if in The Lord, they only believe;
And Great and Mighty you’ll proclaim, lifting praise to His name,
As a member of God’s Family, with a home provided in Eternity.
(Copyright ©02/2010)
I Stand In Awe
Indeed once again I stand in awe, as God is so big and I’m so small,
And yet, He showed His love for me, by sending His Son to Calvary,
Sent not to be praised by men, but so that He would be condemned,
As Christ had come to this earth, so that I could have a second birth.
Friend, once again, I stand amazed, that a sinner, like me was raised,
Raised up by God to a New Life, through His Only Son, Jesus Christ,
And now positioned in Heaven above, sealed forever by God’s Love,
Paying for all men, sin’s full price, by sending Jesus as our Sacrifice.
As death is the penalty for our sin, and that was all placed upon Him,
Upon Jesus, God’s Eternal Son, not simply for me, but for everyone,
For all the sin of this entire world, upon Him, God’s Wrath was hurled,
Down upon the Cross of Calvary; God’s wrath meant for you and me.
In truth I’m humbled by the thought, that salvation for all was wrought,
Truly, for each and every nation, affirmed by Christ’s own declaration,
“It Is Finished” while on the cross, God’s Salvation, for all sinners lost,
As all the world’s Eternal Creator, became for all men Lord and Savior.
All of our punishment, Christ endured, while God’s Wrath was poured,
Upon God’s Lamb, in our place, as He established this Age of Grace,
With Christ’s act He would preserve, an Eternal Life, we don’t deserve,
As Holy Children of God’s Family, to reign with Jesus Christ Eternally.
(Copyright ©02/2009)
Let love of Jesus Christ…
Let love of Jesus Christ
Goad you to spread the Word
Across the world to all
And gather souls for God.
Let love of Jesus Christ
Help you to sacrifice
Your life to follow Him
On the road to heaven.
Let love of Jesus Christ
Make you carry your cross
And walk in the footsteps
Of Christ to Calvary.
Let love of Jesus Christ
Serve to encounter Him
In miraculous ways
Reinforcing your faith.
Let love of Jesus Christ
Help you to realize
The aim of earthly life
Is keeping soul sinfree.
Let love of Jesus Christ
Help you to sing and pray
For conversion of souls
And that more may see God!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 9-6-2010
poem by John Celes

Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Good Friday...
Behold the wood that went to make the cross
That bore the Saviour Lord, King Jesus Christ:
The holy cross at Calvary on which
Was hung, the Redeemer of mankind race!
That man was only Son of God in flesh,
Who suffered, shed His precious blood as price
For every sin of everyone on earth,
Of Adam and of Eve in lineage!
It wasn’t about the cross that Jesus bore;
It was about the One who hung on it!
He came to earth as Mary’s baby boy,
And gave to men the Good News, peace and joy!
The cross of wood assumed significance
When Jesus died upon it for our sins;
The sacrifice supreme was love of God
For creature man of clay whom He had made!
When Christ resurrected upon third day,
And won o’er death and satan for all times,
The holy cross became the weapon sole
That scares away the devils back to hell!
The cross became the symbol of Christians,
Reminding man of Salvation for all,
As Christ had paid the price on our behalf,
And turned to be the Truth, Light, Way to God!
The holy cross beckons each one of us
To take up each one’s cross and follow Christ;
It is the only hope for all mankind
As life on earth becomes so meaningful!
God’s Love was born on Christmas day as Christ!
Man’s sins nailed Him to death upon the cross!
Christ’s obeisance to Father freed mankind
If repentant, from Fiery Pit of hell!
Reflect on passions Christ had undergone,
Before He died upon the holy cross;
Follow His teachings and precepts for man;
Heaven is nigh for sinners penitent!
(22-04-11)
poem by John Celes

Submitted by Poetry Lover
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What Used To Be
I was too, once deceived, but through God’s Word I believed,
Knowledge of God, I had none, but then I embraced His Son.
I was too, a sinner lost, but then I read about Calvary’s cross,
Where The Lord was crucified, and for all my sin He had died.
Though darkness was all around, by Christ Jesus I was found,
Giving me through His Light, a path to life, out from my night.
Christ sent me the Holy Spirit, to teach me Truth when I hear it,
To grow in the knowledge of Him, who saved me from my sin.
I was separated from a Holy God, upon this fallen earthly sod,
But, brought into His family, through Christ’s Cross at Calvary.
In my trespasses, I was dead, no matter what my religion said,
But, from The Son, Jesus Christ, I was given by God New Life.
In my previous life I was all alone, left on earth to simply roam,
Now my Shepherd and my guide, Christ, is always by my side.
Once I had lived with uncertainty, about the time called eternity,
Now I know through His Grace, in heaven for me awaits a place.
A place for me’s been secured, by Jesus Christ my loving Lord,
Where in His presence I shall be, and, throughout all of Eternity.
And friend God wants you to know, you can have a place to go,
To live with Him in heaven above, provided by our Savior’s love.
(Copyright ©08/2007)
Shadow of The Cross
In the shadow of Christ’s cross, is every soul and sinner lost,
Every soul upon God’s earth, with sin tainting their own worth,
With His light put on all pride; the reason why Christ had died,
Carrying out His Father’s will, when lifted high on Calvary’s hill,
Lifted up for all men to see, was Christ the Lord of all Eternity.
He was nailed up to pay the cost, of all the sin of sinners lost,
Lifted high as God’s Sacrifice, to pay for man an eternal price,
From on that cross at Calvary, blood did flow for you and me,
Blood of the Spotless Lamb, to pay the penalty of sinful man,
Worthy to atone for all, but one; Jesus Christ, God’s only Son.
From that cross to the grave, for all of those God would save,
Through faith in God’s Son, the Savior who died for everyone,
Now lifted high for all of us, the One in whom today men trust,
Seated upon His Eternal Throne, interceding for all of His own,
Men who at the cross believed, from Him, eternal life received.
Now all whom God did save, enter into eternal life, not a grave,
Truly saved by God’s Sacrifice, to be with His Son in Paradise,
Freed from sin’s eternal penalty, through the love from Calvary,
Fully cleansed in Calvary’s tide; blood out of our Savior’s side,
Purged of all our sinful dross, while in the shadow of the cross.
(Copyright ©04/2008)
Today... 'Glory
Images or idols can never replace
our great God of wondrous Glory and Grace.
How can we forget the Lord of Heaven
Who suffered that we might be forgiven?
Come, join now with me in singing His praise
and let us our heavenly anthem raise
with the harmony of worship and of love
to our Glorious Lord Who reigns above.
Glory and all Glory everlasting be
To Christ Jesus Who gave His life for me.
I sing praise to my Lord of Glory
as I tell salvations wondrous story.
(see also the additional information in the Poet's notes box)
Real Meaning Of Life
The real meaning of present life, begins at The Cross of Christ,
The cross on Mount Calvary, where Christ died for you and me,
Anywhere you travel on this sod, the Cross points men to God,
With a meaning far much higher, than any human earthly desire.
The Cross, purposed in this life, for man's Savior, Jesus Christ,
For the earthly life of Christ Jesus, not for Him, but for all of us,
His purpose came with a price, which was to be God's sacrifice,
As The Lord God purposed for Him, to be The Lamb for our sin.
Christ's example is for all men, in this world, God did condemn,
After sin had entered the earth, then The Lord put down a curse;
With a plan God had initiated, in a place where Christ was hated,
Crying for Him to be crucified; for them and All, Christ had died.
The Lord had left Heaven's majesty, to die for sinners at Calvary,
Surrendering His life for sinful man, all part of God's eternal plan,
Where Christ became sin for us, so we could gain righteousness,
This that through Jesus Christ, fallen man could attain eternal life.
For believers now on this earth, our present life has eternal worth,
Now with that promise of paradise, we are to be a living sacrifice,
Surrendering to God, all our life, to be witnesses for Jesus Christ,
So others, by the Cross of Calvary, may also secure life eternally.
Praise The Cross Of Jesus
Today I praise the cross of Jesus, where He died and bled for me.
For on that very cross of Jesus, His bloody death has set me free.
Christ came to die for all of us, upon that bloody cross of Calvary.
And upon Him I place my trust, from this day through all Eternity.
It was upon the cross of Christ, that He came to die so I could live.
Christ came to offer to us His life, the gift His Father chose to give.
Jesus came to be our sacrifice, so that all our sins God will forgive.
It is through the blood of Jesus Christ, that I can now eternally live.
Nothing was done on my part, but to accept Christ and to believe.
Christ even moved upon my heart, with The Spirit that I received.
New Life in me He would start, the life The Spirit would conceive.
And for me, a message to impart, for New Life you must believe.
You must believe in Jesus Christ, who came to save you and me.
He sent The Spirit into this strife, to give us eyes so we could see,
That Jesus came to give men life, so that they could live eternally.
This life is found in Jesus Christ, and is from the blood of Calvary.
Friend, there is only but one name, that men can lift up and raise,
For no common man can claim, any credit and seek men’s praise.
No man’s glory and or fame, can compare to The Ancient of Days.
And Jesus Christ is the only name, that by all men will be praised.
Forgiveness From Calvary
When by God a soul is forgiven, the Spirit of Christ you are given,
The Holy Spirit marks a life, forgiven by God through Jesus Christ,
Friend when we come to Calvary, Christ changes both you and me,
Making a soul into a New Creation, through His Power of Salvation.
That soul with God, in one accord, as they come to Christ as Lord,
Now forgiven of their sinful past, they receive new life that will last,
A new life beginning at the cross, when cleansed of all sin's dross,
Then looking to the Resurrection, Christ gives us His new direction.
A new direction while on the earth, when we experience a new birth,
When born through The Spirit above, born of God, in Christ's love,
His love, that forgives all our sin, changing each heart deep within,
Creating forgiveness in each heart, that God, to others, can impart.
When by The Lord we are forgiven, by Christ's Spirit we are driven,
To forgive others, just like Christ, this for us, is not a big sacrifice,
Considering all that God has done, for men, through His Only Son,
His love can flow from each of us, as we forgive, like Christ Jesus.
Any forgiveness that from us is shown, is not from us, on our own,
But, through the Spirit of Christ, who, manifests for God a new life,
A new life for the Glory of God, to touch hearts on this earthly sod,
With the forgiving spirit of Calvary, that leads souls to life eternally.
(Copyright ©04/2012)
Today... 'The Great High Priest
Without beginning and without end
Jesus is the poor Sinners best Friend.
From the order of Melchizedek He came
to die for my sins and to bear my shame.
Now back to the heaven He has gone
to intercede there for everyone.
My name is graven upon His hands
and He has fulfilled the laws demands.
Jesus Christ the Son of God Most High
Intercedes for me so I won't die
Before the throne He cries 'Father forgive'
and He gave His life that I might live.
This great King of kings and Prince of Peace
is none other than my Great High Priest.
Praise God that He is my Saviour too
and can do that which no one else can do.
(see also the additional information in the Poet's notes box below)
God's Simple Way of Salvation
God's desire is for all men to come to repentance from all the earth,
Indeed all men must come to Salvation in Christ through a new birth.
For all men everywhere have been born naturally into a life of sin,
And every man has a soul that Christians should be seeking to win.
God's way of Salvation is foolishness to those who ultimately perish,
But for all those saved by The Blood it's something we truly cherish.
The unbelievers perish because they refuse to believe and be saved,
And because they fail to love the Truth they continue to be depraved.
These words may seem very harsh and even quite judgmental to some,
But my friend Jesus said to all, if anyone is thirsty, let him come.
Like the woman at the well, Jesus knew my sins and what was in store,
And like the woman Jesus told me you're forgiven, go and sin no more.
And a sinful soul is what I am, so I humbly entreated The Son of Man,
So on a cross a sinless man washed my sins in The Blood of The Lamb.
Filled with sin and shame that day I accepted God's Great Salvation,
And now my life I live for Him, with much due love and appreciation.
On the cross all alone, Christ took the punishment for all of my sin,
Now with His love and power above I live to seek out souls to win.
For one sinless man on Calvary died to cleanse and set sinners free,
So I humbly serve That Man from Calvary pointing sinners to Eternity.
(Copyright © 06/2003)
That Old Rugged Cross
That cross so simple in design, spans throughout all of time.
As simple as that cross may be, it reaches well into eternity.
A wooden beam upon a tree, lifted high on Mount Calvary.
For all the saints of the past, it capped a hope that will last.
As that hope they waited for, was fulfilled through our Lord.
For the saints of latter years, it would conquer all our fears,
As death was swallowed in victory, on that cross at Calvary.
Today the cross of Jesus Christ, can grant victory to any life.
From that single horrific place, God began this age of Grace.
While many were dismayed, the Love of God was displayed.
By God, Christ was shunned, as wrath was sent on His Son.
Wrath meant for you and me, which was poured at Calvary.
God’s own Son bearing disgrace; a sinless lamb in our place.
In agony Christ was seized, until God’s anger was appeased,
As Christ paid the ultimate price, becoming for all a sacrifice.
He died and bled on the cross, washing away our sinful dross.
The sinless man bearing the cost, to bring to God, sinners lost.
And all who come to Jesus Christ, by the cross gain New Life,
As that bloody cross of Calvary, leads all men towards Eternity.
That rugged, yet simple design, has truly stood the test of time.
(Copyright ©04/2006)