Divine Actions (Haiku Series #129)

Reconciliation

Between God and man

There’s but one mediator—

Christ’s eternal bridge

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Revelation

God’s goodness and love

Revealed in His Son Jesus—

Giving us new life

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Compassion

Greatest commandment

Share love with one another—

In faith, follow Christ

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No Greater Love

From 1 John 4:9-10:  “God’s love was revealed among us in this way:  God sent His only Son into the world so that we might live through Him.  In this is love, not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

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Jesus shows us God’s way

No greater love than His

Sharing all of himself

For us, taking our quiz

 

Coming in human form

Living His humble way

Obedient to God

For each sinner, He prays

 

Taking our place in death

His body bears our sins

Shedding His precious blood

Defeating death, God wins

 

Above darkest valleys

Highest mountains tremble

No greater love shall breathe

Saintly choir assembles

 

Greatest exchange ever

Washing sin, white as snow

Christ’s love covers darkness

Spirit forever glows

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From Philippians 2:9-11:  “Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Oswald Chambers Quote

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Darkness comes by the sovereignty of God.  Are we prepared to let God do as He likes with us–prepared to be separated from conscious blessings?  Until Jesus Christ is Lord, we all have ends of our own to serve; our faith is real, but it is not permanent yet.

From John 16:32-33:  “The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each one to his home, and you will leave me alone.  Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me.  I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution.  But take courage; I have conquered the world!”

Sharing Precious Love

From Psalm 118:26:  “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.  We bless you from the house of the Lord.”

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Rejoice with this new day

God sharing precious love

Blessed Word guides our way

Behold gifts from above

 

Extend love to others

Family and friends shine

Each sister and brother

Feeling God’s love, divine

 

Christ sheds blood, out of love

Building faith’s cornerstone

Treasured, caring, proud of

Never feeling alone

 

Remembering God’s saints

Memories still alive

Cherished thoughts now repaint

Holding tight each archive

 

Lord is God, brings His light

Giving thanks for His grace

Blessed angels take flight

Precious love shall embrace

 

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From Psalm 118:1:  “O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever!”

Charles Swindoll Quote

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We are not simply to feel or to read or to hear or to see, but to take into our bodies the taste of our Savior’s sacrifice.

From Psalm 34:8:  “O taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in Him.”

Oswald Chambers Quote

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We can never fathom the agony . . . Gethsemane and Calvary stand for something unique; they are the gateway into Life for us.

From Matthew 26:36-38:  “Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray.’  He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated.  Then He said to them, ‘I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.'”

Dwelling Within

From John 14:10-11:  “Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does His works.  Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves.”

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Lord’s tree of life, saving us

Son of Man, bearing our flesh

Each morning, rising with us

Faith, hope, and love shall refresh

 

In His death, life be reborn

Like faithful rivers, love flows

Christ’s awesome mystery breathes

From darkened tomb, Jesus rose

 

Heavenly truth speaks, let’s hear

Love transforms through acts and words

Both mirror journey of Christ

His message, no longer blurred

 

Christ leading, we will follow

Always near, dwelling within

His hand steadies stumbling steps

Salvation forgiving sin

 

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Much of this poem is inspired by the hymn “Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery,” which is part of a morning devotional I regularly read and study. 

Never Alone (Elfchen Series #46)

Always

Father

Almighty God

Never sits silent

From sunrise to sunset

Righteousness

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Solitary

Voices

Seeking attention

Single voice calls

Come, walk with Me

Jesus

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Blessing

Journey

Never ends

From Calvary’s cross

Resurrection faithfully assures tomorrow’s

Hope

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This series of poems (written in the German-inspired style of Elfchen or Elevenie) shares a total of eleven words in each poem, with a sequence by line of one, two, three, four, and one words.

Marked by God

From Romans 12:1-2:  “I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

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True Christians, marked by God

Born again, in Jesus Christ

 

Love always be genuine

Grasping all of life’s goodwill

Forsaking evil’s shadows

God’s presence never stands still

 

Cherishing one another

Actions bring honor to all

Serving Heavenly Father

Holy Spirit’s blessings call

 

Rejoicing, tomorrow’s hope

Enduring patience, breathing

Persevering in prayer

Rejoicing, tomorrow’s hope

Enduring patience, breathing

Persevering in prayer

Christ builds durable sheathing

 

Assisting with others’ needs

Sharing kindness with many

Walk as brothers and sisters

Heaven’s home offers plenty

 

Stay noble, take life’s high road

Hungry rivals, feed with love

Live as one, in harmony

Good News comes from God above

 

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From Romans 12:19-21:  “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’  No, ‘if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.’  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Charles Stanley Quote

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To flourish and grow, a person must be completely dependent on Christ for spiritual nutrition.  That involves drawing near to Him each morning through His Word and prayer and receiving His Grace all day long.

From Isaiah 55:6-7:  “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near; let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the Lord, that He may have mercy on them, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.”