Worthy Soldier

From 2 Timothy 2:3-4: “Share in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving in the army gets entangled in everyday affairs; the soldier’s aim is to please the enlisting officer.”

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Born as blessed children of God

Learning the Bible’s sacred truth

Strong in grace of Savior Jesus

Worthy soldier matures from youth

 

Listening to God’s witnesses

Faithful, Godly people speaking

Maturing in Father’s Spirit

Daily blessings from Christ’s teachings

 

Humbly serving in God’s army

Following footsteps, walked by Christ

Bolstered by our own suffering

Clutching faith, never underpriced

 

Our Father’s way, rich truth to say

Bringing total understanding

His Holy Word comes without chains

Gospel, forever commanding

 

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From 2 Timothy 2:11-13:  “The saying is sure:  If we have died with Him, we will also live with Him; if we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will also deny us; if we are faithless, He remains faithful—for He cannot deny Himself.”

William Law Quote

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He who has learned to pray has learned the greatest secret of a holy and happy life.

From James 5:16:  “Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed.  The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.”

Night

From Colossians 1:13-14 “He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

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From the Creator, comes the day’s light

Why then, is there perpetual night?

 

Sin-filled darkness, traverses borders

Nations breathing endless disorders

 

Not a single country shall be spared

Few if any, seem ready . . . prepared

 

Partisan turmoil ignites unrest

Another sleepless night, minus rest

 

Social illness parks at each corner

Past ills, leaving many a mourner

 

Violence, injustice never pause

Out of this gloom, marches a new cause

 

Shroud of night’s blackness, tearing apart

Light conquers night, crashing our Lord’s heart

 

Blood-stained Cross, now-empty tomb proclaim

Son of Man, Son of God lights new flame 

 

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From Revelation 22:5:  “And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.”

Eternal Presence (Elfchen Series #43)

Obeying

Child

Of God

Respect your Father

With love and obedient

Heart

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Needing

Weariness

Day’s trials

God’s soothing Word

Heals fragile, tender hearts

Peace

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Seeking

Focus

Life’s attention

God’s secure refuge

Stabilized by His love

Jesus

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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.

Robert Schuller Quote

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Tough times never last, but tough people do.

From Hebrews 12:1-2:  “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Follow His Footsteps

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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Imperfect humans

Walking darkest trails

World twists upside down

Christ calls, without fail

 

World crying out with

Endless, empty claims

Filled with dead end thoughts

Christ drowns looming flames

 

Noisy distractions

Countless temptations

Follow His footsteps

Christ’s supplications

 

Waking to darkness

God’s will lights each day

Struggling with life’s sin

Christ bridges the way

 

Share genuine love

Holding fast to good

Serving the Father

Christ transforms driftwood

 

Zealous in spirit

Rejoicing in hope

Walk with humbleness

Christ’s love helps us cope

 

Marked with our Lord’s truth

Walk with Christian steps

Soul and mind renewed

Follow Christ’s footsteps

 

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From Hebrews 6:19-20:  “We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters the inner shrine behind the curtain, where Jesus, a forerunner on our behalf, has entered, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”

Charles Stanley Quote

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When you are feeling fearful, concerned, confused, or even angry, look to God’s Word, and take comfort in Jesus’ promise that the persecuted will be blessed.

From Matthew 5:10-12:  “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Faith’s Testaments (Haiku Series #119)

Love

Brothers and sisters

God calling us to freedom—

Share our love with all

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Mission

Loving the Father

Born into human likeness—

Christ empties himself

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Submission

Trusting His guidance

Living in love of Jesus—

Submit to His will

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Oswald Chambers Quote

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Goodness and purity ought never to attract attention to themselves, they ought simply to be magnets to draw to Jesus Christ.

From John 3:28:30:  [John the Baptist is speaking] “You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah, but I have been sent ahead of Him.’  He who has the bride is the bridegroom.  The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears Him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice.  For this reason my joy has been fulfilled.  He must increase, but I must decrease.”