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No one enters into the experience of entire sanctification without going through a “white funeral”–the burial of the old life.
From Romans 6:4: “Therefore we have been buried with Him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.”
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Love is the hardest lesson in Christianity; but, for that reason, it should be most our care to learn it.
From Mark 12:29-31: “Jesus answered, ‘The first is, Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.'”
The Bible offers a rich source of thanksgiving, hope, and deliverance as Psalm 107 inspires the text for this poem.
From Psalm 107:1-2: “O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, those He redeemed from trouble.”
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Thanking our Lord above
Seeing His wondrous deeds
His Holy, steadfast love
All humankind, He leads
Overwhelming distress
Crying out to the Lord
Discovering His light
Living by His accord
Bringing us from darkness
Satisfying our thirst
Saving us with His light
Loving us, always first
Filling endless hunger
Breaking these sinful chains
Reaching out to His light
Trusting God, with the reins
Halting all wickedness
Calming all stormy winds
Healing us with His light
Forgiving dark-filled sins
Praising our Redeemer
Hearing cries, not ignored
Delivering His light
Giving thanks to our Lord
Thanking our Lord above
Seeing His wondrous deeds
His Holy, steadfast love
All humankind, He leads
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From the words of American pastor and Christian author, Charles Swindoll: “Circumstances occur that could easily crush us. We can hand the circumstances to God and ask Him to take control or we can roll up our mental sleeves and slug it out.”
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Our faith becomes stronger as we express it; a growing faith is a sharing faith.
From 1 Timothy 2:7: “For this I was appointed a herald and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.”
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Through it all, God is with us, leading us, teaching us, humbling us, preparing us.
From Psalm 91:1-2: “You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.'”
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Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones; and when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake.
From Isaiah 43:18-19: “Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
Witnessing an early morning rain inspires the visions for this poem. It is amazing how a view through an open window can bring forth images to write from.
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Replenishing parched, barren land
Serenity’s rain, from God’s hand
Quenching desert’s eternal thirst
Nature smiling, joy now disbursed
Nourishing life with loving pride
Flora and fauna, at God’s side
Touching each leaf, stems from God’s love
Hues of green, colored from above
Singing with praise, birds bless this scene
Creation glowing, dazzling sheen
Sharing splendor, feeling at peace
Morning rain, grants life a new lease
Listening closely, hearing now
God’s serenity, takes a bow
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God tells Joshua
Meditating on His Word—
Still crucial today
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Being born of God
Overcoming life’s trials—
By our faith alone
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Tough times approaching
Trusting, now and forever—
Depending on God
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We are identified and known by the sort of fruit, the quantity of fruit, and the quality of fruit borne out in our daily conversation, conduct, and character.
From Galatians 5:22-25: “By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.
Our Heavenly Father, we rejoice and humbly receive your precious gift of a new day. Our hopes burn brighter as we give thanks for your blessing of this gift. Amen.
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Emerging each morning, a new dawn
Waiting outside our door, neatly wrapped
Walking next to us, God understands
Bringing us love, never feeling trapped
Designing His gift, a new day calls
Witnessing God’s deeds, each day unfolds
Allowing us, to live out each day
Feeling His Grace, hearts never grow old
Guarding us during times of trouble
Opening gates each day, His stronghold
Trusting in God, never forsaken
Singing His praises, humble yet bold
Kneeling and praying, as this day ends
Rejoicing, in all our Father sends
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From Psalm 9:10: “And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.”
