Worship and Praise

From John 4:23-24:  [Jesus is speaking] “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship Him.  God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

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Praising with faith the Sabbath, the Lord’s Day

But, our lives needing to connect in other ways

 

Worshipping each day, receiving God’s serenity

Setting aside daily moments, faithful identity

 

Reading Scripture from the Lord’s Holy Word

Praying, praising, giving thanks—voices heard

 

Coming to the Lord with sincere-filled thoughts

Spending time with Him, connecting life’s dots

 

Sowing seeds of worship and praise with our God

Transforming by His love, perfect and unflawed

 

Reaping abounding harvest, singing with gladness

Witnessing God’s sacred harmony, never sadness

 

Filling our hungry hearts, opening up our minds

Listening to our Lord, He comes and truly finds

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From American pastor and Christian author, A. W. Tozer:  “If you will not worship God seven days a week, you do not really worship Him on one day a week.”

Theodore Epp Quote

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Light reveals righteousness, and it also reveals sin.

From Romans 1:16-17:  “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.  For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, ‘The one who is righteous will live by faith.'”

Transforming Life

From Romans 12:11:  “Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord.”

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Offering our bodies to our Father

As a living sacrifice to the Lord

Forever transformed, through His renewal

Bringing new life, by God’s sacred accord

 

Accepting God’s will with sober recourse

Remaining faithful, God living with us

His Word, always cleanses our sinful ways

With God’s plan, a Holy and perfect plus

 

God’s love is genuine, filled with His grace

Stepping forward, stoked with spirited zeal

Remaining steadfast, to all which is good

Serving God, escaping heavy ordeals

 

Steering ourselves, with total discipline

According to God’s proud expectations

Living and serving His Holy Kingdom

Avoiding the Enemy’s temptations

 

Remaining patient, despite life’s trials

Providing His strength, God leading us all

Walking in faith, taking the Lord’s high road

Living peacefully, following His call

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From the words of American pastor, Harry Emerson Fosdick:  “No horse gets anywhere until he is harnessed.  No life ever grows great until it is focused, dedicated, disciplined.”

 

Procrastinators Club

From 2 Corinthians 9:6:  “The point is this:  the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.”

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Hey you, yes you!

Sitting there alone

Life without a view

 

Lack of efficient action

Reaping fear and doubt

Living without traction

 

Being a loyal member

Procrastinators Club

Ever since November

 

Life’s emotional quicksand

Robbing your life rewards

Time to join a new band

 

Do you really desire?

To find true happiness

Without life’s misfires

 

Seeking God’s advice

He’ll always support you

His Grace pays the price

 

Spending little attention

With overwhelming fears

Can’t relax without tension

 

Take courage, now believe

Jesus conquers the world

Time for your life to achieve

 

Released from gloom

Fleeing this quagmire

Life ready to bloom

 

King’s Solomon’s words implant

Whoever watches the wind

Will never attempt to plant

 

Time to change is now

Adopt new life patterns

Sowing with a new plow

 

Here’s some simple advice

Now follow this amazing tip

Better than throwing dice

 

Do first things—first!

Better sooner, than later

Darkest clouds now burst

 

Each challenge, take it on

Looking fear in the face

Reaping rewards, feeling strong

 

Handling life, forever free

Tearing up my membership

Procrastinator, no longer me

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From American writer and lecturer, Dale Carnegie:  “Action breeds confidence and courage.  If you want to conquer fear, do not sit at home and think about it.  Go out and get busy.”

 

 

God’s Promises

From Matthew 7:13-14:  “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it.  For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

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Life tempting us with enticing shortcuts

Most of these never seem to bring success

Gods speaks honestly, always asking us

Did we burrow deeper, rather than guess?

 

Clever world flooding us with remedies

Formulas for a more successful life

Simple, surefire, easy to use, guaranteed

God’s formula, always true without strife

 

Never shy from following the Father

He doesn’t promise a road without bumps

God offers promises with blessed love

His way leading us forward, our hearts jump

 

Requiring patience, life’s a marathon

God remains our Rock, faithful and steadfast

His blessings fill our lives in countless ways

Our ship sails, with eternal hope amassed

 

Losing hope at times, seeking a quick fix

Encouragement and trust arrives from God

Offering us Grace, filled with peace and joy

Grateful, He accepts us, totally flawed

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From the words of Saint Teresa of Avila, “We ought to make some progress, however little, every day, and show some increase of fervor.  We ought to act as if we were at war–as, indeed, we are–and never relax until we have won the victory.” 

 

Leaving Room

From Galatians 1:15-16:  “But when God, who has set me apart before I was born and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son to me, so that I might proclaim Him among the Gentiles.”

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Life will sometimes serve us trials

God asking for some elbow room

Always leaving room for the Lord

Delivering light over our gloom

 

Never be surprised when God comes

At His choosing, His will descends

Always leaving room for the Lord

His Spirit pays real dividends

 

Looking out for God’s faithful love

Expecting Him to come close by

Always leaving room for the Lord

Never certain of how, when, why

 

Following God’s Holy commands

He stands at center of our selves

Always leaving room for the Lord

Transforming lives, from cluttered shelves

 

Just as Jesus stuns vengeful Saul

On a darkened Damascus road

Always leaving room for the Lord

Knowing our way, will just implode

 

Any given time, God breaks in

He blesses us with His surprise

Always leaving room for the Lord

Following His plan, always wise

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From Scottish evangelist and Christian teacher, Oswald Chambers:  “Always be in a state of expectancy, and see that you leave room for God to come in as He likes.” 

If I Was a . . .

This poem is inspired by a song which has been sung by many artists.  Bobby Darin and later Johnny Cash and June Carter recorded their versions of “If I Were a Carpenter.”   The song was written by Tim Hardin, and other artists have recorded and performed the song as well.  Here is Bobby Darin’s version:  “If I Were a Carpenter.”

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If I was a teacher

Bringing energy, passion, and patience

Transforming all into knowledge seekers

 

If I was a firefighter

Serving with unselfish duty and pride

Protecting all, making worries lighter

 

If I was an architect

Designing buildings for many uses

Looking ahead to challenging projects

 

If I was a farmer

Rising at dawn, working until sundown

Bringing a nation food, as God’s armor

 

If I was a nurse

Sharing with patient, compassionate care

Filling lives with hope, never for the worse

 

If I was a writer

Crafting words into stories and much more

Witnessing through eyes, open and brighter

 

If I was a musician

Creating good vibes through words and music

Bringing pleasure across generations

 

If I was a preacher

Instilling God’s Word with a church’s flock

Encouraged to be one of God’s teachers

 

If I was a soldier

Preserving peace and freedom in the world

Band of brothers, stand shoulder to shoulder

 

If I was a young tyke

Looking up to these inspiring adults

Growing up, each day feeling more alike

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Trusting in the Lord

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The teenage boy has been battling an aggressive form of brain cancer for months.  Mark has shown the unwavering courage of a young man who follows God without flinching.

His pastor, Wayne, visits Mark one afternoon.  The teen has been at the hospital for several days as he is undergoing another round of treatments to battle his cancer.  Wayne wants to share some of God’s Word with this courageous teenager.

Mark’s hair is gone.  His slender frame looks even thinner than Wayne remembers.  His young body is marshalling all of its resources to battle the foe within.

Mark’s bubbling smiles lights up when Wayne walks into his room.  He is thrilled to have a visitor stopping by.

To prevent transmitting any germs or infections, Wayne is gowned up.  He looks more like a skilled doctor than a pastor.

After several minutes of conversation, Mark surprises his pastor by sharing a verse from Proverbs 3:5:  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight.”

The fourteen year-old’s faith under such harsh circumstances is truly remarkable.

At the end of his visit, Wayne asks if he can pray over Mark.  Mark quietly says, “Certainly!”  The two of them share a few moments in prayer.

Walking down the hallway after leaving Mark’s room, Wayne thinks to himself, “I feel like Mark has ministered to me.  I come to bolster his spirits, yet he is the one who reminds me to always trust in God.”

This story is based on a true life experience of a fourteen year-old boy.  An entire community has rallied around him as he continues to battle cancer.  He recently shared the verse from Proverbs in a video which has been shared with many believers.  His witness to his Lord is inspiring indeed.  God’s peace.  

Charles Stanley Quote

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A person with no devotional life generally struggles with faith and obedience.

From Psalm 92:1-2:  “It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night.”

Charles Swindoll Quote

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God waits for you to seek His counsel.  If you act without discerning His timing, you may lose the smile of divine favor.  He will not bless what He has not ordained.

From 2 Corinthians 5:6-7:  “So we are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord–for we walk by faith, not by sight.”