Feeling His Joy

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 to 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.”

person standing on hand rails with arms wide open facing the mountains and clouds

Photo by Nina Uhlíková on Pexels.com

God’s footprints, visible for eternity

Filling our hearts with His joy, perfectly

 

Our Lord’s joy remains forever man’s strength

Overcoming the wicked, godless and fleeting

When distressed, our Lord brings answers

Sadness and worry turn to joy, never retreating

 

Through God, He restores the joy of Salvation

The Lord’s highway steers us on His Holy Way

Justice arrives, bringing joy to the righteous

For God’s Word, keeping all from going astray

 

Joy is a choice, feeling our Lord’s countenance

When tackling life’s endless, inevitable trials

Consider every one of them, nothing but joy

Walking with God, feeling joy with every mile

 

Faith produces endurance for God’s community

Endurance leads to maturity from God’s hand

Maturity through God, brings lasting, final joy

Trusting God’s Holy Word all across this land

 

God’s Kingdom delivers righteousness and peace

Through the Holy Spirit, souls experience joy

Clapping hands, singing praise to our Holy Lord

Redeemed man walks, filled with gladness and joy

 

Prophets foretell of the coming of a new King

Our Messiah’s birth brings magnificent joy

Joy later shattered on a bitter, bloody Cross

Only to defeat death, with Resurrection’s joy

 

Living as part of God’s redeemed, feeling His joy

Fruits of the Spirit sharing love, peace, and joy

 

christ the redeemer

Photo by Matheus Bertelli on Pexels.com

Martin Luther Quote

pink petaled flower on human hand

Photo by Kristina Nor on Pexels.com

I have held many things in my hands, and have lost them all, but whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess.

From James 5:11:  “Indeed we call blessed those who showed endurance.  You have heart of the endurance of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.”

Monday Memories: God’s Mighty Fortress

red castle tower

Photo by Silvia Corradin on Pexels.com

I awaken with a heavy heart today

Sleeping later than usual if I may

 

My thoughts are with those in dire need

Hoping their lives will blossom to please

 

When a person cares about others nearby

Feeling their sadness and sorrow going by

 

It causes me to really stop and think

Dashing my energy whenever I blink

 

I feel like running to those who suffer so

Forgetting the many miles that I must go

 

I reach for my Bible at this morning hour

Reading God’s word that forever towers

 

His amazing grace and love always fill me up

Plugging the vacuum of a sinner who’s corrupt

 

My Bible journey transports me to Psalm 31

Allowing the words to reach out, one by one

 

I pursue refuge with my almighty God, my Lord

Delivering to me His righteousness, like a sword

 

God has created a holy, mighty fortress for all

Carrying all of us to a safe place before we fall

 

Lord, remove me from this netting that holds thee

Allowing my troubles to fall as I drop to my knees

 

I extend my troubled hand out to His

Guiding me to bless Him and all that is

 

My Lord has redeemed me to stand firm

Sending me forth to help others in return

Waking up on a morning when my own heart was indeed very heavy, God transformed my attitude in His way.  Before writing this poem, I was reading a short devotional, and the Biblical text sent me to  Psalm 31:1-5.  Use the link to read these inspiring verses.

Deliverance

woman looking at sea while sitting on beach

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

From Psalm 5:11-12:  “But let all who take refuge in You rejoice; let them ever sing for joy.  Spread Your protection over them, so that those who love Your name may exult in You.  For You bless the righteous, O Lord; You cover them with favor as with a shield.”

Crying out to our Father

Praying, please hear our voices

Facing distress, listen O God

Standing here, our only choice

 

Bringing Holy Deliverance

Saving forsaken sinners

Abounding and steadfast love

Cooling sin, let it simmer

 

Taking a knee before God

Marking truthful paths with hope

Singing a new song, filled with joy

Walking along life’s tightrope

 

Knowing our thoughts, gracious God

Following His faithful love

Helping reconnect life’s dots

Rescuing from sin’s tight glove

 

Conductor shouts “All Aboard”

Covering us with God’s favor

Sending Grace, freely to all

Offering life with a new flavor

low angle photo grayscale of person tightrope walking

Photo by Marcelo Moreira on Pexels.com

 

 

 

Receiving Peace

photo of person standing on cliff

Photo by Angelo Duranti on Pexels.com

From John 14:25-27:  “I have said these things to you while I am still with you.  But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.  Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”

Receiving peace, covering far and near

Generating from God’s genuine love

Peace be within us, God blesses our souls

Through His Word, accepting grace from above

 

Tranquility resting, among God’s flock

Lord forever standing, with heaven’s peace

Surpassing all of our understanding

Jesus lives, delivering life’s new lease

 

Rely on Christ, seeking His inner peace

Through our Savior, nurturing hearts and minds

In faithfulness, accepting Him as Lord

Teach us to follow, salvation we find

 

Living Holy Spirit, guided by God

Transforming love, joy, peace—granted from God

 

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Charles Swindoll Quote

blue sky clouds cloudscape cloudy

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Remember, God lives in a realm that transcends all.  He is all-powerful.  And when God is ready to move, He moves.

From Job 19:25:  “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that at last He will stand upon the earth.”

Infinite God

left human hand photo

Photo by Jonas Ferlin on Pexels.com

From 1 Peter 5:6-7:  “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you in due time.  Cast all our anxiety oh Him, because He cares for you.”

God, our Creator

In Heaven above

Standing powerful

Sends infinite love

 

Father in Heaven

Promises fulfill

Support and courage

His infinite skill

 

Read God’s Holy Word

Be bold, life begins

His love filled with care

Grace overcomes sin

 

Walking with our Lord

His strong hands extend

Trust always in Him

Whatever contends

 

Miraculous brings

Infinite outcomes

Filled with sacred love

Like a beating drum

 

Our finite minds weep

Lack of faith descends

Our infinite God

Holds, never to bend

 

Our Lord’s specialty

Impossible makes

Genuine and true

His love, no mistake

 

Rely on God’s ways

Hopeless turns to hope

Prayer lifts worry

Walking life’s tightrope

 

God’s eternal love

Endures forever

He holds on to us

With faith, whenever

art board carpentry carved

Photo by Mike on Pexels.com

Henri Nouwen Quote

blur cartography close up concept

Photo by slon_dot_pics on Pexels.com

A spiritual discipline is necessary in order to move slowly form an absurd to an obedient life, from a life filled with noisy worries to a life in which there is some inner space where we can listen to our God and follow His guidance.

From Psalm 37:23-24:  “Our steps are made firm by the Lord, when He delights in our way; though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong, for the Lord holds us by the hand.”

Henri Nouwen (1932-1996) was a Dutch priest, professor, writer, and theologian.

God’s Team

pexels-photo-3184431.jpeg

Photo by fauxels on Pexels.com

Jesus gathers up His apostles from humble ground

Making up God’s team, their witness shall abound

 

God’s Word oversees the performance of this team

Standing as chief executive, seeing holiest theme

 

The Holy Spirit earmarks the hearts and brains

Serving as the binding glue, better than chains

 

Returning to the beginning of God’s creative time

Transforming a land, His Word continues to climb

 

The Creator conceives of a perfect place for man

Placing Adam and Eve in Eden, always His plan

 

But, Adam and Eve journey on a sin-filled path

Leaving the ample garden, under God’s wrath

 

From this moment, God’s team stumbles and wanders

Facing estrangement from God, His people squander

 

Jesus comes to bridge what separates us from God

Sitting at the right hand, coaching a humbled squad

 

God establishes His expectations, perfectly high

Faltering and imperfect mortals, will never satisfy

 

The team continues to collapse over and over again

Forgetting God’s Commandments, sin seems to win

 

Many teams measure success by the flashy show

Works by themselves, will never add much glow

 

But, Jesus shepherds His team on a brand new track

Following by faith alone, Jesus always has their back

 

He reminds us to always love our God in Heaven’s seat

Loving each other as you have loved Me, always repeat

 

A bloody, criminal’s Cross summons all to take a knee

Accepting Jesus as Savior, teammates look up to see

 

Our Father orchestrates, with infinite patience and love

Creating and molding, the Great I Am looks from above

 

Jesus remains alert at the Creator’s side

Carrying keys to eternal life, all bona fide

 

As team members, we must trust, follow, and abide

Playing for Jesus, His coaching is forever our guide

 

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Steadfast Courage

person climbing on gray rock

Photo by David Bortnik on Pexels.com

From Matthew 14:25-27:  “And early in the morning He came walking toward them on the sea.  But when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’  And they cried out in fear.  But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.'”

Following God’s commandments

Delivering steadfast courage

Building up one’s faith and trust

Go sends us forth, encouraged

 

Imagine walking each day

With Biblical superstars

Amazing stories with truth

God waiting near, not too far

 

Israel cries out in Egypt

God hears their anguish and pain

Moses’ courage answers prayers

Pharaoh’s heart, forever slain

 

God commissions a leader

Joshua destined to lead

His faith in God carries strength

His plan and vision succeeds

 

Daniel faces certain death

Overcoming his demise

God foils lions’ hunger

Courage arrives in disguise

 

Christ completes His final task

A Cross marks defeat, they say

His living breath creates light

Salvation, lives from that day

 

Boldness, defined by our Lord

Confronting uncertain pain

Faithful and steadfast courage

God’s love, never will abstain

brown wooden crucifix photography

Photo by Peter on Pexels.com

From American film actress, Dorothy Bernard:  “Courage is fear that has said its prayers.”