Monday Memories: 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.”

Photo by Jessica Lewis on Pexels.com

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

 

Photo by Sharefaith on Pexels.com

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.”

Originally published January, 2021.

John Newton Quote

Photo by Nasr Al on Pexels.com

If the Lord be with us, we have no cause to fear.  His eye is upon us, His arm over us, His ear open to our prayer–His grace sufficient, His promise unchangeable.

From Deuteronomy 31:8:  “The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

John Newton (1725-1807) was an English pastor who also was a writer of several hymns, including the beloved “Amazing Grace.”  His early life is filled with contrasts, when compared to his later life.  He served as a ship’s captain during the slave trade, but later renounced his work after his conversion to Christianity.  He became an outspoken opponent of the slave trade later in his life.

On Way to Heaven

From 1 John 1:5:  “This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all.”

Photo by Marek Piwnicki on Pexels.com

On way to Heaven

With each passing day

Envisioning New Earth

Jesus leads our way

 

Righteousness proceeds

Praises filled with joy

All marching to Zion

Jesus leads convoy

 

Blessed harvest waits

Feast upon light’s grace

Leaving sin’s darkened street

Jesus takes our place

 

Chains of bondage break

Freedom’s bells now ring

Reaching heavenly peace

Jesus always King

 

On way to Heaven

Mercy’s opened door

Forgiving voice of love

Jesus evermore!

 

Photo by icon0 com on Pexels.com

You are invited to sing or follow along with Isaac Watts’ hymn, “We’re Marching to Zion.”  Watts, an English pastor, wrote these lyrics in 1707.

Messiah’s Love

From Colossians 13:13-14:  “Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.  Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”

Photo by Magda Ehlers on Pexels.com

Faith’s journey with Christ

Seeking all things above

Heavenly treasures wait

Revealed in Messiah’s love

 

Bitterness removed

Embracing Christian love

Salvation’s welcome voice

Nourished from heavens above

 

Spirit of patience

Spreading each truth of love

Just as Scripture teaches

Joined in Christ, grace shines above

 

God’s mercy forgives

Sharing peace from above

Harmony’s hope brings joy

Marked with unlimited love

 

Resurrection’s light

Raising praises of love

Redemption fills each heart

Witnessed by Lord from above

 

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

From the words of American pastor, Harry Emerson Fosdick:  “Bitterness imprisons life; love releases it.”

Hannah Whitall Smith Quote

Photo by Andres Idda Bianchi on Pexels.com

God is the giver, and we are the receivers.  And His richest gifts are bestowed not upon those who do the greatest things, but upon those who accept His abundance and His grace.

From Numbers 6:22-26:  “The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying:  Thus you shall bless the Israelites.  You shall say to them:  The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.'”

Hannah Whitall Smith (1832-1911) was an American lay speaker and Christian author.  She was an active voice during the women’s suffrage movement as well as the temperance movement in the United States.

Monday Memories: Meeting at Last

From Luke 1:27-27:  “In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David.  The virgin’s name was Mary.”

Photo by Emre Kuzu on Pexels.com

When shall we ever meet?

Longing to meet my Lord

His lamp, lighting the way

Filled with love, now on board

 

Life’s laboring turmoil

Enchained by sin’s shackles

Christ offers lasting Grace

Freed from darkest jackals

 

Heaven’s gifts come to earth

Filled with unselfish love

Each dawn brings liberty

Embracing newfound love

 

Rejoice, again rejoice!

No more trembling in fear

Appearing like day’s sun

Safely home, Jesus steers

 

Photo by Maria Orlova on Pexels.com

From Luke 24:50-53:  “Then He led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up His hands, He blessed them.  While He was blessing them, He withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven.  And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the temple blessing God.”

Salvation’s Refreshment (Elfchen Series #286)

Quenching

All

Who thirst

Seek living waters

Flowing into believer’s heart

Come

Photo by Esra Nur Kalay on Pexels.com

Enriching

Given

From Jesus

Precious living waters

Flowing from Spirit’s depths

Life

Photo by Daniel & Hannah Snipes on Pexels.com

Praising

Accepting

Christ’s nourishment

Blessed living waters

Flowing outward from heavens

Grace

Photo by Harriet B. on Pexels.com

From Isaiah 12:3:  “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.”

Monday Memories: Attitude of Praise

From Psalm 111:1:  “Praise the LordI will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.”

Photo by Littlehampton Bricks on Pexels.com

Pessimistic and gloomy attitude

One negative brick follows another

Suffocating and negative self-talk

Sounding more like Eeyore’s little brother

 

Time for transforming callous attitude

With praise and thanksgiving, eyes upon God

His Grace offering truest Bread of Life

Believe, follow, accept His blessed rod

 

Breathing in our Lord’s trusted, living Word

Dropping negativity’s jagged sword

Accepting our Father’s mercy and love

Trading bitterness for His sweet accord

 

Learning from God’s Holy teachings and creeds

Feeling His just and faithful, love-filled works

Listening to each breath, His spoken Word

Maturing in faith’s righteous masterworks

 

Embracing God’s eternal covenant

Studying His Word, bearing full delight

Celebrating Him with salutations

Singing with attitude of praise, now right

 

Photo by SplitShire on Pexels.com

From Psalm 111:10:  “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding.  His praise endures forever.”

Originally published February, 2021.

Comforting Presence

From Isaiah 40:1-2:  “Comfort, O comfort My people, says your God.  Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.”

Photo by Johannes Plenio on Pexels.com

God’s invitation

Walking before Me

Fleeing sin’s darkness

Peace shall cover thee

 

Confidence cries out

Embracing God’s way

Leaving wilderness

Hope transcends this day

 

God’s glory revealed

Kneeling before Me

Comforting presence

Tomorrow walks free

 

Each valley raised up

Revealing God’s grace

Rebuilding faith’s trust

Joy beams from His face

 

God’s will standing tall

Sharing Word with Me

Believing His truth

Mercy granted thee

 

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels.com

From Isaiah 40:31:  “But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

Journey’s Truth (Elfchen Series #285)

Relationship

Praying

Without ceasing

Anchored to Father

Faith’s fabric of grace

Trusting

Photo by Danik Prihodko on Pexels.com

Refreshment

Walking

With Jesus

Destiny’s promised light

Faith strengthened through grace

Loving

Photo by Nothing Ahead on Pexels.com

Rebirth

Rescuing

From darkness

Witness Calvary’s forgiveness

Faith embraces redemption’s grace

Transforming

Photo by Adrien Olichon on Pexels.com

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.