God loves people because of who God is, not because of who we are.
From Ephesians 2:4-5: “God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which He loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.”
Phillip Yancey (born 1949) is an American Christian author.
Upholding
Witness
Heavenly grace
Descending to earth
Embracing God’s tender touch
Joy
Beholding
Joy’s
Heavenly spirit
Announcing Savior’s birth
Choirs of angelic voices
Truth
Engaging
Truth’s
Heavenly righteousness
Flowing into prayer
Eyes upon Risen Christ
Witness
From John 3:14-17: “And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.”
Holy God of Abraham and Sarah
His Tree of Life blesses generations
Throughout Creation’s awesome certainty
Into Christ’s death, reborn as new nations
When rising with each new, precious morning
Blessed by our Father’s love, mercy, and grace
Witnessing His divine truth, now spoken
Passing on to each act and word we place
Walking as His body, the Son of Man
Sanctified through His sacrificial blood
Christ leads, encouraging all to follow
Life streaming to pristine sea, free of mud
Broken lives, breathing as imperfections
Life’s daily missteps, forever stumbling
Christ’s forgiveness showers each soul with love
Pardoning sinners, no longer tumbling
Grace-filled Holy Spirit moves within us
Offering necessary strength and hope
Fueling deep faith, God’s awesome certainty
Go forth, blessed and ready, walk life’s tightrope
Here is a special song, written by American composer, Marty Haugen, “Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery.” This short tune is filled with inspiring verses.
Originally published March, 2021.
From Ephesians 2:5-7: “Even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.“
Faith’s spirit seeks
Heavenly grace
Distilled through Christ
Love shall embrace
Depths of joy thirst
Touched by His grace
Waters of hope
Christ’s welcome face
Righteousness breathes
Strengthened by grace
Free gift from Christ
Destiny’s place
For each Christian
Peace full of grace
Resume filled
Christ’s risen space
Bountiful feast
Nourished from grace
Truth found in Christ
Finish thy race
From Ephesians 2:20-21: “Built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone; in Him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord.”
From Ephesians 2:4-5: “But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which He loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.”
Called by Father’s grace Renewing Heaven’s light Receiving forgiveness Redemption takes flight
Called by river’s strength Flowing with nature’s rain Living waters fill light Taste of harvest’s grain
Called by Savior’s peace Discovering true hope Following blessed light Faith grips mercy’s rope
Called by Calvary Kneeling again to pray Witnessing Risen Light Transformation’s clay
Called by Spirit’s light Embracing Scripture’s Word Honoring every verse Truth no longer blurred
Called by destiny Walking in Christ’s shadow Matching His faithful steps Light’s grace always flows
From 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24: “May the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely, and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and He will do this.”
From Psalm 118:26: “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord.”
Rejoice with this new day
God sharing precious love
Blessed Word guides our way
Behold gifts from above
Extend love to others
Family and friends shine
Each sister and brother
Feeling God’s love, divine
Christ sheds blood, out of love
Building faith’s cornerstone
Treasured, caring, proud of
Never feeling alone
Remembering God’s saints
Memories still alive
Cherished thoughts now repaint
Holding tight each archive
Lord is God, brings His light
Giving thanks for His grace
Blessed angels take flight
Precious love shall embrace
From Psalm 118:1: “O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever!”
Originally published March, 2021.
From Psalm 103:2-4: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all His benefits—who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.”
Gracious Father’s mercy
Abounding depth of love
Steadfast, unconditional
Foresight received from above
Heavenly redemption
Healing each hardened heart
Grace flowing with forgiveness
Savior’s light confirms hope’s start
Father’s witness bears truth
Fulfilling righteous norms
Always love one another
Armor of light now transforms
Christ’s clearest instructions
Building love’s exercise
Works of darkness laid aside
Messiah’s trusted franchise
Called to forgive others
Shedding blindness through light
Love’s faithful fabric now sown
Relationship’s comfort bright
From Romans 13:10: “Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.”
Grace defines you. As grace sinks in, earthly labels fade. You are who God says you are. Spiritually alive. Heavenly positioned.
From Ephesians 2:4-5: “But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which He loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.”
Max Lucado (born 1955) is an American pastor and Christian author.
From 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, He who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Eternity’s light
Calling mankind home
With every sunrise
Peace forever roams
Leaving sin’s darkness
Renewing faith’s lease
Forgiveness heals hearts
God’s love shall release
Truth speaks through Jesus
Transcending from light
Spiritual food
Strengthened to unite
Hope shall be fulfilled
Ascending faith’s rock
Savior’s blood cleanses
Each sheep of His flock
Grace in forgiveness
Breaking every chain
Each shadow of sin
Fades in Heaven’s rain
From the words of American pastor and Christian author, Jim Cymbala: “God’s heart of mercy provides for us not only pardon from sin but also daily provision of spiritual food to strengthen us.”
From John 12:44-46: “Then Jesus cried aloud: ‘Whoever believes in me believes not in me but in Him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees Him who sent me. I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness.'”
Across this world’s vastness
There’s nothing more precious
Than our God-given life
Primed to breath by His grace
Every precious day
Praise God for its richness
Honor life’s simple ways
Praying with thankful hearts
Just as God molds this earth
Spirit works tirelessly
Shaping and stretching lives
Blessing each precious breath
God’s precious hands guiding
Framing, leading, teaching
Crafting lives, filled with love
Accept His blessed gift
Charged with following God
Life’s precious, rocky path
Falling with stumbling steps
But, Father picks us up
Savoring each day’s breath
There’s nothing more precious
Honoring Lord of all
Straight to life’s final end
From Psalm 23:5-6: “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.”
Following prayer and reading my Bible, my thoughts went into writing this special poem. Indeed, there is nothing more precious than life. On March 17, 2021, my stepfather, Ed, went to the Lord. The love he shared with my mother (his loving Martha) was boundless, and I was blessed to share my Christian faith with him. The unconditional love given by my mother to her blessed Ed will be a lasting gift because it has been witnessed by so many others.
Originally published March, 2021.
