The confession of the thief on the cross was both a first and final one. But . . . Christ received it. Maybe you never heard your loved one confess Christ, but who’s to say Christ didn’t?
From 2 Peter 3:9: “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.”
If we think that the Lord has suddenly abandoned us, we are walking by sight and not by faith.
From Hebrews 13:8: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
From Hebrews 10:22: “Let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”
Faith filled with confidence
Sanctuary’s door opens wide
Backed by shed blood of Christ
Flesh given at cross, where He died
Faith’s lasting commitment
Inner resources standing firm
Backed by trust found in Christ
Great High Priest shall always affirm
Faith witnesses Good News
Sufficient to pass any test
Backed by grace, sent from Christ
Holy Spirit shall never rest
Faith’s hunger filled with hope
Unwavering assurance holds
Backed by love, shared through Christ
Mercy guides heart to Heaven’s fold
Faith walks with endurance
Always forward to God’s reward
Backed by witness of Christ
Redemption brings one more onboard
From Hebrews 10:35-36: “Do not, therefore, abandon that boldness of yours; it brings a great reward. For you need endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what was promised.”
From Isaiah 30:18: “Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you; therefore He will rise up to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for Him.”
Hearing Father’s voice
Every mountain sings
With faithful echoes
Praising heaven’s King
Showering His grace
Every valley sings
With earnest promise
Sowing trust, faith brings
Sending His mercy
Every village sings
With truth in His Word
Soaring eagle’s wings
Scattering His seeds
Every landscape sings
With divine beauty
Welcoming each spring
Walking in His light
Every neighbor sings
With each beating heart
Pulling on love’s strings
Witnessing His Son
Every sinner sings
With His righteousness
Grasping heaven’s swing
From Isaiah 30:20-21: “Though the Lord may give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide Himself any longer, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left, your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.'”
Enlightened
Accepting Jesus
One, true Messiah
Through Him, new life
Beholding
Empowered
Denying oneself
Ready to serve
Heart overflows with grace
Believing
Undaunted
Emptying thyself
Filled with faithfulness
Carrying Christ’s own cross
Following
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.
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From 1 Peter 2:24: “He himself bore our sins in His body on the Cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed.”
Chosen and precious in God’s sight
To believers, Christ’s Spirit brings Salvation
Jesus Christ turns darkness into light
Our faith’s chosen and precious cornerstone
Christ comes forward to redeem us
We can live by His bread alone
Jesus becomes our Holy, High Priest
Believe and never put to shame
God’s own Son takes His seat
Nonbelievers reject God’s Holy, chosen one
Christ prevails to become our Rock
Salvation goes through God’s Holy Son
Christ suffers mightily for His flock
Yet, He never commits any sin
Following God’s steps around the clock
Christ never waivers, He follows through
Entrusting Himself to His Heavenly Father
Bearing our sins, Resurrection’s glorious view
Our lives feel threatened with gloom
Jesus never ceases caring for us
Standing by, Christ prevents our doom
Jesus at our side, always a friend
Loving us with passion and intensity
Our opportunity for Salvation, God sends
Christ, the Good Shepherd, beckons us
No longer gone astray and lost
Christ’s body and blood heal us
The old, rugged cross stands tall
Freeing us from our endless sins
Washing us white, Salvation calls all
Living in bondage, forever in sin
Emancipation by Christ, paying the ransom
Accepting Christ, brings all believers in
From Luke 24:6: “Remember how He told you, while He was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.”
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Originally published September, 2019.
If you are overcome by burdens in your life, it is time to trust the only One who can carry your heavy load.
From Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to Me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”
From John 16:27: “For the Father Himself loves you because you have loved Me and have believed that I came from God.”
Walking with Jesus
Coming to know Him
Rising from ashes
Life no longer grim
Kneeling with Jesus
Joining now as one
Praying to Father
His work shall be done
Standing with Jesus
Hearing trusted Word
Subduing darkness
Faith’s walk undeterred
Sitting with Jesus
Receiving His peace
Forgiving each sin
Light shall never cease
Talking with Jesus
Accepting His love
Sharing Father’s grace
Glory shines above
From John 16:33: “I have said this to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution, but take courage: I have conquered the world!”
To be in Christ is the source of the Christian life; to be like Christ is the sum of His excellence; to be with Christ is the fullness of His joy.
From 2 Corinthians 5:17: “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; look, new things have come into being!”
Charles Hodge (1797-1878) was an American theologian and Christian teacher.
Instead of living in the grip of fear, held captive by the chains of treason and dread; when we release our preoccupation with worry, we find God’s hand at work on our behalf.
From Ephesians 2:13-14: “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He is our peace; in His flesh He has made both into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us.”
Big Sky Buckeye 