So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, till my trophies at last I lay down; I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it someday for a crown.
From Galatians 6:14: “May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to Me and I to the world.”
George Bennard (1873-1958) was an American pastor and hymn composer. The chosen lyrics were written in 1912 and became part of the popular hymn, “The Old Rugged Cross.”
From Psalm 31:3-4: “You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake lead me and guide me, take me out of the net that is hidden for me, for you are my refuge.”
Crying out from devilish wasteland
Surrounded by desert’s empty sand
Caught, tangled in sin’s deceptive net
Buried under life’s heaviest debt
Captured by evil’s sly temptations
Confined to cellblock’s harsh reception
Engulfed by relentless guilt and shame
Throwing key away, dimming life’s flame
Praying to Holy Father above
Singing of His steadfast, faithful love
Seeking His mercy in valley’s distress
How will life move forward, from this mess?
Coming to life’s rescue, Jesus Christ
Accepting His grace, He pays full price
Breaking free from sin’s ongoing grip
Sailing on Spirit’s armored flagship
Exiting darkest, shame-filled prison
Beholding blood-stained Cross, He’s Risen!
Remaking character, with each day
Walking with Jesus, never shall stray
From Psalm 18:1-2: “I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
Originally published February, 2021.
From Song of Solomon 4:12: “A garden locked is my sister, my bride, a garden locked, a fountain sealed.”
Heavenly garden, locked and closed
Eternal fountain, sealed and dry
Searching, Salvation’s hidden key
Faithless works, blinding sinful eyes
Body, soul, spirit in despair
Soul without spirit, dead to sin
Body without soul, starkest death
Life’s spirit, missing God’s linchpin
Holy Spirit, always at work
Lasting, heart-filled renovations
Infused into life’s coldest heart
Building restored soul’s foundation
Christ choreographs love-filled hearts
Breathing life into each saved soul
Lighting our way to Salvation
Father’s love leads to Christ’s patrol
Arriving at Heaven’s garden
Receiving its eternal key
Fountain flows with living water
Come rest under Salvation’s tree
From Song of Solomon 4:16: “Awake, O north wind, and come, O south wind! Blow upon my garden that its fragrance may be wafted abroad. Let my beloved come to His garden, and eat its choicest fruits.”
Originally published February, 2021.
The characteristic of a disciple is not that he does good things, but that he is good in motive because he has been made good by the supernatural grace of God.
From Matthew 5:18-19: “For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) was a Scottish evangelist and Christian teacher. Following his death from an illness while in Egypt during World War I, his wife took on the task of transcribing the detailed notes she had written from his lectures and sermons. Gertrude Hobbs Chambers’ efforts resulted in the publication in 1924 of MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST. I frequently read from this devotional, and it has greatly deepened my faith and understanding of God’s Word.
From the words of American Christian author, Kay Arthur: Your times are in His hands. He’s in charge of the timetable, so wait patiently.
Quiet morning descends
Finding hope in rising sun
Filling each breath with His love
Christ’s mission shall be done
Mercy strengthens each heart
Knowing His love offers peace
Walking toward Calvary
Christ’s light shall never cease
Patience found in spirit
Waiting for His perfect time
Drawing love from trusted well
Christ’s truth must always climb
Death to sinful nature
Leaving darkness, love sings out
Seeing salvation in heavens
Christ’s now commanding route
Joy’s eager voice shares praise
Accepting love’s gift of grace
Upholding redemption’s light
Christ’s forgiving embrace
From Lamentations 3:25-26: “The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul that seeks Him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”
This world possessed me.
It tried to keep me from Your light.
And all the time, life seemed to rhyme.
Sometimes, it even turned out right.
Still, my life was dark as night!
Even then,
I felt You there.
I knew You always cared.
Your pow’r was greater,
than this world’s strongest hold on me.
You sent Your Son to be the One
to bleed and die on Calvary.
Now, new daylight sets me free.
Evermore,
my Savior lives.
His strength He always gives.
So . . .
Jesus, my Lord Jesus,
now, I can call You Lord.
By Your Holy Spirit’s pow’r,
and by Your precious love each hour,
I’ve giv’n my heart to You.
Jesus, my Lord Jesus,
Yes, I can call You Lord.
By You bearing all my shame,
and by Your precious, holy name,
I’ve put my trust in You.
Jesus, my Lord Jesus,
yes, I can call You Lord.
Jesus, my Lord Jesus,
yes, I will call You Lord!
Today’s Christian poem is one of several contained in BITS ‘N’ PIECES OF MY HEART. The proud author is my wife, Colleen Peterson.
From her own words:
BITS ‘N’ PIECES OF MY HEART contains stories, devotions and poetry for the adults, activities to do with your children, and fun little songs. The devotions and poetry will strongly open up your faith walk to more of God’s light. Doing the fun activities and singing little songs with your children will bring smiles to everyone’s heart.
Colleen appreciates the kind reception her book has received. It is available on your favorite online bookstore site.
Spirit
Moves within
Reshaping human fabric
Christ imparts blessed light
Purification
Witness
Through faithfulness
Adopting sovereign gift
Christ rises within thee
Obedience
Trust
Born again
Manifesting within believer
Christ’s righteousness becomes ours
Discipleship
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.
Christ is the key which unlocks the golden doors into the temple of Divine truth.
From John 10:7-9: “So again Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before Me are thieves and bandits, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by Me will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture.'”
Arthur Walkington (A. W.) Pink (1886-1952) was an English Bible teacher and Christian writer. Following his death, many of his writings were well-received by readers. This turnabout established him as an influential evangelical author.
From Proverbs 15:29: “The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.”
Faith’s spiritual passion
Daily maintenance called for
Lifting eyes up to heavens
Jesus serves as our mentor
Faith’s inner fire rekindled
Daily repentance of sins
Correcting compass setting
Jesus locks in hope’s linchpin
Faith’s embrace of Father’s Word
Daily reading offers peace
Meditating on each verse
Jesus brings truth to release
Faith’s encouragement rises
Daily infusion of love
Sending Spirit as our guide
Jesus shares grace from above
Faith’s living relationship
Daily eagerness to serve
Tackling opportunities
Jesus flattens every curve
From 1 John 5:4: “For whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith.”
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.”
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!
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.
