Sinking
Enemy’s darkness
Waves crashing down
Empty tomb’s salvation light
Rising
Light
Father’s plan
Love’s ultimate sacrifice
Resurrection’s grace shines forever
Victorious
Witnessing
Blessed assurance
Light conquers darkness
Every sin forever paid
Redemption
From Colossians 1:19-20: “For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him God was pleased to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of His cross.”
Haunting scene, filled with greed
Darkness shadows with fear
Every path now seems blocked
Cross waiting to appear
Journey of life backs up
Selfishness cuts in front
Noise in streets never dims
Cross waiting to confront
Sorrows keep piling up
Every heart feeling stress
Shattered hope, faith absent
Cross waiting to address
Life refreshed, poured from grace
Compassion fills His heart
Savior’s body and blood
Cross ready to impart
Mountains of sin paid for
Mercy now comes to rest
Blessing of Father’s love
Cross completes final quest
From 1 Corinthians 1:18: “For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
From Isaiah 40:10-11: “See, the Lord God comes with might, and His arm rules for Him; His reward is with Him and His recompense before Him. He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs in His arms and carry them in His bosom and gently lead the mother sheep.”
Staying close
Mercy knows
Chasing away doubts
God’s hand reaches out
Quiet rest
Hope be blest
Faith’s embers restart
Nestled in God’s heart
Always near
Never fear
Righteous grace arrives
Resurrection thrives
Peaceful place
Light’s embrace
Holy Spirit roams
Redemption comes home
The hymn “Near to the Heart of God” inspired today’s faith-based poem. Here is a dynamic video of the hymn with lyrics by Fountainview Academy in British Columbia, Canada.
Looking back over my life, all I can see is mercy and grace written in large letters everywhere. May God help me have the same kind of heart toward those who wound or offend me.
From Ephesians 4:31-32: “Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.”
Jim Cymbala (born 1942) is an American pastor and Christian author. He firmly believes that God will share His goodness in our lives.
Lost
Darkest wilderness
Focusing on Light
Mercy shall be waiting
Found
Believing
Never forsaken
Conversation with God
Faithful trust connects daily
Prayer
Discouraged
Frozen outlook
Spirit’s warming presence
Gentle rain of grace
Encouraged
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.
From John 12:12-13: “The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, shouting, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord—the King of Israel!'”
Son of Man enters city
Making final human walk
Fulfilling Father’s design
Ignoring others who mock
Many celebrate Jesus
Thinking He shall be their king
Throwing off Roman rulers
Ignoring grace, set to spring
Enemy sees victory
Overlooking supreme God
Forgetting Christ’s destiny
Ignoring his evil fraud
Calvary’s lonely Cross weeps
Covering in Savior’s blood
Setting up love to conquer
Releasing mercy to flood
Resurrection breathes forever
Proclaiming lasting Good News
Building bridge to salvation
Raising faith’s redemptive view
From Ephesians 1:7-9: “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace that He lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight He has made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure that He set forth in Christ.”
From Psalm 69:14: “Rescue me from sinking in the mire; let me be delivered from my enemies and from the deep waters.”
Watching man’s plight
God takes human form
Breathing Scripture’s cues
Mercy conquers storm
Stumbling in faith
God sees lack of trust
Sending His own Son
Evil becomes dust
Breaking sin’s chains
Calvary’s blood flows
Kneeling in prayer
Light enters shadows
Walking through fire
Grace making descent
Pulsing with courage
God always present
Witnessing cross
Spirit opens eyes
Accepting Jesus
God, more than life-size
From 1 Corinthians 6:11: “And this is what some of you used to be. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.”
When you find yourself slumping in shame or giving way to guilt, remind yourself of this: You have been chosen by the Good Shepherd. He wants you in His flock.
From John 15:16: “You did not choose me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask Him in My name.”
From the words of American pastor and Christian author, Charles Swindoll: “When I’m able, by faith, to sense God’s hand in my situation, my attitude will be right.”
Giving thanks to God
His mighty deeds
Singing with praises
Spirit shall lead
Seeking God’s wisdom
His steadfast hand
Offering mercy
Across this land
Recalling God’s works
His love transforms
Trusting righteousness
Throughout each storm
Praying before God
His sacred Word
Sharing gratitude
Voice always heard
Walking with God’s grace
By faith alone
Keeping his statutes
Life’s firm backbone
Observing God’s strength
Joy singing out
Shaping attitude
Heart never doubts
From Psalm 105:4-5: “Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually. Remember the wonderful works He has done, His miracles and the judgments He has uttered.”
From Colossians 1:12-14: “Giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
Life’s challenging journey
Filled with traps of despair
Father always with us
Pulling each from evil’s snare
Life’s tormenting voices
Dragged into darkest seas
Father always with us
Catching mercy’s faithful breeze
Life’s foolish decisions
Swayed by misplaced actions
Father always with us
Forgiving sin’s transactions
Life’s pride overflowing
Drowned amongst false idols
Father always with us
Responding to His bridle
Life’s unforgiving walk
Misguided force’s fraud
Father always with us
Walking with transforming God
From 1 John 1:8: “ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”
Big Sky Buckeye 