Hope
Never forsaken
Revealed at Calvary
Flesh nailed to cross
Love
Love
None greater
Messiah conquering death
Saving each of us
Jesus
Jesus
Faith’s builder
Risen Savior experienced
Emmaus Road’s transforming light
Redemption
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 Lamentations 3:55-56: “I called on Your name, O Lord, from the depths of the pit; You heard my plea, ‘Do not close Your ear to my cry for help, but give me relief!'”
Facing distant horizon
Lingering darkness ahead
Knowing Jesus always hears
Providing His daily bread
Thirsting for living water
Drawing drink from Jacob’s well
Knowing Jesus always hears
Giving thanks, gratefulness swells
Waiting follows each sunset
Rising sunrise, full of hope
Knowing Jesus always hears
Scaling Zion’s mighty slope
Kneeling at Calvary’s cross
Praying for redemption’s seed
Knowing Jesus always hears
Harvesting from tender reed
Seeking His mercy’s comfort
Looking to heavens above
Knowing Jesus always hears
Responding with steadfast love
From Lamentations 3:22-23: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”
Facing
Darkness alone
Another door opens
Patience discovers mercy’s reward
Opportunity
Tasting
God’s Word
Holy Spirit guides
Always toward Savior’s light
Redemption
Witnessing
Sinful nature
Separated from Father
Christ resurrects salvation’s bridge
Love
Running
With perseverance
Looking to Jesus
Rising with faith’s endurance
Disciplined
Disciplined
Righteous spirit
Accepting Savior’s grace
Kneeling in steadfast prayer
Transformed
Transformed
Mercy’s light
Leaving sin’s darkness
Finding love in Christ
Redeemed
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.”
Darkness
Chasing thee
Seeking salvation’s assurance
Refuge on eagle’s wings
Forgiveness
Darkness
Closing in
Storm follows storm
Boarding mercy’s trusted flight
Redemption
Darkness
Sent away
Light’s righteousness shines
Heart filled with gratitude
Faithfulness
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.”
From Philippians 2:1-2: “If, then, there is any comfort in Christ, any consolation from love, any partnership in the Spirit, any tender affection and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.”
Living, Messiah breathes
Defeating Calvary’s death
Affirming His Resurrection
Forgiveness fills every breath
Witnessing humbleness
Calling believers to serve
Following Savior’s faithful steps
Grace conquers death we deserve
Praising faith’s light above
Confessing to Christ, our Lord
Finding hope through redemption’s door
Body of One comes aboard
Bending each fearless knee
Grasping depth of Savior’s love
Absorbing His peace through prayer
Spirit descends from above
Sharing joy with others
Pouring out His love through grace
Seeing faith’s home through Father’s eyes
Messiah’s welcoming place
From Philippians 2:17-18: “But even if I am being poured out as a libation over the sacrifice and the service of your faith, I rejoice, and I rejoice together with all of you; in the same way also you should rejoice and rejoice together with me.”
Photo by Simon Matzinger on Pexels.com
We have a clear path to choose
Anything else, we definitely lose
A godless enemy brings emptiness
He prowls and waits, eager to strike
His path only leads to unhappiness
Our lives feel like a bursting dike
We see the good life in front of us
But the light comes with false hopes
Glamour and riches without the fuss
Darkness clouds over life’s periscope
Gloomy doom brings promises, so empty
A champion bears our guilt and shame
There is a better way, filled with plenty
Life truly means more than just a game
The Light of Salvation chases away the dark
Christ bears our wounds at a bloody cross
The enemy slithers away, gone is his spark
Jesus’ Holy righteousness reaches across
Our loving Father sacrifices His only Son
His shed blood atones for our sinful ways
An empty tomb declares, Christ has won
Accept me and follow, He proudly says
We have a clear path to choose
Anything else, we definitely lose
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
Originally published October, 2019.
From Psalm 23:1-3: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters; He restores my soul.”
Walking through trials
Shepherd’s voice of peace
Trusting to follow
Grasping faith’s newfound lease
Seeking to believe
Wonders offer signs
Trusting to follow
Rising faith shall align
Affirming Lord’s Word
Each day follows night
Trusting to follow
Watching darkness take flight
Feeling love come forth
Savior’s light proclaims
Trusting to follow
Witnessing heaven’s flame
Overcoming death
Christ shall never rest
Trusting to follow
Tasting grace, faith digests
Filling hope with joy
Resurrection thrives
Trusting to follow
Knowing Shepherd’s alive
From John 11:14-16: “I am the good shepherd. I know My own, and My own know Me, just as the Father knows Me, and I know the Father. And I lay down My life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to My voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.”
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