Salvation’s True Hymn

From Romans 3:21-22:  “But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed and is attested by the Law and the Prophets, the righteousness of God through the faith of Jesus Christ for all who believe.  For there is no distinction.”

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Faith’s wayward journey

Bearing under sin

Without righteousness

Evil in sheepskin

 

Life’s unworthiness

Deceiving ourselves

Misery’s ruins

Man’s faith hides on shelves

 

Eternal darkness

Living without hope

God’s love sends Savior

He changes faith’s scope

 

Light born in stable

Proclaiming Good News

Father’s righteousness

Faith calls us to choose

 

Assurance in Christ

Believing in Him

Justified by faith

Salvation’s true hymn

 

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From 1 John 5:13:  “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.”

Outcomes of Faithfulness (Elfchen Series #165)

Life’s Journey

Walking

God’s highway

Taking His way

Now becoming our way

Devotedness

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Blessed Saints

Following

Christ’s example

Breathing with perseverance

Surrounded with countless witnesses

Steadfastness

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With Us Always

Accepting

Father’s discipline

Tested by trials

Feeling His unwavering love

Righteousness

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Freedom Calls

From 2 Corinthians 3:17:  “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

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Oceans of Father’s mercy

Flowing deep and wide

Replacing darkness with kindness

His eternal light, our guide

 

No mountain ever too high

Praising His glory

Entering Father’s safe fortress

His Word reveals our story

 

Calvary’s dark cross conquered

Viewing empty tomb

Looking to heavens, Christ risen

His grace spares life’s sinful doom

 

Eternity’s gate opened

Breaking evil’s chains

Following Jesus, freedom calls

His righteousness grabs life’s reins

 

Every precious life matters

Redeeming each heart

Nourishing with faith’s Living Bread

Father’s plan offers fresh start

 

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From Galatians 5:1:  “For freedom Christ has set us free.  Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”

Monday Memories: Thirsty for Living Water

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Like deer at a flowing stream

I wake thirsty from a dream

Tears feed me, night and day

“Where is your God?” people say

 

My spirit is cast down low

God’s faithful, trusty love, He shows

Nightly, Psalms sing to my heart

Praying for my life to restart

 

My flesh cries out in thirst

God’s love will always arrive first

In the middle of dry land

His love extends from His hand

 

Sometimes life brings bitterness to drink

Thirsty like parched land, I think

The Gospel brings forward good news

Living water quenches, like morning dew

 

The Enemy taunts me once more

“Where is your God?” he implores

He has left and forsaken you

Your tiny life should be through

 

Glory of God fills the streams

Desert sands become pools, no dream

Grass thickens across the vast plains

Springs arise, thirst never to wane

 

Jesus, the Lamb, shepherds me now

Providing living water, kneel and bow

Come, take this water of life

Receiving God’s grace, without any strife

 

Waking in the darkness of night

Thirsty for God’s message of might

Making water flow from a stone

Split open by God’s blessed tone

 

The Enemy’s spirit no longer swarms

Thirst for righteousness, defeats any storms

All who thirst, seek God’s altar

Holy Spirit’s living water, never falters

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Originally published September, 2019.

Our Sustainer

From Psalm 55:1:  “Give ear to my prayer, O God; do not hide Yourself from my supplication.”

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Persuasive voices

Filled with weighty stones

Pulling self deeper

Feeling so alone

 

Despair building up

Fear never ceases

Wanting to just hide

Falling to pieces

 

Troubles weigh heavy

Overwhelmed with noise

Calling out to God

Seeking faith’s convoy

 

Tempest storms now calm

God’s grace intervenes

Covering with peace

Wiping burdens clean

 

His Word restores trust

Our Sustainer speaks

Changing hope’s outlook

Climbing righteous peaks

 

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From Psalm 55:22:  “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved.”

Monday Memories: Seeking God’s Wisdom

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The text used for this poem is based upon Proverbs Chapter 10, with the 10th verse taking center stage:  “The wise lay up knowledge, but the babbling of a fool brings ruin.”

Seeks God’s wisdom

His words bring wealth

 

A benevolent father

Welcomes a wise child

 

Virtue always delivers

Never going hungry

 

The judicious of heart

Follows the Commandments

 

Always walks in integrity

Makes for a secure life

 

Boldly calls out trouble

Brings peace to life

 

Use righteous words

Builds a fountain of life

 

Hate stirs up trouble

Love heals our offenses

 

Craves absorbing wisdom

Ignores a blathering fool

 

Leads an honorable life

Shuns sinful behaviors

 

Be prudent when speaking

Uses a blameless tongue

 

Seeks the Lord’s blessings

Comes in reverent prayer

 

Follows our heavenly Father

His stronghold protects us

 

Originally published June, 2019.

Frederick Buechner Quote

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The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.

From Matthew 5:6:  “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

Frederick Buechner (1926-2022) was an American pastor, Christian theologian, and author.  His writings were published in 39 books, which included several different genres.

Andrew Murray Quote

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Where there is much prayer, there will be much of the Spirit; where there is much of the Spirit, there will be ever-increasing prayer.

From James 5:15-16:  “The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up, and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven.  Therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed.  The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.”

Andrew Murray (1828-1917) was a South African Christian pastor, writer, and teacher.  He believed that Christians should always place a great emphasis on maintaining a rich, personal devotional life.

Charles Stanley Quote

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Those who realize their days belong to God are careful how they live.

From Ephesians 5:15-17:  “Be careful, then, how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil.  So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

Receiving Fresh Start

From Isaiah 43:2:  “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”

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Storm’s surging rage

Turning away from sin

Transgressions now forgiven

Lighting faith within

 

Light leads our way

Stirring righteous feelings

Freed from enemy’s facade

Praising truth’s dealings

 

Living water

Quenching believers’ thirst

God’s glory reigning supreme

Seeing hope dispersed

 

Every new day

Serving merciful Lord

Countless opportunities

Calling, come aboard

 

Father’s guidance

Flowing from grace-filled heart

Future course plotted and set

Receiving fresh start

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From Isaiah 43:25:  “I alone am the one who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.”