Fear Not

From Matthew 14:22-24: “Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds. And after He had dismissed the crowds, He went up the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them.”

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Life’s storms intensify

Overcoming with fear

Facing each hostile sea

Darkness, nothing seems clear

 

Spiritual squalls come

Turning world upside down

Battered by strongest gales

Fearing each wave’s knockdown

 

Christ’s love intercedes

Praying hands, clay’s potter

Mountains to heavens

Walking on calm water

 

Jesus never leaves us

Storms quietly subside

His blessed protection

Lasting, sovereign guide

 

Fear not, faith’s spark ablaze

Christ’s true light boldly seeds

Following Son of God

Hope ripens from His deeds

 

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From Matthew 14:25-27:  “And early in the morning He came walking toward them on the sea.  But when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’  And they cried out in fear.  But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.'”

Father’s Firm Hand

From Psalm 94:1-2:  “Lord, you God of vengeance, you God of vengeance, shine forth!  Rise up, O judge of the earth; give to the proud what they deserve!”

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Holy, perfect Father

Bringing justice for all

Earth’s one, ultimate Judge

Love covers, like rainfall

 

Truest God of vengeance

Providing blessed Grace

Living high in Heaven

Father’s firm hand, in place

 

Lives thirst for discipline

Teaching knowledge, His Word

Knowing our hollow thoughts

Empty breath, minds stand blurred

 

Over the roaring seas

On highest mountaintops

Across fertile valleys

Earth’s Judge shall never stop

 

Gracious to believers

God’s goodness and kindness

Through our faith, accept Grace

Love overcomes blindness

 

Judging with righteousness

God’s law rules over all

Vanquishing the wicked

Justice builds righteous walls

 

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From Psalm 98:8-9:  “Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing together for joy at the presence of the Lord, for He is coming to judge the earth.  He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.”

Faith and Mountains

From Mark 11:23:  “Truly I tell you, if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and if you do not doubt in your heart, but believe that what you say will come to pass, it will be done for you.”

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Life facing complex, hurting world

Rugged mountain peaks, blocking us

Never be in doubt, but believe

Accepting God’s grace, ride His bus

 

Immovable mountains stand tall

Remaining steadfast in prayer

Requiring faith in our Father

He watches over our welfare

 

Lacking faith, walking in darkness

Our Father sends His lasting grace

Prepared and willing to assist

His energy, ready to embrace

 

God seeks men and women of faith

Follow His Word, forever speaks

For our Lord’s glory and kingdom

Trusting Him, tackling mountain peaks

 

Believe totally in the Lord

Walking in faithfulness each day

Our faith moves our Father to act

Thanks be to God, He shows the way! 

 

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From the words of American pastor and author, E. M. Bounds:  “Only God can move mountains, but faith and prayer can move God.”

Charles L. Allen Quote

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When you say a situation or a person is hopeless, you are slamming the door in the face of God.

From John 16:32-33:  “The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each one to his home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me.  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!”

Walking with Jesus

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Selected verses from Psalm 122 bring inspiration for this poem.  America, as a nation, needs healing and reconciliation.  The two verses of Scripture take us on a journey from where we have been to where we wish to go.

From Jeremiah 6:14:  “They have treated the wound of my people carelessly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace.”

Praying for peace in our city

Loving Jesus takes center stage

Welcoming peace into all hearts

Hearing love of God over rage

 

Listening to cries of anguish

Walking with Jesus protects all

Showing empathy for neighbors

Sharing His peace at every call

 

Stepping forward with trusting words

Treating these wounds with Jesus’ care

Saying “peace, peace” with conviction

Lifting hands high, love fills the air

 

Standing and feeding His lost flock

Replacing discord, Jesus comes

Proclaiming a new dawn today

Following Grace-filled, beating drum

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From Isaiah 57:19:  “Peace, peace, to the far and the near, says the Lord; and I will heal them.”

One on One

From American theologian, Fulton J. Sheen:  “God does not love us because we are valuable.  We are valuable because God loves us.”

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God’s eternal love seeks

Intimate relationships

No longer standing back

Feeling love as He speaks

 

Our Lord loves each of us

Stepping forward with faith

Accepting His sincere truth

Our God, never to mistrust

 

When darker times arrive

Opening hearts to our Lord

Never to feel forsaken

Trusting, abiding, alive

 

Our Father always cares

Hearing faithful prayers

Watching trusting steps

Feeling moments of despair

 

Flowing from Heaven above

To a stable’s manger

Witnessing from a cruel Cross

God’s Grace delivers His love

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From John 15:8-9:  “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become My disciples.  As the Father has loved Me, so I have loved you; abide in My love.  

Redeeming Spirit

From Isaiah 12:2:  “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the Lord God is my strength and my might; He has become my salvation.”

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To a world filling with harsh darkness

Our Heavenly Father wakens trust

God’s love conquers, crushing this starkness

Sending our Redeemer, always just

 

Jesus, the Messiah, walks the land

His Spirit deepens our mind and soul

We experience God, close at hand

Blood shed on a Cross, paying our toll

 

With every footprint Jesus makes

Walking forward, His bright light beckons

We follow with faith, make no mistake

Through our adversity, faith checks in

 

Enemy lurks, bringing temptation

Walking with Jesus, freed like a bird

In alignment with Him . . . Salvation!

Faithful “doers” of God’s Holy Word

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From Psalm 3:3-4:  “But you, O Lord are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head.  I cry aloud to the Lord, and He answers me from His Holy hill.”

Morning Praise

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From Proverbs 3:26:  “For the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.”

This early morning time

Brings moments of praise

Spirits gather to climb

Warmed by the sun’s rays

 

God’s Word speaks out

With wisdom and clout

 

Another day appears ready

Feet will not stumble

God’s Word marches steady

Never afraid to tumble

 

God’s Word speaks out

With wisdom and clout

 

For the humble receive

God’s favor and love

Avoid those who deceive

Look to Heaven above

 

God’s Word speaks out

With wisdom and clout

 

Arise, prepared for the Lord

He’s endlessly in control

Arming all with His sword

Leading us out on patrol

 

God’s Word speaks out

With wisdom and clout

 

This morn sings a song

Filling with God’s praises

One cannot be wrong

With Salvation, He raises

 

God’s Word speaks out

With wisdom and clout

 

Nourish us right now

God’s manna is ready

Take a knee and bow

He keeps us steady

 

God’s Word speaks out

With wisdom and clout

 

Our day comes alive

From God’s trusting light

Allowing us to thrive

‘Til day becomes night

 

God’s Word arrives at dawn

Always full, never gone