Who is like the Lord Jesus Christ to man?
No mortal mind can grasp His immensity,
For He is God, whose one pregnant breath can
Launch space in its pre-planned propensity!
Its billions of monstrous wonders but serve
Mankind, made in His image, who exist
On speck-earth; all else occurs to preserve
The race, in each brief life-span, to subsist!
All this wondrous expanding universe,
That worldly science but partly understands,
God made, for man to freely safely traverse;
To respond to His love, while each yet stands!
Why does tunnel-minded man God ignore,
His treasure-trove, his own affairs explore?
Promise Made: Psalm 103:8-12 (David sings)—
“The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions [sins] from us.” (NIV) [Brackets added]
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Sunday, August 28, 2011
GPP 44: Benefits From The Lord
Ye who love Jesus, praise His holy name;
His benefits unto you are many—
For your sins, He Himself took all the blame,
So that you’ve become as clean as any!
The Lord crowns you with love and compassion,
Healing your body of all diseases,
Satisfies desires in tender fashion,
And renews your strength oft as it eases!
Non-lovers, too, ought to offer Him praises,
For rain falls on the just and the unjust;
You can choose Him any one of your days
And be full blessed, if in Jesus you trust!
So praise His holy name, all ye of earth,
Who bestows upon mankind all this worth!
Promise Made: Psalm 103:1-5 (David sings)—
“Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit [hell] and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” (NIV) [Bracket added]
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
His benefits unto you are many—
For your sins, He Himself took all the blame,
So that you’ve become as clean as any!
The Lord crowns you with love and compassion,
Healing your body of all diseases,
Satisfies desires in tender fashion,
And renews your strength oft as it eases!
Non-lovers, too, ought to offer Him praises,
For rain falls on the just and the unjust;
You can choose Him any one of your days
And be full blessed, if in Jesus you trust!
So praise His holy name, all ye of earth,
Who bestows upon mankind all this worth!
Promise Made: Psalm 103:1-5 (David sings)—
“Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit [hell] and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” (NIV) [Bracket added]
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Friday, August 26, 2011
GPP 43: God Reads Your Heart
If belief in Jesus Christ you profess,
Making it public, kith* and kin to please;
Or to smooth the path to career’s success;
Or thinking to insure your less disease;
Or ungrieving over sins of the past;
Or not vowing former life-style reverse,
And keep putting worldly things first, God last;
Or the Bible not gleaning, truths rehearse;
Or doubting Jesus was raised from the dead,
Is living in heaven and will return;
Then, my friend, you’re still lost, and ought to
dread
That your lack of faith the Lord can discern!
Though you fill a pew till your backside smarts,
It won’t save you; He knows what’s in our
hearts!
*kith = friends
Promise Made: 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)—“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height [in choosing David to be anointed king over Israel], for I have rejected him [Eliab, David’s older brother]. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at, Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’ “ (NIV) [Brackets added]
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Making it public, kith* and kin to please;
Or to smooth the path to career’s success;
Or thinking to insure your less disease;
Or ungrieving over sins of the past;
Or not vowing former life-style reverse,
And keep putting worldly things first, God last;
Or the Bible not gleaning, truths rehearse;
Or doubting Jesus was raised from the dead,
Is living in heaven and will return;
Then, my friend, you’re still lost, and ought to
dread
That your lack of faith the Lord can discern!
Though you fill a pew till your backside smarts,
It won’t save you; He knows what’s in our
hearts!
*kith = friends
Promise Made: 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)—“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height [in choosing David to be anointed king over Israel], for I have rejected him [Eliab, David’s older brother]. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at, Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’ “ (NIV) [Brackets added]
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
GPP 42: Christians Sun, Too
If in Jesus Christ is Lord, you do believe;
That He was raised from the dead, and still lives;
Then guilt for all your sins, He will relieve—
Your past and future sins both He forgives!
O yes, dear friend, those “born again” still sin,
Though trying to control their same old flesh;
It e’er retains evil desires within;
The body, unlike the will, can’t refresh!
E’en so, true belief brings true salvation;
Rejection brings sure death and long torment!
Why blindly choose eternal damnation,
When life eternal from Jesus is sent?
Do you falsely think your lifestyle the best,
When in Jesus only you can be blest?
Promise Made: 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (Paul writes)
“Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God.”
Comment: Every Christian, or church member, sins, and knows he or she sins, after accepting Jesus as Lord of his life. He or she is not made perfect simply by accepting Jesus. It is not fair or accurate to call church members “hypocrites” because others see imperfections in them. They know they are not sinless No church has a single member, including the preacher, who does not continue to commit sin. What, then, is the difference between a Christian and a non-Christian? The difference is in the will or desire: The Christian is earnestly trying to avoid committing sin, and he or she has God’s Holy Spirit indwelling, trying to teach him or her love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control; the non-Christian is embracing sin as a lifestyle, has no Holy Spirit, and sees no need to make a change.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
That He was raised from the dead, and still lives;
Then guilt for all your sins, He will relieve—
Your past and future sins both He forgives!
O yes, dear friend, those “born again” still sin,
Though trying to control their same old flesh;
It e’er retains evil desires within;
The body, unlike the will, can’t refresh!
E’en so, true belief brings true salvation;
Rejection brings sure death and long torment!
Why blindly choose eternal damnation,
When life eternal from Jesus is sent?
Do you falsely think your lifestyle the best,
When in Jesus only you can be blest?
Promise Made: 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (Paul writes)
“Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God.”
Comment: Every Christian, or church member, sins, and knows he or she sins, after accepting Jesus as Lord of his life. He or she is not made perfect simply by accepting Jesus. It is not fair or accurate to call church members “hypocrites” because others see imperfections in them. They know they are not sinless No church has a single member, including the preacher, who does not continue to commit sin. What, then, is the difference between a Christian and a non-Christian? The difference is in the will or desire: The Christian is earnestly trying to avoid committing sin, and he or she has God’s Holy Spirit indwelling, trying to teach him or her love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control; the non-Christian is embracing sin as a lifestyle, has no Holy Spirit, and sees no need to make a change.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Monday, August 22, 2011
GPP 41: Jesus Is Returning
Astronauts in womb-like suits drift in space,
Attached by tethers to the mother-ship,
But tetherless Jesus ascended apace
To heaven, crowning redemption’s trip!
Not a myth, nor dead, He’s alive today,
Managing the affairs of earth and space;
Things occur just as the Bible does say;
The future, too, which Satan can’t erase!
Christ is coming back, this time in full might;
Israel accepts Him as their Lord and King;
Earth’s evil falls before His holy Right;
Peace and justice for all, does His rule bring!
The disciples watched Jesus’ first ascent;
The whole world will watch His Second descent!
Promise Made: Acts 1:9—“After he [Jesus] said this, he was taken up before their [the disciples, about 120 men and women] very eyes and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going when suddenly two men dressed in white [angels from heaven] stood beside them. ‘Men of Galilee,’ they said, ‘why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.’ “ (NIV) [Brackets added]
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only
begotten Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Attached by tethers to the mother-ship,
But tetherless Jesus ascended apace
To heaven, crowning redemption’s trip!
Not a myth, nor dead, He’s alive today,
Managing the affairs of earth and space;
Things occur just as the Bible does say;
The future, too, which Satan can’t erase!
Christ is coming back, this time in full might;
Israel accepts Him as their Lord and King;
Earth’s evil falls before His holy Right;
Peace and justice for all, does His rule bring!
The disciples watched Jesus’ first ascent;
The whole world will watch His Second descent!
Promise Made: Acts 1:9—“After he [Jesus] said this, he was taken up before their [the disciples, about 120 men and women] very eyes and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going when suddenly two men dressed in white [angels from heaven] stood beside them. ‘Men of Galilee,’ they said, ‘why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.’ “ (NIV) [Brackets added]
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only
begotten Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Saturday, August 20, 2011
GPP 40: More Than Conquerers
We are more than conquerors through the Lord,
For He gives power and wisdom to win;
Such are not from us, or our own accord,
But furnished by Christ in war against sin!
The Holy Spirit, unseen by the foe,
Supplies the words and tells us what to do;
Ever on alert, ahead He does go;
Strength He heightens, and courage does renew!
God is the victor, whatever we face;
His saved ones will never suffer defeat—
Righteousness the breastplate their hearts encase,
And with belts of truth their wisdom replete!
Through the Spirit only does such might come;
By the letter of the Law, death’s the sum!
Promise Made: 2 Corinthians 3:5-6 (Paul writes)
“Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit, for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
For He gives power and wisdom to win;
Such are not from us, or our own accord,
But furnished by Christ in war against sin!
The Holy Spirit, unseen by the foe,
Supplies the words and tells us what to do;
Ever on alert, ahead He does go;
Strength He heightens, and courage does renew!
God is the victor, whatever we face;
His saved ones will never suffer defeat—
Righteousness the breastplate their hearts encase,
And with belts of truth their wisdom replete!
Through the Spirit only does such might come;
By the letter of the Law, death’s the sum!
Promise Made: 2 Corinthians 3:5-6 (Paul writes)
“Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit, for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Thursday, August 18, 2011
GPP 39: The Least Will Be Greatest
The humblest here will be the greatest there,
Contrary to standards men value most;
He who here wrests and holds the higher share
Is esteemed and served by the larger host!
Humility reigns supreme in God’s sphere,
Whose Son came to serve, not be served any;
He made men, but they were His masters here—
His life was given ransom for many!
His apostles argued, Who would be great?,
As He prepared to die, day upon day;
Who will serve the others, early and late?
To humbly serve—that is the Kingdom way!
Jesus showed them how to live and to serve;
The apostles should their Leader observe!
Promise Made: Matthew 20:25-28—“Jesus called them [the apostles, who were arguing with each other] together and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles [all non-Jewish peoples] lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you [believers, who are members of the Kingdom of God]. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man [Jesus] did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.’ “ [Brackets added]
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Contrary to standards men value most;
He who here wrests and holds the higher share
Is esteemed and served by the larger host!
Humility reigns supreme in God’s sphere,
Whose Son came to serve, not be served any;
He made men, but they were His masters here—
His life was given ransom for many!
His apostles argued, Who would be great?,
As He prepared to die, day upon day;
Who will serve the others, early and late?
To humbly serve—that is the Kingdom way!
Jesus showed them how to live and to serve;
The apostles should their Leader observe!
Promise Made: Matthew 20:25-28—“Jesus called them [the apostles, who were arguing with each other] together and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles [all non-Jewish peoples] lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you [believers, who are members of the Kingdom of God]. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man [Jesus] did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.’ “ [Brackets added]
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Monday, August 15, 2011
GPP 38: Free Indeed
Satan has locked world culture in deceit,
And all who pursue it are slaves of sin;
Hell’s jaws are open wide for their receipt,
As daily they pour to torment within!
They heard of Jesus, whom they rejected,
Believing instead the lies of the world;
With distrusting Bible they’re injected;
At disciples of Christ, insults are hurled!
Their need: To accept Jesus’ true teaching,
To see how world culture is so corrupt;
To give them new life, Jesus is reaching,
Their headlong rush to hell to interrupt!
The Son wants you from sin’s grip to be freed;
If He sets you free, you are free indeed!
Promise Made: John 8:34-36—“Jesus replied, ‘I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son [referring to a believer in Jesus, who is adopted into the family of God as a brother to Jesus] belongs to it forever. So if the Son [Jesus] sets you free, you will be free indeed.’ “ [Brackets added]
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Satan has locked world culture in deceit,
And all who pursue it are slaves of sin;
Hell’s jaws are open wide for their receipt,
As daily they pour to torment within!
They heard of Jesus, whom they rejected,
Believing instead the lies of the world;
With distrusting Bible they’re injected;
At disciples of Christ, insults are hurled!
Their need: To accept Jesus’ true teaching,
To see how world culture is so corrupt;
To give them new life, Jesus is reaching,
Their headlong rush to hell to interrupt!
The Son wants you from sin’s grip to be freed;
If He sets you free, you are free indeed!
Promise Made: John 8:34-36—“Jesus replied, ‘I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son [referring to a believer in Jesus, who is adopted into the family of God as a brother to Jesus] belongs to it forever. So if the Son [Jesus] sets you free, you will be free indeed.’ “ [Brackets added]
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Sunday, August 14, 2011
GPP 37: A Living Hope
A living hope comes to one born again—
Hope of being raised like Christ from the dead;
Hope of new life, undying, with no pain;
Hope of no more grief, and no tears are shed!
How sweet would this life be, with hope so grand!
You may not know: It could belong to you!
Whosoever with Jesus Christ will stand
Inherits these and other blessings, too!
Most “hopes” are at best “maybes” and “mights”,
But these are ensured by God Almighty,
Creator of matter, man, heat, and light,
King of Kings, Who keepeth all things tidy!
Believe in Jesus; these hopes come to you,
Cheering this life, and the life to ensue!
Promise Made: 1 Peter 1:3-5 (Peter writes)—
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth with a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.”
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Hope of being raised like Christ from the dead;
Hope of new life, undying, with no pain;
Hope of no more grief, and no tears are shed!
How sweet would this life be, with hope so grand!
You may not know: It could belong to you!
Whosoever with Jesus Christ will stand
Inherits these and other blessings, too!
Most “hopes” are at best “maybes” and “mights”,
But these are ensured by God Almighty,
Creator of matter, man, heat, and light,
King of Kings, Who keepeth all things tidy!
Believe in Jesus; these hopes come to you,
Cheering this life, and the life to ensue!
Promise Made: 1 Peter 1:3-5 (Peter writes)—
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth with a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.”
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Saturday, August 13, 2011
GPP 37: A Living Hope
A living hope comes to one born again—
Hope of being raised like Christ from the dead;
Hope of new life, undying, with no pain;
Hope of no more grief, and no tears are shed!
How sweet would this life be, with hope so grand!
You may not know: It could belong to you!
Whosoever with Jesus Christ will stand
Inherits these and other blessings, too!
Most “hopes” are at best “maybes” and “mights”,
But these are ensured by God Almighty,
Creator of matter, man, heat, and light,
King of Kings, Who keepeth all things tidy!
Believe in Jesus; these hopes come to you,
Cheering this life, and the life to ensue!
Promise Made: 1 Peter 1:3-5 (Peter writes)—
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth with a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.”
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
A living hope comes to one born again—
Hope of being raised like Christ from the dead;
Hope of new life, undying, with no pain;
Hope of no more grief, and no tears are shed!
How sweet would this life be, with hope so grand!
You may not know: It could belong to you!
Whosoever with Jesus Christ will stand
Inherits these and other blessings, too!
Most “hopes” are at best “maybes” and “mights”,
But these are ensured by God Almighty,
Creator of matter, man, heat, and light,
King of Kings, Who keepeth all things tidy!
Believe in Jesus; these hopes come to you,
Cheering this life, and the life to ensue!
Promise Made: 1 Peter 1:3-5 (Peter writes)—
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth with a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.”
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Friday, August 12, 2011
GPP 36: Complete Joy In Christ
I ask a riddle: What makes joy complete?
The lives we live are hard and full of strife;
Our joy comes in dribs and drabs, non-replete;
No matter the toil, total joy eludes life!
It need not be, lest stiff-necked’s what you are;
So many things that can make life worthwhile
Come to you free, when Jesus is your star,
And you mean to follow Him ev’ry mile!
Your joy is complete, when Jesus loves you,
And He loves all who obey His commands;
Let the Spirit guide in all that you do,
And in the Savior’s love, take all your stands!
The Spirit’s advice is trustworthy, too,
But conscience, like the world, flounders untrue!
Promise made: John 15:10-11 (Jesus speaking)—
“ ‘If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.’ “
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Roman 10:9)
The lives we live are hard and full of strife;
Our joy comes in dribs and drabs, non-replete;
No matter the toil, total joy eludes life!
It need not be, lest stiff-necked’s what you are;
So many things that can make life worthwhile
Come to you free, when Jesus is your star,
And you mean to follow Him ev’ry mile!
Your joy is complete, when Jesus loves you,
And He loves all who obey His commands;
Let the Spirit guide in all that you do,
And in the Savior’s love, take all your stands!
The Spirit’s advice is trustworthy, too,
But conscience, like the world, flounders untrue!
Promise made: John 15:10-11 (Jesus speaking)—
“ ‘If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.’ “
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Roman 10:9)
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
GPP 35: Peace With God
A wall between God and the human race
Stands impregnable, the result of sin;
All souls face spiritual death, but God’s grace
Bestowed, gave Jesus, victory to win!
God’s Son died, the one way to break the wall;
That whoever believed was born again,
Given new life through faith, the wall will fall—
God sees Christ in them, not their own sin’s stain!
None has peace with God, if unborn anew;
Belief in Jesus gives one that new life,
But reject Him—the wall blocks God’s view;
Those born but once are still in sin and strife!
Mister Non-believer! Tear down that wall!
Receive God’s Son Jesus! On His name call!
Promise made: Ephesians 2:14-15 (Paul writes)—
“For he [Jesus] himself is our peace, who has made the two [one person’s natural body and the same person’s ‘born again’ new body] one, and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law [Mosaic plus any man-made law for salvation] with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create for himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace.” [Brackets added]
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16]
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Stands impregnable, the result of sin;
All souls face spiritual death, but God’s grace
Bestowed, gave Jesus, victory to win!
God’s Son died, the one way to break the wall;
That whoever believed was born again,
Given new life through faith, the wall will fall—
God sees Christ in them, not their own sin’s stain!
None has peace with God, if unborn anew;
Belief in Jesus gives one that new life,
But reject Him—the wall blocks God’s view;
Those born but once are still in sin and strife!
Mister Non-believer! Tear down that wall!
Receive God’s Son Jesus! On His name call!
Promise made: Ephesians 2:14-15 (Paul writes)—
“For he [Jesus] himself is our peace, who has made the two [one person’s natural body and the same person’s ‘born again’ new body] one, and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law [Mosaic plus any man-made law for salvation] with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create for himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace.” [Brackets added]
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16]
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Monday, August 8, 2011
GPP 34: Peace And Hope
Do any live on the earth that do not yearn
God does exist, and His grace brings them glory?
But God is; the fact that cools such a burn
Can be one’s faith in Jesus Christ’s story!
When one believes Jesus Lord, and alive,
Running the world today from God’s great throne,
One has peace of mind, and in life does thrive,
For grace comes through faith—one becomes God’s
own!
God pours grace upon believers in Christ;
His Son Jesus is the key to God’s heart;
Trust Jesus, and you’ll heaven’s gates incise;
Grace does hope of eternal life impart!
Living life without Jesus is not wise,
When faith through grace yields peace and no
surprise!
Promise Made: Romans 5:1-2 (Paul writes)—“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.”
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
God does exist, and His grace brings them glory?
But God is; the fact that cools such a burn
Can be one’s faith in Jesus Christ’s story!
When one believes Jesus Lord, and alive,
Running the world today from God’s great throne,
One has peace of mind, and in life does thrive,
For grace comes through faith—one becomes God’s
own!
God pours grace upon believers in Christ;
His Son Jesus is the key to God’s heart;
Trust Jesus, and you’ll heaven’s gates incise;
Grace does hope of eternal life impart!
Living life without Jesus is not wise,
When faith through grace yields peace and no
surprise!
Promise Made: Romans 5:1-2 (Paul writes)—“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.”
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Saturday, August 6, 2011
GPP 33: King Without End
From the Mount of Olives He ascending,
The risen Jesus, the Christ, in public view;
In pow’r returning, likewise descending;
Bodies and souls rejoin; long lives ensue!
God’s trumpet sounds forth; Christ’s shepherd’s
voice calls;
The angels find dead believers’ remains;
Into each new body, Jesus installs
Its still-living soul, which He now retains!
Saved persons on earth, who’s yet alive,
Change in a flash, rise up, with all, unite;
Christ, the Groom; all the hosts of saved, His Bride;
Lead angel armies toward earth, with might!
No mild Jesus this, facing evil men—
He makes war, judges, and reigns without end!
Promise Made: 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 (Paul writes)—“For the Lord [Christ Jesus] himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.” [Brackets added]
“For Jesus so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
The risen Jesus, the Christ, in public view;
In pow’r returning, likewise descending;
Bodies and souls rejoin; long lives ensue!
God’s trumpet sounds forth; Christ’s shepherd’s
voice calls;
The angels find dead believers’ remains;
Into each new body, Jesus installs
Its still-living soul, which He now retains!
Saved persons on earth, who’s yet alive,
Change in a flash, rise up, with all, unite;
Christ, the Groom; all the hosts of saved, His Bride;
Lead angel armies toward earth, with might!
No mild Jesus this, facing evil men—
He makes war, judges, and reigns without end!
Promise Made: 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 (Paul writes)—“For the Lord [Christ Jesus] himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.” [Brackets added]
“For Jesus so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Thursday, August 4, 2011
GPP 32: Grave Holds No Body
When the trumpet sounds, and Christ comes again,
On earth some Christians will be living still;
The dead in Christ shall rise, and lead the train;
Heaven’s hosts and the saved the sky will fill!
In the twinkling of an eye, live ones change,
Their rising bodies become lasting new;
Remains of saved dead come forth from crypts
strange,
Their bodies restored, everlasting, too!
That happy meeting ‘twixt Savior and saint,
When each dead in Christ retrieves his own soul,
Begs for master artist to lasting paint—
Christ leading His armies—on timeless scroll!
O death! Where is your sting, the wage of sin?
You could not hold sinless Jesus therein!
Promise Made: 1 Corinthians 15:51-55 (Paul writes)—“Listen, I tell you a mystery. We will not all sleep [meaning, die], but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true. ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory.“ [Brackets added]
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
On earth some Christians will be living still;
The dead in Christ shall rise, and lead the train;
Heaven’s hosts and the saved the sky will fill!
In the twinkling of an eye, live ones change,
Their rising bodies become lasting new;
Remains of saved dead come forth from crypts
strange,
Their bodies restored, everlasting, too!
That happy meeting ‘twixt Savior and saint,
When each dead in Christ retrieves his own soul,
Begs for master artist to lasting paint—
Christ leading His armies—on timeless scroll!
O death! Where is your sting, the wage of sin?
You could not hold sinless Jesus therein!
Promise Made: 1 Corinthians 15:51-55 (Paul writes)—“Listen, I tell you a mystery. We will not all sleep [meaning, die], but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true. ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory.“ [Brackets added]
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
GPP 31: Chosen By God
Hundreds of wonders done in public view
Should have convinced Jews Jesus was the Christ,
For what mortal could such miracles do;
That He was divine, should they not suffice?
Some believed by hearing His words alone,
Not seeing Him one miracle perform;
They were chosen by God to be His own,
In mercy, before they were even born!
Were the others doomed by God to be lost,
Before their conceptions did their lives begin?
No soul is condemned to pay such great cost,
Unless they have denied Jesus God did send!
God, in mercy, the saved pre-elected;
By free will, the lost Jesus rejected!
Promise Made: John 10:24-28—“The Jews gathered around him [Jesus, in the temple] saying, ‘How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.’ Jesus answered, ‘I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe, because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.’ “ [Brackets added]
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Should have convinced Jews Jesus was the Christ,
For what mortal could such miracles do;
That He was divine, should they not suffice?
Some believed by hearing His words alone,
Not seeing Him one miracle perform;
They were chosen by God to be His own,
In mercy, before they were even born!
Were the others doomed by God to be lost,
Before their conceptions did their lives begin?
No soul is condemned to pay such great cost,
Unless they have denied Jesus God did send!
God, in mercy, the saved pre-elected;
By free will, the lost Jesus rejected!
Promise Made: John 10:24-28—“The Jews gathered around him [Jesus, in the temple] saying, ‘How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.’ Jesus answered, ‘I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe, because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.’ “ [Brackets added]
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
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