GPP 98: Persecution On Earth
O! You that are inclined to accept Christ,
Enthroning Him as the Lord of your life,
Are you willing to pay the mortal price—
The world’s hatred, persecution, and strife?
They killed the prophets, and Jesus Himself;
Rejecting God, men refuse to believe;
Content not only to seek pow’r and pelf*,
To stamp God out, they desire to achieve!
You’re apt to suffer in your earthly days,
If you stand firm as a child of the Lord;
Small cost indeed, compared to Jesus’ praise
And eternal life; great is your reward!
Hearts are hardened, after once rejecting—
They harbor hatred, self-pride protecting!
*pelf = money
Promise Made: Matthew 5:10-12 (Jesus speaks)—
“ ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.’ “ (NIV)
“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, December 16, 2011
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
GPP 97L Ears That Don't Hear
Some heard the good news that Jesus proclaimed,
But would not let their minds consider Him;
Their rebellious hearts His message defamed—
What knowledge they possessed, God took from
them!
Blest were those who heard the Savior with joy,
Drinking in His words, and eager for more;
When His teachings they began to employ,
Each new day’s wisdom added to their store!
So has it been since; so it is today:
Some ears are closed, and Jesus they reject,
Ne’er giving the Spirit chance them to sway,
Their Creator’s entreaties to inspect!
Some have ears that hear; hear they surely will;
Others’ ears are closed, and their chances nil!
Promise Made: Matthew 13:12 (Jesus speaks)—
“ ‘Whoever has [ears that hear] will be given more, and he will have an abundance [of knowledge of truth]. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away.’ “ (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)
But would not let their minds consider Him;
Their rebellious hearts His message defamed—
What knowledge they possessed, God took from
them!
Blest were those who heard the Savior with joy,
Drinking in His words, and eager for more;
When His teachings they began to employ,
Each new day’s wisdom added to their store!
So has it been since; so it is today:
Some ears are closed, and Jesus they reject,
Ne’er giving the Spirit chance them to sway,
Their Creator’s entreaties to inspect!
Some have ears that hear; hear they surely will;
Others’ ears are closed, and their chances nil!
Promise Made: Matthew 13:12 (Jesus speaks)—
“ ‘Whoever has [ears that hear] will be given more, and he will have an abundance [of knowledge of truth]. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away.’ “ (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)
Monday, December 12, 2011
GPP 86: Rewards Heaped
To follow Jesus as Lord of your life;
Putting Him first with your body, mind, heart;
Often engenders great gut-wrenching strife,
If job, home, loved ones, you’re required to part!
Such were the apostles called on to leave;
They gave their very lives for Jesus’ sake,
And so should you, if in Him you believe,
Following whate’er path He tells you to take!
He asks and expects you to give your all;
When it’s done, rewards upon you are heaped,
Greater than you possessed before your call,
A hundred times more than you would have reaped!
You’ll be a child of God, co-heir with Christ,
Eternally living in Paradise!
Promise Made: Matthew 19:29 (Jesus speaks)—
“ ‘And everyone who has left homes or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.’ “ (NIV)
“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)
Putting Him first with your body, mind, heart;
Often engenders great gut-wrenching strife,
If job, home, loved ones, you’re required to part!
Such were the apostles called on to leave;
They gave their very lives for Jesus’ sake,
And so should you, if in Him you believe,
Following whate’er path He tells you to take!
He asks and expects you to give your all;
When it’s done, rewards upon you are heaped,
Greater than you possessed before your call,
A hundred times more than you would have reaped!
You’ll be a child of God, co-heir with Christ,
Eternally living in Paradise!
Promise Made: Matthew 19:29 (Jesus speaks)—
“ ‘And everyone who has left homes or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.’ “ (NIV)
“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, December 10, 2011
GPP 95: Sins Acknowledged
David loved God and was loved in return,
But he committed sin, as do all men;
Within him guilt made his soul to burn,
Till repentance did God’s fellowship mend!
Like David, all saved offend God with sins,
And keep them secret a short or long time;
The Spirit plagues them on needles and pins,
Until they acknowledge to God their crime!
Sins of the saved are all pre-forgiven—
For none of them is there condemnation*,
But sin unconfessed, fellowship’s riven—
‘Tween God and child, a distant relation!
Constant communion between God and you
Requires complete frankness of sins you do!
*See Romans 8:1
Promise Made: Psalm 32:3-6 (David sings)—“When I kept silent [after his adultery with Bathsheba and murder of her husband], my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your [the Lord’s] hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord’—and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Therefore let everyone pray to you while you may be found. …” (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)
But he committed sin, as do all men;
Within him guilt made his soul to burn,
Till repentance did God’s fellowship mend!
Like David, all saved offend God with sins,
And keep them secret a short or long time;
The Spirit plagues them on needles and pins,
Until they acknowledge to God their crime!
Sins of the saved are all pre-forgiven—
For none of them is there condemnation*,
But sin unconfessed, fellowship’s riven—
‘Tween God and child, a distant relation!
Constant communion between God and you
Requires complete frankness of sins you do!
*See Romans 8:1
Promise Made: Psalm 32:3-6 (David sings)—“When I kept silent [after his adultery with Bathsheba and murder of her husband], my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your [the Lord’s] hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord’—and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Therefore let everyone pray to you while you may be found. …” (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)
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
GPP 94: Worth Many Sparrows
When Jesus sent the twelve to spread good news,
He warned they’d be hated because of Him;
Though victims they sure were of much abuse,
The heavenly Father took care of them!
Are sparrows not sold a penny for two,
Yet each falls only when the Father wills?
Of how much more worth to the Lord are you,
Who the entire world with His gospel fills?
The very hairs on your heads are numbered;
God watches over you closely intent;
Fear not pain or death if such encumbered—
Your souls shall live with Him fore’er content!
Take no extra funds or clothes when you go;
God provides for those who His message sow!
Promise Made: Matthew 10:29-31 (Jesus speaks)—
“ ‘Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your heads are all numbered [the apostles, being instructed prior to their mission of preaching and healing in Israel). So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.’ “ (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)
He warned they’d be hated because of Him;
Though victims they sure were of much abuse,
The heavenly Father took care of them!
Are sparrows not sold a penny for two,
Yet each falls only when the Father wills?
Of how much more worth to the Lord are you,
Who the entire world with His gospel fills?
The very hairs on your heads are numbered;
God watches over you closely intent;
Fear not pain or death if such encumbered—
Your souls shall live with Him fore’er content!
Take no extra funds or clothes when you go;
God provides for those who His message sow!
Promise Made: Matthew 10:29-31 (Jesus speaks)—
“ ‘Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your heads are all numbered [the apostles, being instructed prior to their mission of preaching and healing in Israel). So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.’ “ (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)
Sunday, December 4, 2011
GPP 93: Children Of God
The saved in Christ are not as far from God
As ancient Israel, when just one man could
Draw nigh once each year, wearing clothes so odd,
Bells tinkled to warn, or kill him God would!
The Holy Spirit indwells each in Christ,
Thus God is close, in the believer’s mind,
Twenty-four seven, imparting advice
From inside, always strengthening and kind!
God adopts all who in His Son believe;
They have naught to fear, approaching His throne;
As sons and daughters, He does them receive,
Considering them children of His own!
Staying close to God, all their needs are met;
Drifting far away, the less help they get!
Promise Made: Hebrews 4:15-16—“For we [those who believe in Jesus as Lord] do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one [the Lord Jesus Christ] who has been tempted in every was just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us approach the throne of grace [meaning, believers’ prayers to and conversations with God] with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace [God’s gifts of blessing] to help us in our time of need.” (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)
As ancient Israel, when just one man could
Draw nigh once each year, wearing clothes so odd,
Bells tinkled to warn, or kill him God would!
The Holy Spirit indwells each in Christ,
Thus God is close, in the believer’s mind,
Twenty-four seven, imparting advice
From inside, always strengthening and kind!
God adopts all who in His Son believe;
They have naught to fear, approaching His throne;
As sons and daughters, He does them receive,
Considering them children of His own!
Staying close to God, all their needs are met;
Drifting far away, the less help they get!
Promise Made: Hebrews 4:15-16—“For we [those who believe in Jesus as Lord] do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one [the Lord Jesus Christ] who has been tempted in every was just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us approach the throne of grace [meaning, believers’ prayers to and conversations with God] with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace [God’s gifts of blessing] to help us in our time of need.” (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)
Friday, December 2, 2011
GPP 92: The Holy Spirit's Help
A new believer in Jesus as Lord
Knows not how to begin living anew;
God’s Spirit fast indwells*, his path to guard,
Like a conscience, showing him what to do!
The Spirit imposes guilt for misdeeds;
Urges to adopt new traits**, which spell love;
Intercedes with God for saints*** unknown needs;
Conveys unworded groans to Him above!
The Holy Spirit is Jesus in man,
Guiding him in living life that is new;
Without His aid, one is not born again,
Or he’s quenched Christ’s help his life to renew!
The Spirit-quenched saint is driftwood afloat,
Barely missing being classed as a goat!****
*See Romans 8:9
**See Galatians 5:22
***”saints” = Paul’s term for believers in Jesus
****See Matthew 25:33 and 41
Promise Made: Romans 8:26-27 (Paul writes)—
“… the [Holy] Spirit helps us [believers in Jesus as the Lord] in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he [the Lord God] who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, for the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.” (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)
Knows not how to begin living anew;
God’s Spirit fast indwells*, his path to guard,
Like a conscience, showing him what to do!
The Spirit imposes guilt for misdeeds;
Urges to adopt new traits**, which spell love;
Intercedes with God for saints*** unknown needs;
Conveys unworded groans to Him above!
The Holy Spirit is Jesus in man,
Guiding him in living life that is new;
Without His aid, one is not born again,
Or he’s quenched Christ’s help his life to renew!
The Spirit-quenched saint is driftwood afloat,
Barely missing being classed as a goat!****
*See Romans 8:9
**See Galatians 5:22
***”saints” = Paul’s term for believers in Jesus
****See Matthew 25:33 and 41
Promise Made: Romans 8:26-27 (Paul writes)—
“… the [Holy] Spirit helps us [believers in Jesus as the Lord] in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he [the Lord God] who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, for the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.” (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)
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