GPP 98: Persecution On Earth

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

GPP 90: Staying Close To God

Unswerving in hope of eternal life;
Based on trust in Christ Jesus’ faithfulness;
Keeping cleansed from sin in this mortal strife;
The saved stay near to God and holiness!
Armed with God’s Spirit and His seven fruits*,
The Christian can reduce committing sin—
His Internal Guide whispers intuits
In a still, small voice, heard only within!
Yes, the saved on earth do commit new sin,
Because the flesh toward evil is prone;
Confess they must, God’s fellowship to mend,
With confidence staying nearHis throne!
The Spirit is quick to quench if ignored;
Follow His advice, and His council’s roared!

*See Galatians 5:22

Promise Made: Hebrews 10:22-23—“let us [the saved; believers in Jesus] draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water [meaning, cleansed from our sins by the blood of Jesus Christ, having confessed them]. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess [the promise of eternal life with Christ in heaven], for he who promised is faithful.” (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

GPP 89: Already With God

If you are truly saved, God thinks of you
As already dwelling with Him, even now,
Though years may pass ere your earth-life is
through,
And to live like Jesus, you don’t know how!
God sealed you as His, when you first believed;
In your mortal body His Spirit dwells,
Teaching you to walk as if undeceived,
Instilling traits* that aid sinful acts quell!
God knows no mortal can be sanctified**,
Until death frees his soul from evil flesh,
And Christ’s righteousness to it applied,
So an angel-like body God gives fresh***!
God considers all this already done,
When you accept Jesus Christ as His Son!

*traits = fruits of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22
**sanctified = living without committing sin
***See 1 Corinthians 15:52

Promise Made: 1 Corinthians 6:11 (Paul writes)—
“…But you [believers in Jesus] were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified [adopted into the family of God] in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God.” (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)

GPP 88: No Condemnation For The Saved

God’s law brings eternal torment for sin,
Which ev’ry human has promptly incurred,
Is set at naught for those women and men
Who trust in Jesus, His creating Word*!
Once in God’s hand, no power in the world
Can any remove, nor condemnation
Re-threaten them ever to hell be hurled,
For the hand of God rules all creation!
In Christ is freedom and life forever;
Forgiveness of sin; love, joy, and sweet peace;
Come to Him while you breathe—after, never;
When earth-life ends, no chance Jesus to seize!
The people of earth in death’s darkness lay,
Till the light of Jesus pushed night away!

*John 1:1

Promise Made: Romans 8:1-2 (Paul writes)—
“Therefore, there is now [that is, after the first coming of Jesus] no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus [those saved by their belief in Jesus as Lord], because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.” (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)

GPP 87: Jesus' Second Coming

The eastern sky will so with glory fill,
That none on earth can skeptical remain;
Lord Jesus comes, His government instill;
Sin’s captives free; on David’s throne reign!
Non-believers have good reason to mourn,
Their rebellious lives naked before God,
Having refused ev’ry plea to be re-born;
Knowing it’s fore’er too late His paths trod!
Israel grieves to see Him, the Nazarene,
For well they know Jesus they crucified,
And through His grace that truth they’ve now seen:
It was at their hands their own Savior died!
Justice delayed is not justice denied—
True justice shall the Lord Jesus provide!

Promise Made: Revelation 1:7 (John writes)—“Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced [crucified] him, and all the people of earth will mourn because of him. So will it be! Amen.” (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)

GPP 86: When Dying Is Gain

To those persons who in Jesus believe,
A most comforting promise has been made—
All their dead bodies will the Lord retrieve,
Formed new, undying, and to Him conveyed!
They’ll join Him in the clouds*, never to part;
With joy and perfect peace, they unfazed face
Great perils in this world—sword, fire and dart—
That others marvel they die with such grace!
Precious to the Lord are deaths of His saints**,
Leaving this vale of tears with happy smiles;
From their lips bystanders hear no complaints,
Even toward him whose own hand defiles!
To die in Christ is of far greater worth,
Than to live on Satan’s perverted earth!

*1 Thessalonians 4:17
**Philippians 1:21

Promise Made: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (Paul writes)—“For the Lord himself will come 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 in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” (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)

GPP 85: Jesus, The Crucified, Rules

“It is finished!” Jesus cried from the cross,
Meaning, His redemption plan was complete—
Satan’s death-grip on men was fore’er lost;
Jesus’ resurrection sealed the defeat!
Now, Christ Jesus ascended to glory,
Retrieving the throne He’d owned before time,
Successful in planting the gospel story,
His mission accomplished uncommon fine!
Welcomed by heaven’s hosts with joy and praise,
He was enthroned on the right hand of God;
Took control of all things, in all their ways,
His scepter everlasting, and His rod!
Honor and praise to the Lord Jesus Christ,
Who brought men salvation at such a price!

Promise Made: Acts 1:10-11 (Luke writes)—
“They [about 120 disciples of Jesus] were looking intently up into the sky [having seen Christ Jesus ascending out of sight] as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white [angels] 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)

GPP 84: Boldly Approaching God

God doesn’t give Christians all that they ask;
Several conditions must first be met—
God’s sovereign will must include the task,
And “in Jesus’ name” askers not forget!
But He hears ev’ry plea disciples make,
Responding “yes” to some, “no” to others,
Or sends better than pled for mercy’s sake,
And some askers, no answer uncovers!
Like children beseeching their human dads,
Christians call God “Abba”*, boldly pleading
The Almighty for worthy gifts and fads;
He from gold the chaff constantly weeding!
The heavenly Father knows how to give
That which His children need for them to live!

“Abba” = “Daddy”

Promise Made: 1 John 5:14-15—“This is the confidence we have in approaching God; that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we ask of him.” (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)

GPP 82: So Great A Faith

To receive from God “whatever you ask”
Requires faith in Jesus as Lord so strong
That one who has it can face any task,
Certain of success, that nothing will go wrong!
His belief in God and life eternal,
Is greater to him than his life on earth;
He lives to thwart the devil infernal,
His mind set on Christ, to Him be of worth!
So few Christians today possess such trust
That, though miracles come, most are unseen—
Bread to one starving, one life-saving crust;
Cancers healed, though doctors had quit the scene!
Paul had enough faith, for he raised the dead*,
He of all things put Jesus Christ ahead!

*Acts 20:10-12

Promise Made: Matthew 21:22 (Jesus speaks)—
“ ‘If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.’ “ (NIV)

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believed 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 10:0)

GPP 81: You Must Open The Door

To receive, find, or let Jesus come in,
A person must first open his heart’s door;
Though Christ is eager your new life begin,
He waits until His mercy you implore!
Jesus wants each and all great gifts receive;
He gave up glory to come die as man,
That with free will some would in Him believe,
Unbought, unforced, trusting His offered hand!
Your trust brings new life now of joy and peace,
Continued after death, everlasting;
He gives awesome gifts to your righteous pleas,
His love through you to others outcasting!
These gifts are yours only because you trust,
When you freely come, not because you must!

Promise Made: Matthew 7:7-11 (Jesus speaks)—
“ ‘Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened. Which of you, when his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven to those who ask him?’ “
(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)

GPP 80: Prayer Tops Technology

Before the internet was invented;
Or orbiting satellites circled earth;
Or moving pictures, wireless presented;
Man prayed; God heard; and a virgin gave birth!
Top that, you dollar-craving techno-race!
All your rivals would go to early tombs,
If your gadgets could read thoughts across space,
Or conceive real babes in make-believe wombs!
Jonah prayed, from inside a diving whale;
God heard, and had him cast safely ashore;
His prayer was free, not even on sale;
No shipping charge for God’s answer, what’s more!
God’s mercies are free to those who believe;
Free, too, for you, if Jesus you believe!

Promise Mace: Psalm 65:2,5 (David sings)—“O you who hear prayer, to you all men will come. … You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness. O God, our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest sea.” (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)

GPP 70: Choose Jesus While You Mat

A person born will most certainly die,
But the Bible says all will live again;
Then why live on in torment, and not on high,
If choosing Jesus now, dying is gain*?
It’s easy to believe you live by chance—
That nature made you and will take you back;
Enjoy to the hilt this brief selfish dance,
For after one round, soon all will be black!
But God made you to live forevermore,
Giving you just this life Jesus to choose,
Thus to live joyous inside heaven’s door;
Ignore Him, and future happiness lose!
Choose to live in bliss today, while you breathe,
For when you don’t, endless years you will
grieve!

*Philippians 1:21

Promise Made: Romans 8:38-39 (Paul writes)—
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God, that is in Christ Jesus, our Lord.” (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)

GPP 78: Whosoever Will

Before creation God had the whole list
Of persons to be conceived during time;
He knew those who would the gospel resist,
And those who would accept new life sublime!
The latter knows the Good Shepherd’s kind voice,
And comes to Jesus, trusting what is heard;
The former are so mired in sin by choice,
Miracles won’t convince, nor truthful word!
Yet, all can be saved who on The Name call*—
The name Jesus, who is the Lord and Christ;
“Whosoever will”, salvation for all
Who call upon Jesus’ name, the one price!
God foreknew who’d be saved, and who’d be
lost,
Yet, the will of each determines his cost!

*Joel 2:32; Romans 10:9

Promise Made: John 6:37 (Jesus speaks)—“ ‘All [persons] that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive 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)

GPP 77: Jesus Always At Your Side

He walked on water three and a half miles;
He fed five thousand on a brown sack lunch;
He cast out demons who knew His wiles;
He healed ten lepers in a single bunch!
He restored the sight of one blind from birth;
He changed barrels of water to choice wine;
The message He taught swept through all earth;
He raised the dead and healed the dying!
He was killed but came back live the third day;
He rose beyond space wearing no space suit;
He rules on God’s throne and has all the say;
He helps believers in producing fruit!
Who wouldn’t want Him ever near beside?
He’ll go with any along for the ride!

Promise Made: Matthew 28:20b (Jesus speaks)—
“ ‘And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’ “ (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)