Gifts Accepted By Brenda Drake

Gifts Accepted

What would you think if someone received your gift,
And then attempted to pay for it?
You would think it silly and a waste,
If they insist, to the giver they cause disgrace.

God by Jesus’ sacrifice has offered you many things;
Countless gifts of promise He brings.
The greatest promise is Salvation for the soul.
Because of what Jesus did you are whole.
It is done, it is finished; you need only to believe.
Salvation is sure when it is received.

To give thanks and praise is all you need to do.
So great is this gift bestowed on you.
You cannot repay the Master for Salvation.
You cannot earn what He has done.
His love extended to die in your place.
Great is the gift of grace.

Under grace’s cover there are more gifts bestowed;
They are of much more valuable than silver or gold.
Gifts of guidance, provision, and care,
Gifts of His peace and joy are also with you shared.
The gift of accountability as He takes control,
Gifts of knowledge are shared to enrich and make you whole.
To worry or fear, at what lie ahead, is to try to a gift pay.
For it states God is unable to do as He says.
Accept His gift, rest in His love and care for thee,
Then you are walking in the gift of life with the spirit free.

Romans 3:24
Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Prayer
Forgive me when I worry, I know You are able to lead and guide my path.  Thank You for Your wonderful, generous gifts of love and provision. I will forever be grateful for the wonderful gift of Salvation!

The Tree of Celebration By Brenda Drake

            It is good to praise and celebrate the birth of the Lord.  A part of our celebration is the tree that we light and decorate. I celebrate every year the birth of Jesus the One that hung on a tree for the sins of us all.   

The Tree of Celebration by Brenda Drake

Once was the days of youth, when you searched for the tree;
Tromping through the snow with vigor and glee;
Laughing at each other’s choices,
Until “the one” chosen was proclaimed in jubilant voices.
Out came the treasured ornaments from the past and some new,
 A pretty angel or the star was placed on top too.
The dry fallen needles embedded in the cracks in the floor,
Were gladly endured to celebrate the birth of the Lord.
In later years came the tree that did not grow,
One that needed to be formed by a color code.
Beautiful still and still caused much pleasure;
Holding all your newest and oldest homemade treasures.
And now much later perhaps in your life,
The tree has shrunk down in your sight.
A tiny little tree that on a table sits;
But still your love and respect for Jesus represents.
With a tiny little tree, heart memories abound;
As you reminiscence tromping in snowy ground.
And you wonder at the change that has taken place within,
A you celebrate Christ’s birth watching palms blowing in the wind

Psalms 147:1
Praise ye the Lord: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.

Have a Good Christmas By Brenda Drake

            Jesus is the greatest gift ever bestowed upon man.  We celebrate the Christ’s birth by giving gifts to one another.  With him dwelling inside we are able to become a gift delivered from God.

Have a good Christmas.

From the hand should come assistance, from the heart… concern
From the eyes… a light of love should burn
From the mouth…. praise and worship, and words that uplift
The life of the child of God is a gift
A gift worth more than they know
For they were bought by Love that God bestowed
Man is a gift to man if within is God’s Son
Because of his contents… he a gift becomes
Do not withhold kindness, always share your life
Give of yourself,  as you practice self-sacrifice
Always do the good work, never put the good thought aside
By actions you prove to the dying world Who lives inside
Your willing heart and hands can do great service for the King
Your kind words and singled eye will a great harvest bring
Reach out and touch someone in Jesus’ name
For by your faithful service, you’ve a gift became
A lovely gift valued both by man and God above
A lovely gift filled with God’s own sweet love

Jerimiah 17:10
I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

John 20:21
Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

When Christmas Hurts By Brenda Drake

#check out my new daily devotional God’s Whispers to the Heart now available on Amazon $2.99 kindle and $17.00 paperback.

This is truly a wonderful time of year; even strangers seem to have ready smiles and greetings of good cheer.  In our excitement and bustle we forget Christmas time is lonely for many around us; life-situations have caused hurts and heartaches that have stolen the beauty of their holiday. Lord, help us to be aware of the feelings of others and remind us to lift their spirits by our prayers, love, and concern.

When Christmas Time Hurts

When Christmas-time hurts and joy has fled far away,
And there is no magic left in this once-special day.
All the sweet songs that once cheered now cause sadness within.
Oh how you would love to find pleasure in them again.
The hurting heart remembers sadly its personal loss,
And refuses to be cheered so their mind is cross.
Held in a prison unable to look outside to see,
The gift of the Christmas story that sets them free.
When Christmas-time hurts there is remedy to heal;
Its power is sure, its touch is real.
Find another person that has a heart that is down,
Do something, anything that removes their frown.
Find a little child that has lack,
Provide for them and your joy comes back.
Get your mind in things good, right, pure and true;
Set yourself to motion to the good thing do.
Bring your aching heart to the Father for His healing touch.
Renew your faith as you to Him entrust;
All the hurts, pains of this time of year,
Little by little the sweet joy and peace of Christmas reappears.

Luke 2:13-14
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

The Wrappings By Brenda Drake

The Wrappings

Whatever is gift placed under the tree.
It is the wrapping I desire for you to see.

The fine meal that is prepared;
What is of most value, you may not even be aware.

The traditions and memories that visit from the past,
Is a remnant of this gift that lasts.

The tears that fill the eyes on this day
Is another precious reminder of the gift portrayed

The favorite songs that encourage Christmas cheer;
Pour from the heart that has the gift near.

This gift is passed mother to daughter and father to son,
This gift from the cross to man comes.

Because of love the Father gave His Son to man;
Because of love Jesus obeyed and did as the Father planned.
Because of love the Holy Spirit speaks.
And will show God is Love to all who seek.
Because of love the redeemed man offers themselves;
As a servant to help get God’s message of love out.
This message is in a word of hope and peace.
They that are nourished by love causes great increase.
At this season allow your eyes to see and behold,
All the little gifts lavished on thee wrapped in love’s clothes.

Deepest Love By Brenda Drake

#Check out my new devotional on Amazon God’s Whispers to the Heart. $2.99 Kindle $17.00 Paperback. Please leave a review on Amazon ❤

What kind of love is this?  The One most- high, the one- most pure, reached down to the lowest most sinful to make him new. The Creator chose to become part of His Creation.  He chose to die to pay the price of sin so we could taste the beauty of His presence. Eternity will allow the redeemed to discover the marvel of such wondrously, deep love.

Deepest Love

A love so deep; the deepest ocean is like a puddle when compared.
A love so wide, the universe cannot have room to spare.
A joy that’s description has never known words to fully teach;
That eon of times ahead and past cannot its limit reach.
A heart so big; a plan so marvelous and grand,
That no mortal ever was, is, or is to be, fully understands.
What is man that God would place upon him the gift of His love?
Why would He look upon him with such favor from above?
So grand; He planned to make sinful man as clean as His own Son.
And desires to join them forever with Him as one.
It’s almost too much for minds to comprehend;
The fact He also calls to be His friend.
A love so wondrous; He allows man to be of it all a part.
Even grander, He decided to reside within their hearts.
Such a marvel to try to understand
But the wise offer their life to become all He has planned.

Jeremiah 31:3
The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

Sweet Comforts of Joy By Brenda Drake

#Check out my new devotional on Amazon God’s Whispers to the Heart. $2.99 Kindle $17.00 Paperback

There are so many times when my heart has been warmed by the touch of the Holy Spirit since I became a Christian.  The joys of Salvation are too numerous to count.  But here are some of the sweet comforts of joy that floods the hearts of those that belong to Jesus.

Sweet Comforts of Joy

Sweet comforts of joy flood the soul,
When the treasures of God unfold.
What are the treasures of a saved soul?
They are the sweet comfort of joy under God’s control.
Such as peace in the midst of a stormy time,
When the world’s ways trouble and boggle the mind.
The sure knowledge all is well within;
And that you are well-pleasing to the God that calls you friend.
The Word that you count on for wisdom supply;
It is like a river of refreshing-water that never goes dry.
God’s willing ear that hears every word you say;
And the sweet assurance and comfort after you pray.
The future that shines like diamonds on a crystal sea;
That beckons with hope and mystery.
The lights of love in your brother’s eye;
The sure hope and provision of God’s supply.
The thrills of the thought of Christ’ return;|The eternal gratitude of Salvation unearned;
And the sweet loving sound of forever’s eternal plan,
That the mind stretches to see and to understand.
Sweet comforts of joy for those who belong to God above,
All are reminders of the truth they are well loved.

1 Peter 1:8-9
Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

Silently Before Him By Brenda Drake

God is as close as a prayer; even closer.  We are immediately in His presence.  I love to sit silently at His feet with full knowledge He hears my innermost thoughts. I am very aware of the honor of such liberty.  His love invites me in at any part of the day; whether I am in a melancholy mood or exuberantly talkative.  He likes our company.

Silently Before Him

As I sit silently before my Lord, as I reverently look to Him;
His awesome majesty settles in.
The air smells sweeter and life becomes,
A precious gift that has come,
It is a privilege given to me;
I can in His presence be.
What an honor He bestows,
He looks favorably upon my soul.
What songs of praise I desire to sing,
To honor and give glory to Christ my King.
New words need to be created to express the love within;
For it is new every day; eternal, and never ends.
It is as astounding as forever – as I silently rest at His feet,
The love He showers down is inexpressibly sweet.
His smile upon me is like a refreshing drink of holiness,
When I come before Him I feel Heaven’s kiss.

Psalms 63:3
Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.

Dance Worth Your Soul’s Lover By Brenda Drake

The songs of Salvation are now a real part of my life.  My heart, mind, and spirit are in tune with my Lord, and I desire to move in step with the Holy Spirit that leads the way. When the world begins to jangle my spirit I know it is time to get back into the Word of God and to lift up the praises due to His name.

Dance with Your Soul’s Lover

Dance with your Soul’s Lover as you listen to His Word.
Rejoice in your exalted position, obey what you’ve heard.
Live life at its fullest, enjoy God’s sweet caress;
He that loves you watches out for your best.
Practice His presence, learn what pleases Him.
Walk in the Spirit as He leads and guides from within.
Take time to worship and sing songs of praise and you will see,
 His strength and His power you receive.
Prepare your heart for change and dedicate your life to serve;
Be also a soul-lover and teach what you have heard,|
Plant seeds of righteousness and seeds of peace too,
And seeds of goodness will grow up inside of you.
Dance like David danced before his King.
Allow the love of Jesus to cause your heart to sing.
Love will pick you up and carry you into eternal-life anew;
To be one forever with Jesus; the Word, that was planted deep in you.

Psalms 149:3
Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.

2 Samuel 6:14
And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.

Thank You Lord By Brenda Drake

Thank You Lord for my family and for good friends;
I would like to take this time to ask You to bless them
Thank You for Your provisions, You take good care of me;
I have much more Lord than I need.
I pray for the homeless and the ones without food this day,
Help us to be generous to help ease their pain.
Thank You for good health and the peace deep within;
Help me to remember the sick and the lonely and to pray for them.
I thank You for our Country, help her turn about her ways,
So continued peace can be acknowledged in our praise.
Thank You for the freedom we still have to worship without fear;
Help us to value this gift that is so dear
I thank You for the bountiful future You’ve promised in Your Word
Help us all to remember them with our trust undisturbed.
Thank You for Your love that died on a cross of shame,
So we could truly thankful remain.
All the praise and the glory I give to Thee;
Thank You Jesus, for this day we celebrate – our gift of thanks receive!

Ephesians 5:20
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in

the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

(KJV)