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Camp Close to God By Brenda Drake

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            We live in a world where there are dangers ever ready to destroy our sweet fellowship with the Master.  When we draw close to the Word and stand on its promises, the light of Jesus’ presence is as close as our breath.  He says He will not leave us or forsake us.  I think we are wise to camp as close as we can to God; our help in times of trouble.

Camp Close to God

Camp close to God in the wilderness of sin,
Do not wander away from Him.
When He says it’s time to move on,
His Word you can and must act upon.
He is your provider in every way,
So close to Him you must stay.
He is the bread that feeds you without and within,
All your provision comes from Him.
He clothes you with attire from above.
In His covering provided by love.
Your God has the plan perfect so do not fear;
Just keep your heart free from turmoil so you are able to hear.
When you camp close to Jesus you walk in the light.
In you and through you He shines bright.
The air smells sweeter by His camp-fire;
He gives songs of praise and holy desire.
So come closer and closer each day,
One day a new journey begins when Hw takes you away.

John 15:4-5
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Motivated by Love By Brenda Drake

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Because Jesus loved us enough to help us in our greatest need, we are equipped with the ability to express sacrificial love to assist others.  When we die to our selfish nature and allow Jesus to rule within us we find we are living life motivated by His love.  It feels so good and satisfying to touch another’s life in the name of Jesus.

Motivated by Love

Obligation motivates – guilt does too
But the best motivation for good is love in you
When you see a need in another’s life
And you have ability to make their burden light,
If you grudgingly do it with a halting step,
The good deed may be appreciated but its motivation isn’t the best
Love rushes in to help without much thought at times;
You are reaching to help before the solution comes to mind.
Love is like the perfume of the rose,
It is like deep thought within the word of prose.
Love’s beauty is recognized right away.
Healing comes when it is conveyed.
A listening ear, a silent prayer,
A simple card or a loving word shared.
When motivated by love the world’s problems still exist,
But the harsh reality is sweetened by motivation such as this.

Ephesians 5:2
And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

Peace Be Still By Brenda Drake

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            Our attitude in times of trouble is half the battle.  To keep a decent outlook we need to be at peace within. When we concentrate on Jesus the Prince of peace and follow close the teaching of the Word of God we will find our life is filled with less drama. It takes effort to set our mind on the things positive and to consistently turn away from those things that cause us turmoil and stress.

Peace Be Still

To the raging sea that threatens the peace within,
Speak like Jesus did, follow after Him.
Peace be still He said,
And the storm ceased the winds and rain fled.
Speak peace also to the torrent of angry words,
To stop the unwholesome evil utterings you have heard.
Speak into your life words good and true,
They will instill God’s peace inside of you.
Floods of lies confuse heart and soul,
Show by your authority who is in control.
Jesus will your battles fight,
When in the Word you delight;
Light invades darkness; depression evaporates in the wind.
The light of truth ushers in the joys of Salvation,
Peace sweet settles like a warm blanket on a cold day.
It comes to visit and when it is invited to stay,
The clouds of tomorrow and the darkness of the times,
Cease to be fearful threats to those who keep God in mind.

Mark 4:39
And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

Foolhardy Expectations By Brenda Drake

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  I believe we can pray believing we receive for our loving God hears and answers prayer, but our desires and our heart must be aligned with God’s will for us.  My children asked for things that were not good for them, I did not answer in the way they desired but it was always for their best.  If they were disobedient and rebellious it was foolhardy for them to even ask.

Foolhardy Expectations

Foolhardy expectations are an unlikely goal to reach,
They can be accented even more by unprofitable speech.
Like bad seeds planted in unimproved soil,
Has little or no profit to show from their toil.
Life has many lessons that are learned by mistakes made.
They are at times very hard lessons with results grave.
The wise heed the Word of God and learn from the mistakes of others.
They if diligent will valuable truth discover.
You cannot steal to get ahead; greed sets you back,
The life that is generous and loving will get you on track.
The one who is hateful and negative things speak and devour,
Will reap a life of bitterness with a future sour.
The one who cheats and takes from others will find,
They are found wanting and will not God’s favor find.
The one who walks and talks like Jesus and has His love within,
Will receive plenty for they are well-blessed by Him.
If you live like the devil but expect heaven as your goal,
It is a fool-hardy expectation to even speak it to be so.

James 4:17
Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

Galatians 6:7-9
 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

The Legacy By Brenda Drake

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I would love to leave a large inheritance to my loved ones. With Jesus I will leave a legacy of honor and respect.  I pray those I love will take heed to the wisdom I have placed before them.  The truth of and thd love of Jesus is the best gift I am able to give them,

The Legacy

The rich and the poor man the same;
Leave behind a good or a bad name.
The world does not place value on this as much,
As the monetary amount added up.
A good name may not bring worldly fame it is true,
But a good name has even a greater value.
It stands for good, honorable in its ways.
The man with a good name is praised,T
Not by the world of sin and shame,
But by others who value and desire a good name.
There is a name above every other name,
The name is Jesus; wonderful to proclaim.
He is the One that can change the legacy we leave behind.
He gives new life, a new name, new heart and new mind,
Jesus is the goal to reach and the prize to win,
He is the best gift to present to your family and friends.
Your love, your words, and your faith,
Is worth more than the gold the world craves.
The legacy you leave behind you also bring,
To God as a holy offering;
An offering that does not rot, rust or fade,
For it is a forever gift that will forever stay.
Rich or poor it matters not for you see,
When your name is in the Book of Life, you are His legacy.

Psalms 33:12
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord;
and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

Proverbs 22:1-2
A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. The rich and poor meet together: the Lord is the maker of them all.

Hidden Gifts of Beauty By Brenda Drake

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            I wonder how many gifts of love pass us by unseen.  The truth of God’s love and Jesus’ provision is the greatest display of love. It indeed is unrecognized by many lost souls.  Lord, help us clearly testify of the love you extended to us to help others see the beauty of salvation.

Hidden Gifts of Beauty  

Camouflaged are some beautiful things;
You must be prepared or they pass by unseen.
Love many times is as close as a breath away.
It can and is expressed and shown in multitudes of ways.
Words gentle, motives pure, uplifting advice, with touch kind;
Has beauty with invisible treasures to find.
The Word of faith, with a light touch;
Has evidence of a precious offering of love.
Many things of value are taken for granted; even despised;
Such as the rays of the sun or the gleam in another’s eye.
Man does not always appreciate the gifts given them,
Time is wasted; it marches on never to return again.
People and situations change all of the time;
With opportunity to even more treasures find.
Take time to feel the heartbeat and dream of another hear,
For in a moment of time they may out of your life disappear.
God reveals camouflaged-beauty in an unlikely place;
At the cross when the true gospel is embraced.
Jesus’ love is greater and more powerful than you know.
He saw the great need in your lost soul.
He came to earth and died so you could be set free;
He saw the beauty that one day would be,
Without Him no value within is recognized,
But with Him precious and beautiful you are in the Father’s eyes.

Philippians 4:8-9
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.  Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Song of Songs 4:7
Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee.

Dear Reader By Brenda Drake

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I wrote this poem many years ago; it is certainly just as relevant today.

Dear Reader

Dear Reader of this letter in rhyme,
I write this message but it is not mine.
As the world’s turmoil will increase;
Seek refuge in the Prince of Peace.
If you feel all is hopeless and feel lost
Come and seek forgiveness at the cross;
As you experience the stress of the times ahead,
Place your hope in Jesus and what the Word has said.
When hatred’s heavy hand touches your life,
Ask and you will receive protection from Christ.
When the time has come for a choice,
Do not allow defeat – lift up your voice.
Lift up the name of Jesus and you will see.
That He indeed will also stand up and fight for thee.
When the times are hard, lean into God’s love and care;
Read the Word and know He is of all things aware.
As you trust watch and wait – He will come through,
For He cannot lie; His Word is truth.
I will end this rhyme with one more thought to write;
Watch and be ready and you will see that I am right.
Jesus will appear in the clouds and turmoil and sin
Will be overcome by His rule… on this word you can depend!

Psalms 91:1-4
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler

As Close as a Prayer By Brenda Drake

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        I have stayed awake all hours of the night trying to figure out how to get out of a predicament I was in.  I would start the new day just as lost on what to do as the night before.  I am learning to bring my problems to God and allow Him to take care of them.  I still may not know what to do, but I know the One that does.

As Close as a Prayer

The answer is right before your eyes.
It becomes clear to the wise.
Your answer is as close as a prayer;
State your needs and leave them there.
What is it that troubles your heart within?
Lay them down and do not pick them up again.
Does anger poke you with its provoking prod?
When it does, turn again to God.
Does fear grip you in its terrible grasp?
Rebuke its hold and turn from it your back.
Know the answer is before your eyes;
And He your battle fights.
Run to Jesus, the answer to the one wise.
He has the ability and He is your supply.
The answer is the One in heaven and who also lives within.
Do not hesitate to bring all inquiries to Him.

Acts 6:4
But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

Philippians 4:6-7
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Waters of Revival By Brenda Drake

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            How we desire for revival.  True revival flows from heart to heart, soul to soul.  Just like a river that floods the land.  Just like a fire that spreads, consuming everything in its midst.  Jesus loves us and He died so all could be saved.  It is our job to share the Good News with the lost. Oh how I desire to be a part of the greatest revival before Jesus returns for His bride.

Waters of Revival

Floodgates open and the water runs free;
Washing over the masses the strength they need.
Waters of kindness, wrapped in respect,
Waves of love and peace to bless.
There is no stopping the water’s flow,
It rushes onward from soul to soul.
You are invited to be a part of the plan,
To be as a stream that will flood the land.
An offering that pours life, power, and increase to the lost;
A life that points, directs, and leads to the cross.
Wonderful profit comes in answer to prayer requests.
Wonderful peace comes: many will be blessed.
Your timing and My timing are not quite the same.
But success you can count on in Jesus’ name.
So mark your days with a watchful eye,
And count on and count the way God supplies,
Do not worry but indeed the opposite do,
And the answers to your prayers will come to you.
Love others and love God and love the task ahead,
Mark in your heart as you believe you receive all God has said.

Isaiah 57:15
For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

By Faith I Pray By Brenda Drake

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What we think prayer is; is different than what God considers our prayer. There are times when I am so frustrated, angry, and confused that when I bow my head I do not even have words to pray.  In these trying times I have experience all of the emotions I have listed almost at the same time.  All I truly know is that our God cares.  He is trustworthy, and He sees and understands what we are feeling and hears even the silent words that weep and scream in our hearts.

By Faith I Pray

By faith I pray;
I know You hear what I say.
By faith I in Your strength stand,
As You chase the enemy from my land.
I proclaim by faith victory,
As I fulfill my destiny.
Way down deep inside,
I know God’s Word abides.
As I walk the paths of life
I know I’m led by Jesus Christ.
By His stripes I am healed…by faith I see,
That He has already done His work for me.
His Word is sure …His promises true,
In assurance ahead I will move.
Under the blood I am pure and white;
By faith I see I am His delight.
Under His watchful, jealous eye,
My faith is restored and daily supplied.
He that loved me loves me still.
By faith I will His purpose fulfill
I rejoice to seek His face each day.
And I wholeheartedly His instructions obey;
But if I fail, falter, or fall,
I will in faith shout out a repenting call.
I know He forgives me and again
Draws me to continue to have faith in Him.

Psalms 112:7
He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.