We spend time and money to make our outside beautiful, It is a never ending job that truely gets harder and harder to obtain as time marches on.  Jesus paid a great price to make us beautiful within.  The closer we get to Him the more we begin to reflect His beauty.  When the inside is beautiful, the outside is inhansed as well.

Inner Beauty

Beauty shines from within
The soul that has been fully cleansed.
Gone is the stain that was so deep,
The vessel was ruined; of little value to keep.
A saved soul has a wonderful glow to it
It shines up into heaven, for God moves through it.
Sweet, pure waters flow from this place,
With the wonderful, refreshing mercy; provided in grace.
An acceptable sacrifice, more precious than gold.
A beautiful, treasure, the Father holds.
Made after the image of Jesus … formed by God’s hand,
A lovely bride for His Son; as He always planned.
Beautiful, are the feet of them, that share the Good News with others.
They shine as a finely cut diamond; offered to their soul’s lover.
Many people strive for earthly beauty, that fades as time passes by.
However, the loveliness of the saved soul, is never to be denied
For the eyes shine with new hope, and the heart is glad.
The future is  bright … circumstances have lost the hold they had
The light within them beckons, the lost to “Come and see
What the Lord has done, and salvation receive”
Love causes hearts to smile; with songs of praise to Jesus the Christ,
A most beautiful and lovely sight; that causes Him  great delight.

Romans 10:15
How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace,
and bring glad tidings of good things!

When I first started walking on the path of Jesus I wondered how I could ever glorify Him, for I knew all my shortcomings and inabilities.  But the longer I follow Him I realize I could never measure up if it was left to my own effort.  There is a Way; Jesus.  He is the plain path.  It the provision of the cross and His strength, and ability working in us that assures us we will arrive right on time.

Plain Path

You have set me on the path and clearly show the way.
You provide food and drink so my strength will stay.
You have shod my feet and clothed me to withstand what lies ahead.
Your presence walks before me and tells me there is no need to dread.
Your Word is my passport; no one can bar my stand.
And when there are adversaries I have right to the appointed land.
Your name is all authority and where You send I go.
There is no need to worry or fear for You are in control.
As I walk the plain path many will watch how I walk,
They observe my actions and reactions and listen to the way I talk.
When darkness comes Your source of light shines;
So I am able to assist another to the plain path find.
Together we walk Lord to the destination planned for me;
Where I will enter into Your presence for eternity.
Like a sweet reunion of lovers that never again part;
The redeemed enters the Kingdom of the Father’s heart;
Joined; forever with the One that died to save our soul,
Joined to Jesus, as His bride to have and to hold.
Oh sweet goal that lies ahead for me,
With Your help I will be able to walk the plain path successfully.

Psalms 27:11
Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.

            I wonder what an idle-word is.  Are they the words we say off the top of our head?  Are they the mean, uncaring words we speak in anger?  Are they lies we speak, or are they insincere words of flattery?  Perhaps they are all the above.  I know I need to repent often.

There are all Kinds of Words

Words are everywhere; word kind and sincere,
Or words that are unfair and unpleasant to the ear.
Words can lift up, or words can tear down.
Some words can be counted on, they are true and sound.
Some words are misleading, and others a shame.
Some glorify God and others defile His good name.
Words give praise and thanks and also curse sounds too.
There are words of doubt and fear and some in faith, mountains will move.
There are whining words that murmur, and harsh, angry words that destroy.
There are words that cause heaviness and some spread certain joy.
Words like sweet waters, or utterances salty that sting.
Some promote evil, and others pleasure the King.
What are your words? Are they easy to recognize as good and true?
Or is your expressions seen as a dishonor to both God and you?

Matthew 12:36-37
But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.  For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

  In one of my tipsy-turvy times trying to figure out things on my own; I was not even able pray because of the churning in my spirit.  The Lord revealed how really simple it is to get the peace back that I once enjoyed in His presence.  All it really takes is a humble heart that fully admits its inability to go it alone, and that truly repents of its self-assured ways.  We are now able to trust the truth of the Word, and can use the name of Jesus in our prayer requests.  Even if we still do not have all the answers we can rest in His ability and will for our life.

Calm Your Troubled Sea

Within you it is not calm or at peace,
A storm rages, there is a troubled sea,
Your thoughts are uncertain; blowing with the wind,
Some wrong emotions are bottled up within.
Tossed to one side, then to another,
Rocking in a vessel but seeking cover,
But it is not a pleasant journey at all,
If you attempt to stand you stumble and fall.
This is not a word of rebuke as you might suppose,
It is a word to assure you, all things God knows.
What can be done about this trouble within?
Admit your attitude is indeed sin.
Admit your faith needs working on,
And that you are weak not all that strong.
As for the troubled waters about you;
Something can be done for that too.
Jesus’ love provided your redemption.
He broke the chains and bondage of sin,
He deposited new authority to your new man.
He offers His name to respectfully make your demands.
In Jesus name, declare to the raging water, peace be still;
Perfectly fitting in the Father’s will.
The enemy will surely torment the heart that allows him to.
This need not be, heed this word delivered to you.

John 16:23
Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

          God loves us so much He died to save our soul and He equips us to reach out and lead another to the cross of Christ.   Every person has opportunity to draw another to the truth that set them free; by our testimony declaring the works of God in our life.  Every person has need of salvation; some know they have a need of help, and others may feel they have no need of help in any way.

Cry of the Weak

Pick up the pieces, look around,
Make sure the lost are found.
Search in places you would hardly believe,
To find precious jewels that belongs to me.
In dark corners under the cover of sin;
They are not recognizable in the shape they are in.
If you are not careful you may pass them by;
So weak is the sound of their cries.
The one who gathers souls for me must have a listening ear,
They the frail sound will hear.
Come, those who are willing to do as I ask;
That seeks to bring the backslidden back.
Pray your declarations give them hope.
And that your words of wisdom will help them cope.
Be kind to the stranger and truly listen when they speak,
And you will be well armed and able to help the weak.

Mark 16:15
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Psalms 61:2
From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed:
lead me to the rock that is higher than

  There are so many that are poor and needy; not only monetarily, but spiritually.  I have been both at one time or another.  I am thankful for the prayers of others in my behalf.

Prayer for the Poor and Needy

Father I pray,
For the poor and needy ones today.
For those who are so sad
Those who have lost most everything they had.
For those who feel life has let them down,
And pain and misery is all they have found
I pray that the greatest treasure they find
The One who will give them peace of mind.
Pour into them a rich, full expectation of good,
So the deep knowledge of their worth is understood.
Fan the flames of hope within to add to their stature faith,
Give them joy unspeakable…melt away all  hate.
Let their lips sing songs of praise to lift oppression.
Cause the salvation story to be their confession.
Add to their life new abundance so they can give,
To help another in triumph to live.
Fill their prayer time with requests for the poor and needy too,
So even more will find their way to You.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-17
Pray without ceasing.

            I always taught my children you cannot always be friends with everyone but you can be friendly to everyone.  I believe we may not always be treated kindly but we can strive to treat everyone we meet kindly.  I felt firsthand the kindness of God in His mercy and in His offer of grace. When I dwell in Him I am more able to successfully love my neighbor and treat them as He showed to me.

The Great Value of Kindness

Kindness expressed is like a warm blanket on a cold day.
It gives comfort and takes the chill of life away.
A great gift is given when it is a kind act;
It is worth more than a material gift in fact.
Now if you are hurting and sad within,
Would you desire a dollar or the kind presence of a friend?
A willing ear and a loving touch give more comfort to the soul,
The dollar can be so hard and cold.
When sick, would you draw comfort from your wealth?
Do you know anyone that would not trade money for their health?
The anxious, weary worrier finds comfort by an encouraging word.
To offer them anything else is absurd.
More appreciated is a helping hand; even the small gift of a smile,
With a note of encouragement, or thanks once and in a while.
Some flowers, a cake, or a hug, now and then,
All are healing acts of kindness you can give to foe or friend.
Offer sweet praise, a prayer, and words of concern,
Give all with no thought of repayment returned.
To be recalled as beautiful or as wise,
Is second to being remembered as kind.
A kind man or woman has great gain,
No one can truthfully dishonor their name.

Luke 6:35
But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

Be Encouraged By the Word

Downcast eyes?   Heart heavy or sad?
Are your thoughts unhappy?  Have you lost the joy you had?
Is hope is hiding; playing games with your mind?
You need to concentrate on God’s Word and with it realign.
Your future dreams have become lost in the fog of today;
Like on the wings of the wind they have flown away.
What sort of God is it  you serve?
Do you not believe His Word?
Pick up your cross and follow after God’s Son.
Know His will in your life will be done.
Lift up your eyes in confidence …see the small cloud in the sky,
That shows God’s answer is close by.
Renew your faith…read God’s Word.
Remember the encouraging words that you have heard.
Your future is much brighter than you can see today.
It is much more fruitful in every way.
Walk in God’s steps… thank Him for what He’s already done;
And thank Him with confidence at the good that is yet to come.

Psalms 37:31
The law of his God is in his heart;
none of his steps shall slide.

1 King 18:44
And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man’s hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not.

           I am much more generous than I used to be, but I am a long way from being as charitable as I should be.  I surprise myself at the new giving, open-handed me.  And I am equally astonished and appalled at the revelations at the display of the selfish, tight-fisted old nature raising its ugly head in me again.  With the Holy Spirit’s help I will share as God desires.

The Generous Life

A generous life that truly wants to share
Will give away what the heart would hold unto as a spare.
To keep in case you may one day need it down the line,
Is not the way of the heart God has in mind.
Although one day you may need it; another needs it today.
It is not a good work if you ignore the truth relayed.
If a hand is reaching; asking for assistance to help,
When you turn away it is an act that shouts.
Generous hearts love monetarily  and in good deeds.
A generous giving spirit plants kingdom seeds.
Those that desire to follow in the footsteps of Christ,
Generously offers service with their life.
Do you see a necessity of friend or foe?
Or, do you pretend not to see; failing to generous seeds sow?
Is sin lurking in the disguise of self?
To be a loving example you must cast selfishness out.
Know whenever you give to another’s need,
You have planted good kingdom seeds.
You will reap what you have sown.
This is truth relayed so the right, generous way is shown.

2 Corinthians 9:6-7
But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. ⁷ Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

There is No Distance to Love’s Ability