Determination and

1 Peter 5: 9-10
Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.  But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

            It is so easy to feel sorry for ourselves when things are not going in the favored way we have planned.  We tend to think we are suffering much more than others, and believe things are unfair; thus accomplishing the foundation for bitterness to take root and grow.  This poem has good advice, but truly we cannot do it without the help of our loving Savior.

Reach In and Pull Out Inner Determination

Reach in and pull out steadfast determination to endure and stand fast.
Your God’s strength and power is available to all that ask.
The heart resolved and the mind set with a determined stand;
When firmly leaning on the Word of God; God takes hold of your hand.
The constant, faithful, and devoted steps, that are resolved to walk God’s ways,
Will endure each and every trial and trouble, as they sing God’s praise.
They remain fixed and unmovable and fully settled within;
A faithful follower of their Lord and friend.
So if and when you find you are feeling weak; remember the One who is strong.
Trust every worry and care to the One you can depend upon.
You have the ability to withstand and to even flourish in your toil.
For the Lord pours in and over you His healing, strengthening oil.
The oil of joy is poured out in abundant flow;
The reward to the redeemed, trusting soul.

Revelation 3:11
Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

Prayer
Father, forgive me when I allow disappointments, failures, and fears, and jealousy in my life.  I am determined with Your help to reject and renounce sadness, bitterness and depression and to in faith watch for the good You have planned for my life and keep goin forward.

Luke 23:9
Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing.

           I have never been good at holding back my words; especially when I know I am right.  Jesus was perfectly right in every way and He kept silent.  He is the Word of God who spoke His love from the cross.  We are encouraged to speak the Word each day; with God’s help I will never be silent.

The Word Was Silent

Jesus spoke not a word as His accusers railed.
He was beaten and bruised and to a rugged cross nailed.
In His silence, God’s Word stood still.
Standing in the gap to do the Father’s will.
The Word was silent; silenced by man,
Crucified, by His creation’s hands.
The celebration of evil was short lived,
As they marveled at their victory in all they did.
But the silence was broken; the Word burst again to life.
Never to be held down in darkness for He is also Light.
Born again believers who have accepted the truth
Now has the joyful possession of the Living Word.
In the name of Jesus make your requests;
Read, study the Word and when it inside rests,
You will find it is not silent anymore.
The wise child speaks the Word of the Lord.
It is powerful, sharp, precise in every way,
Carefully measure, each word you think, and especially what you say.
Jesus was silent only when He needed to be,
But truly when you the truth see,
In His silence He carried forth the Father’s plan.
God provision spoke loud and clear throughout the land.

Prayer
Thank You Jesus for being my example in every way.  Teach me to carefully measure my words to glorify You.  Fill me up with the Word of God, open my heart and mind to be overflowing with wisdom from above so I am able to successfully share theGood News with others.

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Philllipians 4:8
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.

           We were reminded and encouraged in Church today to remember our first love for our Lord and Savior. We can get troubled with all the cares of the world, and still go to church, pray, and put on quite a good show, while not living in a way that displays and expresses our thanksgiving and gratitude for all that our Lord has done and is doing in our lives.  When we count our blessings our life reaches and draws the lost.

Things to Think About

Think about a song you like to sing;
To show and give praise and glory to your risen King.
Think about the joy you bring to His face,
As His sweet bride, lifts to receive His embrace.
Think about the thrill that settles deep within,
With the assurance and peace that only comes from Him.
Think about tomorrow through eyes of faith that see.
He is there patiently waiting for thee.
Think about the love of the Father that sent His Son,
To suffer and die so you would become one.
Think about the love of the Savior that died to make you whole,
That rejoices over you and in you overflows.
Think about the Sweet Spirit that guided the pen.
To testify and record His love and draws and leads another to Him.
Think about the Living Word that called you from the cross
And calls out on every side to the lost.
Think on good things; as you can see,
The list never ends when you believe to receive.
Come, know the One who asks this of you,
Never tires in His toil; as He thinks about you too!

Prayer
Lord forgive me when I get my mind all tied up with the world.  Keep my heart and mind on You, Your Word, and Your work upon this earth.

I Follow Hard After You

There are countless distractions on every side;
Some brazenly beckon, and some cunningly pull aside.
But my heart, mind, and soul is set,
To follow hard after You, to even nearer get.
As I learn what pleases and what You hate to see,
I seek to draw closer to what I need to be.
I follow hard after righteousness and peace.
I desire for wisdom within to increase.
Your holy strength and presence I rely on.
Your Holy Word of Truth I stand upon.
There is no place I would rather be.
Because of Your watch-care over me;
I am very sure I’ll find my way,
Through every evil, harmful thing, that could lead astray.
It is exciting, as I struggle against flesh,
Self is crucified. Your strength has overpowered it.
Oh, sweet victories, delights, and desire,
When, God’s presence touches with Holy fire.
As I seek His kingdom and leave the world’s ways behind,
I find, as I have followed hard after Him…  He has always had me in mind.

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.

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Psalms 55:22
Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Have you experienced times when you do not feel your walk, your faith, or your feelings are steady and strong?  When life’s circumstances sweep you off your feet?  I have and it is always because I have taken my eyes off the promises of the Word of God, and tried to figure things out by my own understanding and strength.  God is so good, He reminds us He is not blown away by the winds of life.  He is our Rock.

Blown by the Wind

A wisp of paper blows in the wind,
It blows up high then it falls low again.
It is tossed over then another way it blows.
Whatever the wind demands- that is the way it goes.
This is like those that are controlled by worldly worry and care;
One day they are flying high, and then they say, “All is unfair!”
They may seem happy, but it does not take long
To see they play at living their life strong.
Their love is hot or then it is cold,
Becomes, stale, lukewarm and old.
Their eyes become clouded by circumstances on hand.
Blindly walking alone for they let go of God’s hand.
Their way is dark and dismal; they forget God is in control.
They have allowed the devil to dictate the way their feelings blow.
Be instead a rock that will not move in the wind.
Stabilize your life by allowing God’s Word to rule within again.

James 1:6
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

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Matthew 5:
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

            Do you sometimes feel like a big Band-Aid in a troubled, hurting world?  Or perhaps it is more like an umpire?  Maybe it is because you are hard at work being a peacemaker.  I say hard work, because it is.  We need to die to self, to help keep peace in our family, with our friends and even in our Church relationships.   Jesus is our example to follow; for He is after all the Prince of Peace.

The Peacemaker

Who are the peacemakers upon the earth?
What do they look like?  What are their works?
There are many that believe,
That you must compromise to promote peace.
But the peacemaker that glorifies Christ,
Will walk and talk Christ-like.
Jesus called sinners, sinners, and sin, sin.
But He offered His life, to bring new life and peace to them.
The peacemaker is the one that pardons foe and friend;
That will pray for the one that offends.
The peacemaker will not carry unprofitable words to another’s ear,
For their words, must cause anger’s fires to disappear.
Sometimes those that bestow peace remain undetected.
But like Jesus, as they die to self, they are by new life resurrected.
Who is the peacemaker?  The one that prefers another as best,
That will even when wronged choose to forgive.
Those that take extra time to learn to live God’s way,
Submits to God’s Word and elects to speak truth and words of praise.
The peacemaker may suffer ridicule, for some consider them weak.
But one day, it will be revealed, they stand in God’s strength.
He will draw His beautiful bride to His side to forever stand,
In the peaceful place, with the Prince of Peace; just as He always planned.

Prayer
Thank You Lord for the sweet peace poured in and through my life. Because of Your work in my behalf, I am able to rest in in the love and provisions of Your care even in troubled times.  Help me be a source of peace and harmony to those in need of Your loving touch.

          I have just recently found this poems message to be very true.  We can pray, cry, and think about situations and it is not felt by the one that needs a personal touch from us.  I am sorry to say I sometimes fall short on the action part.  Sending flowers, a card or a personal phone call along with the prayers, tears and thoughts are much better.

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Louder than what you say is what you do.
To profess without works is untruth.
To say “I love you neighbor;” but walk away in their need,
Is to say “I want a harvest without planting a seed.”
To say you care for the lonely, the sad, and the afraid,
Without cheering them is like offering a cake unbaked.
To declare you will pray and then you forget;
Is like saying you will help wash without getting wet
If you say, “I will help you,” “ I will do this or that,”
But instead, you do not, what good is in the act?
Words kind and generous are never to be laid aside.
Words that uplift always remain alive.
Words that truly love will water what is sown.
Words need action, they cannot stand alone.
Take time to do the generous thing in mind.
Make sure you do what you in word have defined.
Take time to love in word and in actions as well;
A great work is accomplished that glory and honor will tell.
Jesus did what He said, and He said what He did.
You too must do the same, for you are the body and He is the head.
Words speak loud, but not as loud as the deed done.
This is truth spoken from the Spirit of Word, God’s Son.

James 3:13
Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

Colossians 3:17
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Prayer
Forgive me Lord when my words are empty because of my actions.

My soul follows hard after you Lord.

On the Wings of Forever

On the wings of forever I will fly,
I yearn for you…my soul sighs.
I so desire to see Your face,
And to feel the wonder of Your embrace.
I remember the many times You’ve filled me up,
But, I still lift again my already filled cup.
Fill me up to overflow,
With Your goodness deep down in my soul.
I feel deep inside,
That in this world in me You are alive.
Nothing matters but Your sweet grace.
Everything about You I embrace.
Forever shines like diamonds in my eyes.
I am to be forever with Jesus; as His bride.
Love and joy fills my days,
With thanksgiving, worship and praise.

Ps 63:7-8
Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.  My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.

Romans 12:1
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

              This poem was very special to me.  Before Jesus I was a self-centered kind of person.  I never was unkind or unhelpful but I still measured all my service through my desires, to my benefit if at all possible.  The Lord, in one of our special moments, called me “Flower”.  I love flowers so I thought it was a real nice nick-name.  Now I understand the deeper meaning of His desire for me; we are all His flowers, growing in the kingdom of God for His glory.

If a Flower Could Fly

If a flower could fly it would probably go,
Where is would be appreciated – close to the nose.
It would share its beauty with those in need,
And it wouldn’t be stingy with its seeds.
If there was someone sick they would be moved,
To help lift their spirits, so they would fly there too.
Their beauty would be easily recognized,
And would draw attention to lift up the eyes.
Now, this seems to be a silly story I tell you this day.
What hidden meaning is tucked away?
The one I call the flower is in service to the King,
Always willing, to offer itself as an offering.
They will share the sweet aroma of Christ,
To enrich another, with the truth that delights.
Yes, my flowers will indeed fly to assist.
Their prayers will not an opportunity miss.
Self-serving, does not occupy their time,
For they are fully committed; with the Spirit aligned.
If flowers could fly they would go to pure waters again and again;
To be refreshed, so their vibrant colors would remain.
So come often, to partake of the Living Water, and you will see,
That you are the flower I send that will fly for me.

Prayer
Father I so desire to cause pleasure to you, my prayer is to smell like Jesus.  Help me to be as the flower He sends to cheer another soul.

Luke 17:
And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.

         Sometimes we do not know how much faith we have until it is needed.  I have been surprised many times how its presence is revealed in times of trial or trouble.  The Bible says faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.  Jesus, is the Word of God, He is the strength within me.

 Faith Speaks

Faith speaks to the mountain in the way,
And keeps walking forward in the day.
Faith holds on tight and will not of right things let go.
The world attempts to hinder and to slow,
But faith sets the face,
To all God’s promises embrace.
Faith not only speaks, it performs in deeds;
Faith reaches out and assists in another’s need.
Do you have faith, you may ask,
Are you walking onward, refusing to look back?
Do you listen to the Spirit within?
And do you steadfastly follow after Him?
When you find you have strayed what do you do?
Do you run and hide from the One that watches over you?
Or, do you immediately run,
Back into the waiting arms of God’s Son?
Faith watches, listens, and heeds God’s Word.
Faith reaches and teaches others, all the good news when heard.
Faith refuses to continue to worry for faith knows,
It is God who loves them, and He is in full control.
Do you have faith that is pleasing to God above?
Do you practice it faithfully, as you walk on in love?
What do you need to do more?
Place and allow every days progress in this hand of the Lord.
Every hope and dream, every trouble and trial,
By faith face with Him and you will feel His approving smile.

Prayer
You are my faith, all my faith rests in You.