Which hope we have...
as an anchor of the soul,
both sure and steadfast... (Hebrews 6:19)
The storms of life prevail against me...
all around me the fearful breakers roar
threatening to engulf and capsize me...
they swirl and rise all around me,
attempting to make me drift
into the Point Of Disenchantment.
The winds of change assail me,
seeking to throw me off course,
even run me aground
on the rocks of Shallow Living.
The currents try to pull me
into the Strait of Ambition
which empties into the Bog of Faithlessness.
But this I know full well in my soul...
Jesus, You are my chart and my compass...
take hold of my helm, keep me on an even keel,
O Captain of my salvation (Hebrews 2:10)...
Anchor me in Your unfailing love...
where I place all my hope.
You who set every star in its place...
You tend to my every need.
You are my strength, and my delight.
You alone, Christ, are my clear passage.
My port of call is Your throne.
You pilot my vessel...
By Your power,
You still the wild and roaring sea storms.
(Job 26:12)
You arise, and rebuke the wind.
You say “Peace, be still”
The wind ceases and there is great peace...
(Mark 4:39) ...
even a peace which passes all understanding
(Philippians 4:7)
There is no place Your sovereign hand cannot reach.
You are my comfort. You are my shelter.
This only lengthens the cable of my faith.
Your word makes the anchor hold.
I have Your oath and Your promise
that You will make all grace abound toward me
(2 Corinthians 9:8)
Your promises are sure, Your Word never fails,
Your character is trustworthy... completely dependable...
the hope I have in Your love anchors me.
I take hold of this hope with both hands,
this unbreakable spiritual lifeline...
I am not moved (Psalm 55:22, Colossians 1:23)
I am securely fastened to You, Christ
Guide me, until at last, I'm safe in Your harbor.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
God of my Comfort
My joy has flown away,
grief has settled on me.
My heart is sick.
When I would comfort myself against sorrow,
my heart is faint in me. (Jeremiah 8:18)
People have heard me groaning,
but there is no one to comfort me...
(Lamentations 1:21)
[... not even one to assuage my sadness,
nor lessen my anguish]
If only my grief could be weighed
and my devastation placed with it on a scale. (Job 6:2)
My eyes grow weary looking for what You have promised,
I ask, “When will You comfort me?” (Psalm 119:82)
LORD, how long will you continually forget me?
How long will You hide Your face from me? (Psalm 13:1)
Turn, LORD! Rescue me;
save me because of Your faithful love. (Psalm 6:4)
May your faithful love comfort me,
as You promised Your servant (Psalm 119:76)
I am weary from grief,
strengthen me through Your word. (Psalm 119:28)
For whatever was written before...
was written for my instruction,
so that through my endurance
and through the comfort of the Scriptures
I may have hope. (Romans 15:4)
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort…
(2 Corinthians 1:3)
This is my comfort in my affliction:
Your promise has given me life (Psalm 119:50)
You will increase my honor
and comfort me once again. (Psalm 71:21)
Even when I go through the darkest valley,
I fear no danger, for You are with me,
[God of my Comfort], your rod and staff --
they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4)
He comforts me in all my affliction,
so that I may be able to comfort those
who are in any kind of affliction,
through the comfort I myself receive from God.
(2 Corinthians 1:4)
If then there is any encouragement in Christ,
if any consolation of love,
if any fellowship with the Spirit,
if any affection and mercy,
fulfill my joy by thinking the same way,
having the same love,
sharing the same feelings,
focusing on one goal. (Philippians 2:1-2)
May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself,
and God our Father, who has loved me,
and has given me everlasting consolation
and good hope through grace,
comfort your hearts and strengthen you
in every good word and work.
( 2Thessalonians 2:16-17)
grief has settled on me.
My heart is sick.
When I would comfort myself against sorrow,
my heart is faint in me. (Jeremiah 8:18)
People have heard me groaning,
but there is no one to comfort me...
(Lamentations 1:21)
[... not even one to assuage my sadness,
nor lessen my anguish]
If only my grief could be weighed
and my devastation placed with it on a scale. (Job 6:2)
My eyes grow weary looking for what You have promised,
I ask, “When will You comfort me?” (Psalm 119:82)
LORD, how long will you continually forget me?
How long will You hide Your face from me? (Psalm 13:1)
Turn, LORD! Rescue me;
save me because of Your faithful love. (Psalm 6:4)
May your faithful love comfort me,
as You promised Your servant (Psalm 119:76)
I am weary from grief,
strengthen me through Your word. (Psalm 119:28)
For whatever was written before...
was written for my instruction,
so that through my endurance
and through the comfort of the Scriptures
I may have hope. (Romans 15:4)
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort…
(2 Corinthians 1:3)
This is my comfort in my affliction:
Your promise has given me life (Psalm 119:50)
You will increase my honor
and comfort me once again. (Psalm 71:21)
Even when I go through the darkest valley,
I fear no danger, for You are with me,
[God of my Comfort], your rod and staff --
they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4)
He comforts me in all my affliction,
so that I may be able to comfort those
who are in any kind of affliction,
through the comfort I myself receive from God.
(2 Corinthians 1:4)
If then there is any encouragement in Christ,
if any consolation of love,
if any fellowship with the Spirit,
if any affection and mercy,
fulfill my joy by thinking the same way,
having the same love,
sharing the same feelings,
focusing on one goal. (Philippians 2:1-2)
May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself,
and God our Father, who has loved me,
and has given me everlasting consolation
and good hope through grace,
comfort your hearts and strengthen you
in every good word and work.
( 2Thessalonians 2:16-17)
Longings
My heart is restless from trembling, O God,
my soul is homesick and my eyes fail me... (Deuteronomy 28:65)
Lord, my longings are sitting in plain sight,
my groans are an old story to You... (Psalm 38:9)
I'm homesick... longing for Your salvation;
I'm waiting for Your word of hope... (Psalm 119:81)
My heart bursts with longing for You.
Everything in me cries out for You.
Softly and tenderly I wait for You...
Only You, Lord, satisfy the longing soul,
and fill the hungry soul with goodness... (Psalm 107:9)
Through the night my souls longs for you.
Deep from within me my spirit reaches out to You.
Lord, You hear the importunate prayers,
You see the tear-filled imploring,
You feel the rhythm of my pleadings...
the stirrings of desire...
Longing for You is the sweetest sorrow...
My spirit is parched without You.
I am out of breath thirsty for You...
Drench me again, LORD GOD,
in Your river of mercy,
where the streams of abundance flow...
Drown my self-pity...
for it holds no value in Your economy.
Every fiber of my being bristles with excitement
at being in Your presence...
like a magnet You sway me to Yourself,
the pulse of Your Spirit draws me...
pulling me, all of me, closer to Yourself...
You refresh me, O GOD, with Yourself...
and it is enough to satisfy my every longing.
my soul is homesick and my eyes fail me... (Deuteronomy 28:65)
Lord, my longings are sitting in plain sight,
my groans are an old story to You... (Psalm 38:9)
I'm homesick... longing for Your salvation;
I'm waiting for Your word of hope... (Psalm 119:81)
My heart bursts with longing for You.
Everything in me cries out for You.
Softly and tenderly I wait for You...
Only You, Lord, satisfy the longing soul,
and fill the hungry soul with goodness... (Psalm 107:9)
Through the night my souls longs for you.
Deep from within me my spirit reaches out to You.
Lord, You hear the importunate prayers,
You see the tear-filled imploring,
You feel the rhythm of my pleadings...
the stirrings of desire...
Longing for You is the sweetest sorrow...
My spirit is parched without You.
I am out of breath thirsty for You...
Drench me again, LORD GOD,
in Your river of mercy,
where the streams of abundance flow...
Drown my self-pity...
for it holds no value in Your economy.
Every fiber of my being bristles with excitement
at being in Your presence...
like a magnet You sway me to Yourself,
the pulse of Your Spirit draws me...
pulling me, all of me, closer to Yourself...
You refresh me, O GOD, with Yourself...
and it is enough to satisfy my every longing.
In Christ
Since I am in Christ, by the Grace of God….
I put all my trust in Christ. (John 3:15)
Without Him, I can do nothing. (John 15:5)
In Christ, I live, and move, and have my being.
(Acts 17:28)
I have been forgiven of all of my sins and set free.
I have crossed over from death to eternal life with God.
(John 5:24)
I have been crucified with Christ...
and it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.
The new life that I have because of Jesus will never go away.
(Galatians 2:20)
The sinful person that I used to be died with Christ,
and sin no longer rules my life. (Romans 6:1-6)
In Christ, I have been made righteousness...
in the sight of the Father (2 Corinthians 5:21)
I am now acceptable to God (justified)
and completely forgiven.
I live at peace with Him. (Romans 5:1)
I am God’s possession, chosen and secure in Him (sealed).
I have been given the Holy Spirit...
as a promise of my inheritance to come.
(2 Corinthians 1:21-22)
I am God’s building project,
His handiwork, created in Christ to do His work.
(Ephesians 2:10)
I am a temple – a dwelling place – for God.
His Spirit and His life live in me.
(1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:19)
I have the right to come boldly
before the throne of God in prayer.
He will meet my needs lovingly and kindly.
(Hebrews 4:16)
I have direct access to God through the Holy Spirit.
He listens to my prayers. (Ephesians 2:18)
I was chosen by God to be adopted as His child.
(Ephesians 1:4-5)
I am a child of God. I can call Him “Father.”
(John 1:12-13, Romans 8:14-17)
I am only a visitor to this world in which I temporarily live.
(1 Peter 2:11)
I abide in Christ and bring forth much fruit. (John 15:5)
I can endure all things...
through Christ who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13)
Truly, I am complete in Christ. (Colossians 2:10)
I put all my trust in Christ. (John 3:15)
Without Him, I can do nothing. (John 15:5)
In Christ, I live, and move, and have my being.
(Acts 17:28)
I have been forgiven of all of my sins and set free.
I have crossed over from death to eternal life with God.
(John 5:24)
I have been crucified with Christ...
and it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.
The new life that I have because of Jesus will never go away.
(Galatians 2:20)
The sinful person that I used to be died with Christ,
and sin no longer rules my life. (Romans 6:1-6)
In Christ, I have been made righteousness...
in the sight of the Father (2 Corinthians 5:21)
I am now acceptable to God (justified)
and completely forgiven.
I live at peace with Him. (Romans 5:1)
I am God’s possession, chosen and secure in Him (sealed).
I have been given the Holy Spirit...
as a promise of my inheritance to come.
(2 Corinthians 1:21-22)
I am God’s building project,
His handiwork, created in Christ to do His work.
(Ephesians 2:10)
I am a temple – a dwelling place – for God.
His Spirit and His life live in me.
(1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:19)
I have the right to come boldly
before the throne of God in prayer.
He will meet my needs lovingly and kindly.
(Hebrews 4:16)
I have direct access to God through the Holy Spirit.
He listens to my prayers. (Ephesians 2:18)
I was chosen by God to be adopted as His child.
(Ephesians 1:4-5)
I am a child of God. I can call Him “Father.”
(John 1:12-13, Romans 8:14-17)
I am only a visitor to this world in which I temporarily live.
(1 Peter 2:11)
I abide in Christ and bring forth much fruit. (John 15:5)
I can endure all things...
through Christ who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13)
Truly, I am complete in Christ. (Colossians 2:10)
Naked
I stand naked before You LORD…
What can I say that You can not hear?
What could I think that You don't already know?
Where could I touch that You have not already reached?
Expose the hidden and dark recesses of my soul
Fill them with knowledge of You
Search me, O God, and know my heart:
try me, and know my thoughts
and see if there be any wicked way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:23-24)
I stand naked before you LORD…
Bereft of all the trappings of vanity
I willingly divest myself...
of all things contrary to your nature
Stripped of all earthly desires,
only Your loving protection covers me...
I own nothing but the love you have given me
This is the very love by which my soul cleaves to You...
You are closer than my next breath...
I stand naked before you LORD…
Desiring nothing...
but the quietude of Your presence...
To worship You, my only allegiance,
in the beauty of holiness...
To render to you the glory due unto Your name
(1Chronicles 16:29, Psalm 29:2, Psalm 96:9)
Bless the Lord, O my soul.
O Lord my God, you are clothed with honor and majesty
(Psalm 104:1)
O the depth of the riches
both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
how unsearchable are his judgments,
and his ways are past finding out (Romans 11:33)
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high,
I cannot attain to it (Psalm 139:6)
I stand naked before you LORD…
Seeking only to be clothed with Christ (Romans 13:14)
To put on heartfelt compassion, kindness,
humility, gentleness and patience (Colossians 3:12)
I am made righteous by Your own sacrifice ~
Love this profound is beyond any measure
I greatly rejoice in the LORD,
my soul is joyful in my God,
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
he has covered me with the robe of righteousness (Isaiah 61:10)
With a pure heart, a clear conscience...
unfeigned faith... in humble adoration...
I worship You in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24)
Meanwhile, my soul groans,
longing to be clothed with its heavenly dwelling
(2 Corinthians 5:2)
What can I say that You can not hear?
What could I think that You don't already know?
Where could I touch that You have not already reached?
Expose the hidden and dark recesses of my soul
Fill them with knowledge of You
Search me, O God, and know my heart:
try me, and know my thoughts
and see if there be any wicked way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:23-24)
I stand naked before you LORD…
Bereft of all the trappings of vanity
I willingly divest myself...
of all things contrary to your nature
Stripped of all earthly desires,
only Your loving protection covers me...
I own nothing but the love you have given me
This is the very love by which my soul cleaves to You...
You are closer than my next breath...
I stand naked before you LORD…
Desiring nothing...
but the quietude of Your presence...
To worship You, my only allegiance,
in the beauty of holiness...
To render to you the glory due unto Your name
(1Chronicles 16:29, Psalm 29:2, Psalm 96:9)
Bless the Lord, O my soul.
O Lord my God, you are clothed with honor and majesty
(Psalm 104:1)
O the depth of the riches
both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
how unsearchable are his judgments,
and his ways are past finding out (Romans 11:33)
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high,
I cannot attain to it (Psalm 139:6)
I stand naked before you LORD…
Seeking only to be clothed with Christ (Romans 13:14)
To put on heartfelt compassion, kindness,
humility, gentleness and patience (Colossians 3:12)
I am made righteous by Your own sacrifice ~
Love this profound is beyond any measure
I greatly rejoice in the LORD,
my soul is joyful in my God,
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
he has covered me with the robe of righteousness (Isaiah 61:10)
With a pure heart, a clear conscience...
unfeigned faith... in humble adoration...
I worship You in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24)
Meanwhile, my soul groans,
longing to be clothed with its heavenly dwelling
(2 Corinthians 5:2)
Intimacy
Creator of the universe,
the only living and true God, Lord of eternity,
You made me... You shaped me...
first inside, then out, you formed me in my mother's womb.
I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made...
Your works are marvelous, this my soul knows right well...
You know me inside out, You know every bone in my body...
You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,
how I was sculpted from nothing into something.
(Psalm 139:13-15)
You know me better than I know myself.
You have Your eye upon me at all times.
You sustain me (Hebrews 1:3) ...
such is the power of Your word.
What joy to experience such intimate presence
with the lover of my soul! (Isaiah 38:17)
Surely, I could not make or save myself...
only You can do that...
For I am Your workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus to do good works. (Ephesians 2:10)
God of my comfort, I depend on You,
dear soul provider... and I owe You my life...
every day, yes, every minute...
It is no longer I that lives, but Christ living in me
(Galatians 2:20) ...
Christ... the hope of glory
(Colossians 1:27)
You are the first cause of every movement.
You provide every breath. You provide every heart beat,
counting out the length of my days...
You stir my soul...
without You, I am nothing and can do nothing... (John 15:5)
For in Him, we live, and move, and have our being. (Acts 17:28)
the only living and true God, Lord of eternity,
You made me... You shaped me...
first inside, then out, you formed me in my mother's womb.
I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made...
Your works are marvelous, this my soul knows right well...
You know me inside out, You know every bone in my body...
You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,
how I was sculpted from nothing into something.
(Psalm 139:13-15)
You know me better than I know myself.
You have Your eye upon me at all times.
You sustain me (Hebrews 1:3) ...
such is the power of Your word.
What joy to experience such intimate presence
with the lover of my soul! (Isaiah 38:17)
Surely, I could not make or save myself...
only You can do that...
For I am Your workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus to do good works. (Ephesians 2:10)
God of my comfort, I depend on You,
dear soul provider... and I owe You my life...
every day, yes, every minute...
It is no longer I that lives, but Christ living in me
(Galatians 2:20) ...
Christ... the hope of glory
(Colossians 1:27)
You are the first cause of every movement.
You provide every breath. You provide every heart beat,
counting out the length of my days...
You stir my soul...
without You, I am nothing and can do nothing... (John 15:5)
For in Him, we live, and move, and have our being. (Acts 17:28)
Questions
Lord, You are the Master of my days...
You already know what shall be the length of them
Only You know what will be the final percentage
of how many I truly lived for You...
What will be the shortfall?
How many did I spend thinking of myself?
How many did I try to do things without You?
How many days went by that I didn't commune with You?
... or forgot You altogether?
How many days did I spend taking things for granted?
How many were spent on the follies of this world?
... indulgences in the temporary?
How many were faithless?
How many of my days will You count
that You were truly satisfied by my living? ...
that brought You honor and glory?
If anything, what thing did I do
that brought You the most pleasure?
How many beyond the age of reason did I live
only for Christ?
How many were spent being sensitive to You...
living an obedient, fruitful, holy life?
I don't want to ask what may have been...
only change me now... in Jesus' name
This life will soon be past,
Only what is done for Christ will last...
For me to live is Christ, to die is gain (Philippians 1:21)
You already know what shall be the length of them
Only You know what will be the final percentage
of how many I truly lived for You...
What will be the shortfall?
How many did I spend thinking of myself?
How many did I try to do things without You?
How many days went by that I didn't commune with You?
... or forgot You altogether?
How many days did I spend taking things for granted?
How many were spent on the follies of this world?
... indulgences in the temporary?
How many were faithless?
How many of my days will You count
that You were truly satisfied by my living? ...
that brought You honor and glory?
If anything, what thing did I do
that brought You the most pleasure?
How many beyond the age of reason did I live
only for Christ?
How many were spent being sensitive to You...
living an obedient, fruitful, holy life?
I don't want to ask what may have been...
only change me now... in Jesus' name
This life will soon be past,
Only what is done for Christ will last...
For me to live is Christ, to die is gain (Philippians 1:21)
Refuge
Trouble has landed on my doorstep, O God; refusing to leave.
I should have seen it coming. It's breath smells like vinegar...
It insists on making visitation,
seeking my purchase of upset and worry.
I stare Trouble in the face... only to get smoke in the eyes...
It will offer a huge discount on quietude...
for only the smallest investment of self-pity.
Today's special is double trouble,
Hard Times and Misery, thrown in at no extra charge...
I look everywhere, but no man knows me:
refuge is failing me; for no man cares for my soul.
I cry out to You, O LORD saying:
You are my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.
(Psalm 142:4-5)
I pour out my heart before You God,
desperate for an answer;
I place all my trust in Your unfailing love,
for You alone are my shelter,
You alone are my high tower,
You alone are my refuge (Psalm 62:8)
... a very present help in trouble... (Psalm 46:1)
Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me:
for my soul trusts in You:
yes, in the shadow of Your wings I make my refuge,
until these calamities are gone... (Psalm 57:1)
God of my comfort, You are my strength,
You alone are my refuge from the storm,
my shadow from the heat,
my strong covering of consolation.
I have run to You to take hold of the hope You offer me...
(Isaiah 25:4, Hebrews 6:18)
You alone, LORD, are my defense,
and the rock of my refuge. (Psalm 94:22)
I am holding on to You for dear life. (Psalm 91:14)
You answered my cry for help!
You sent them packing; they couldn't face You... (Psalm 21:12)
Yes, God, You are my sanctuary, my solace,
my safe place and impregnable fortress;
I trust in You implicitly.
Your fingerprints are all over my life...
You have always been faithful to me. (Psalm 91:2)
I should have seen it coming. It's breath smells like vinegar...
It insists on making visitation,
seeking my purchase of upset and worry.
I stare Trouble in the face... only to get smoke in the eyes...
It will offer a huge discount on quietude...
for only the smallest investment of self-pity.
Today's special is double trouble,
Hard Times and Misery, thrown in at no extra charge...
I look everywhere, but no man knows me:
refuge is failing me; for no man cares for my soul.
I cry out to You, O LORD saying:
You are my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.
(Psalm 142:4-5)
I pour out my heart before You God,
desperate for an answer;
I place all my trust in Your unfailing love,
for You alone are my shelter,
You alone are my high tower,
You alone are my refuge (Psalm 62:8)
... a very present help in trouble... (Psalm 46:1)
Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me:
for my soul trusts in You:
yes, in the shadow of Your wings I make my refuge,
until these calamities are gone... (Psalm 57:1)
God of my comfort, You are my strength,
You alone are my refuge from the storm,
my shadow from the heat,
my strong covering of consolation.
I have run to You to take hold of the hope You offer me...
(Isaiah 25:4, Hebrews 6:18)
You alone, LORD, are my defense,
and the rock of my refuge. (Psalm 94:22)
I am holding on to You for dear life. (Psalm 91:14)
You answered my cry for help!
You sent them packing; they couldn't face You... (Psalm 21:12)
Yes, God, You are my sanctuary, my solace,
my safe place and impregnable fortress;
I trust in You implicitly.
Your fingerprints are all over my life...
You have always been faithful to me. (Psalm 91:2)
Rest in the Lord
Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him. (Psalm 37:7)
You said to me “Quiet yourself now,
I know of your labors and the weight of your exhaustion...
rest in me as I lift the “busyness of life”
and every burden from your shoulders...
let Me carry that for you... (Matthew 11:28-30)
What sweet, gentle words of comfort.
What relief!
The oppressive load that sapped my strength has been lifted...
“Yes... simply rest in Me...
here is peace for your soul...
uninterrupted rest.”
“Here is My yoke, try this on...
one size fits all...
learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart.”
Lord, I never knew what was lighter than air.
This is marvellous!
Now I see what the Psalmist meant when he said
“Cast your burden upon the Lord
and he will sustain you.” (Psalm 55:1)
As You lifted my concerns,
You lifted me up to Yourself,
renewing my strength (Isaiah 40:31)
Keep me here, in Your presence.
I need nothing else.
You said to me “Quiet yourself now,
I know of your labors and the weight of your exhaustion...
rest in me as I lift the “busyness of life”
and every burden from your shoulders...
let Me carry that for you... (Matthew 11:28-30)
What sweet, gentle words of comfort.
What relief!
The oppressive load that sapped my strength has been lifted...
“Yes... simply rest in Me...
here is peace for your soul...
uninterrupted rest.”
“Here is My yoke, try this on...
one size fits all...
learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart.”
Lord, I never knew what was lighter than air.
This is marvellous!
Now I see what the Psalmist meant when he said
“Cast your burden upon the Lord
and he will sustain you.” (Psalm 55:1)
As You lifted my concerns,
You lifted me up to Yourself,
renewing my strength (Isaiah 40:31)
Keep me here, in Your presence.
I need nothing else.
Teach Me
Show me how You work, GOD; school me in Your ways...
Take me by the hand; Lead me down the path of truth.
You alone are the God of my salvation, on You I wait all the day ...
Mark the milestones of Your mercy and love, GOD;
Rebuild the ancient landmarks! (Psalm 25:4-6)
Point me down Your highway, GOD;
direct me along a well-lighted street
Teach me Your way, O Lord;
set me on the straight and narrow (Psalm 27:11)
Train me, GOD, to walk straight;
then I will follow your true path...
Put me together; one heart and mind;
then, undivided, I'll worship in joyful fear... (Psalm 86:11)
Be blessed, GOD;
train me in Your ways of wise living ... (Psalm 119:12)
Train me well in your deep wisdom...
Help me understand these things inside and out
so I can ponder Your miraculous wonders... (Psalm 119:26-27)
Barricade the road that goes Nowhere;
grace me with Your clear revelation.
I choose the true road to Somewhere,
I post Your road signs at every curve and corner
I grasp and cling to whatever You tell me; GOD, don't let me down!
I'll run the course You lay out for me if You'll just show me how.
God teach me lessons for living so I can stay the course.
Give me insight so I can do what You tell me ~
my whole life one long, obedient response.
Guide me down the road of Your commandments;
I love traveling this freeway! (Psalm 119:29-35)
Your love, GOD, fills the earth!
Teach me to live by Your counsel. (Psalm 119:64)
Train me in good common sense;
I'm thoroughly committed to living Your way... (Psalm 119:66)
You are good, and the source of good;
train me in Your goodness... (Psalm 119:68)
Teach me Your holy rules... (Psalm 119:108)
Let Your love dictate how You deal with me;
teach me from Your textbook on life... (Psalm 119:124)
Smile on me, Your servant;
teach me the right way to live... (Psalm 119:135)
Teach me how to live to please you, because You're my God.
Lead me by Your blessed Spirit...
into cleared and level pastureland... (Psalm 143:10)
Take me by the hand; Lead me down the path of truth.
You alone are the God of my salvation, on You I wait all the day ...
Mark the milestones of Your mercy and love, GOD;
Rebuild the ancient landmarks! (Psalm 25:4-6)
Point me down Your highway, GOD;
direct me along a well-lighted street
Teach me Your way, O Lord;
set me on the straight and narrow (Psalm 27:11)
Train me, GOD, to walk straight;
then I will follow your true path...
Put me together; one heart and mind;
then, undivided, I'll worship in joyful fear... (Psalm 86:11)
Be blessed, GOD;
train me in Your ways of wise living ... (Psalm 119:12)
Train me well in your deep wisdom...
Help me understand these things inside and out
so I can ponder Your miraculous wonders... (Psalm 119:26-27)
Barricade the road that goes Nowhere;
grace me with Your clear revelation.
I choose the true road to Somewhere,
I post Your road signs at every curve and corner
I grasp and cling to whatever You tell me; GOD, don't let me down!
I'll run the course You lay out for me if You'll just show me how.
God teach me lessons for living so I can stay the course.
Give me insight so I can do what You tell me ~
my whole life one long, obedient response.
Guide me down the road of Your commandments;
I love traveling this freeway! (Psalm 119:29-35)
Your love, GOD, fills the earth!
Teach me to live by Your counsel. (Psalm 119:64)
Train me in good common sense;
I'm thoroughly committed to living Your way... (Psalm 119:66)
You are good, and the source of good;
train me in Your goodness... (Psalm 119:68)
Teach me Your holy rules... (Psalm 119:108)
Let Your love dictate how You deal with me;
teach me from Your textbook on life... (Psalm 119:124)
Smile on me, Your servant;
teach me the right way to live... (Psalm 119:135)
Teach me how to live to please you, because You're my God.
Lead me by Your blessed Spirit...
into cleared and level pastureland... (Psalm 143:10)
This Is My Home
My soul drinks at the fountain of heaven's eternal love
Your grace and mercy flow forth in every direction...
My spirit soars to the third heaven, safely beyond enemy reach... (Ephesians 4:8)
looking for the height of your love... it is yet beyond me...
My spirit circles the globe to ascertain the breadth of Your love
(1 John 4:9)
It is ever wider...
My mind digs deep, passionately searching
Your love is beyond the depths of my being
It is Christ's profound wisdom (Romans 11:33)
My spirit spans the eons seeking the length of Your love
It sees Love throughout all ages... (Ephesians 3:21)
Such is the fullness of Your love...
(Ephesians 3:19, Ephesians 4:13)
I am consumed, and entirely lost in Your love
I abide in Christ's love... (John 15:10)
There is no other place for me...
this is my home.
Your grace and mercy flow forth in every direction...
My spirit soars to the third heaven, safely beyond enemy reach... (Ephesians 4:8)
looking for the height of your love... it is yet beyond me...
My spirit circles the globe to ascertain the breadth of Your love
(1 John 4:9)
It is ever wider...
My mind digs deep, passionately searching
Your love is beyond the depths of my being
It is Christ's profound wisdom (Romans 11:33)
My spirit spans the eons seeking the length of Your love
It sees Love throughout all ages... (Ephesians 3:21)
Such is the fullness of Your love...
(Ephesians 3:19, Ephesians 4:13)
I am consumed, and entirely lost in Your love
I abide in Christ's love... (John 15:10)
There is no other place for me...
this is my home.
The Dream
I dreamt I was with Jesus on a sunlit shore, and in His right hand was a fragile earthenware jar, bearing a Mosaic pattern. It appeared weather-beaten and mottled; a large deep cleft and blemishes of countless jagged lines and fine cracks.
One small piece, the lightest on the face of the jar was far smoother than the rest... it appeared untouched.
You were about to ask, “What on earth is the meaning of this?” Let me explain...
The corroded appearance is all the times you've been hot and cold...
a steady diet of milk and honey with a side order of locusts... you can only go on so long like that before you crack. You can't profess to be on fire for Me and give someone the cold shoulder, or give an icy, sardonic stare of disapproval.
This fissure is your own personal Grand Canyon... a gaping wound in your unsettled soul. Its depth has grown over the years because you have been unwilling to forgive.
That's not a river at the bottom... that a knotted root of bitterness... hardening of the arteries.
The jagged lines are every broken promise, given or received... every fractured and severed relationship, every disappointment, every disillusionment, every disenchantment. Though they are the most obvious defects, you have never seen them for what they are... your character flaws... and these crimson stains are your sins...
The fine cracks are scars of past wounds, hurts and losses. They look fine on the surface, but they run deep, and in many directions... these are the areas of your life that are mostly healed.
This small piece... this one piece... is the most valuable of all. It is how much you have given your life to Me. So far, it's all I've had to work with... but greater than that... it's this small, light piece that I died for...
If you hold it up to the Light, you'll see it has my fingerprints all over it...
“May I ask, What do you plan to do with the jar?”
With your permission, break it, and make a lamp out of this small piece.
One small piece, the lightest on the face of the jar was far smoother than the rest... it appeared untouched.
You were about to ask, “What on earth is the meaning of this?” Let me explain...
The corroded appearance is all the times you've been hot and cold...
a steady diet of milk and honey with a side order of locusts... you can only go on so long like that before you crack. You can't profess to be on fire for Me and give someone the cold shoulder, or give an icy, sardonic stare of disapproval.
This fissure is your own personal Grand Canyon... a gaping wound in your unsettled soul. Its depth has grown over the years because you have been unwilling to forgive.
That's not a river at the bottom... that a knotted root of bitterness... hardening of the arteries.
The jagged lines are every broken promise, given or received... every fractured and severed relationship, every disappointment, every disillusionment, every disenchantment. Though they are the most obvious defects, you have never seen them for what they are... your character flaws... and these crimson stains are your sins...
The fine cracks are scars of past wounds, hurts and losses. They look fine on the surface, but they run deep, and in many directions... these are the areas of your life that are mostly healed.
This small piece... this one piece... is the most valuable of all. It is how much you have given your life to Me. So far, it's all I've had to work with... but greater than that... it's this small, light piece that I died for...
If you hold it up to the Light, you'll see it has my fingerprints all over it...
“May I ask, What do you plan to do with the jar?”
With your permission, break it, and make a lamp out of this small piece.
Transformation
Behold the chrysalis which becomes a beautiful butterfly...
Lord, shape me and mold me
I am but clay in the potter's hand...
Make me more merciful and compassionate, more humble, more gracious and benevolent, more loving, more honest and faithful, more patient and forgiving, more holy and righteous, less self-centered and more self-denying, more obedient to God,
more meek and lowly in heart, more just and virtuous…
Make me more like Christ, all for His glory!
Lord, shape me and mold me
I am but clay in the potter's hand...
Make me more merciful and compassionate, more humble, more gracious and benevolent, more loving, more honest and faithful, more patient and forgiving, more holy and righteous, less self-centered and more self-denying, more obedient to God,
more meek and lowly in heart, more just and virtuous…
Make me more like Christ, all for His glory!
The Conductor
Am I in tune with You Lord? ... for I do not want to be the music that plays past a rest or a full stop.
Pluck again, the chords within my heart, that it may resonate deeply with Your calling. A whisper will do. For even the most musical ear is at times deeply affected by a simple air.
You are the Conductor. Fine tune me... Your instrument of righteousness (Romans 6:13) ...
that I may play my part... For I do not want to be a clanging cymbal or a loud reverberating gong (1 Corinthians 13: 1) marching to the beat of a different drummer...
... only Your love is instrumental...
Orchestrate the melodic phrase of every moment... symphonize the measure of my days, that my life may ring true to Your signature.
I cleave to You... my Clef. Your rod and staff comfort me, for You arrange my way through the sharps and flats... It is not by any concerted effort on my part... I follow Your lead... You are the Key of Life, and I am Your opus.
The LORD is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation. (Psalm 118:14)
Pluck again, the chords within my heart, that it may resonate deeply with Your calling. A whisper will do. For even the most musical ear is at times deeply affected by a simple air.
You are the Conductor. Fine tune me... Your instrument of righteousness (Romans 6:13) ...
that I may play my part... For I do not want to be a clanging cymbal or a loud reverberating gong (1 Corinthians 13: 1) marching to the beat of a different drummer...
... only Your love is instrumental...
Orchestrate the melodic phrase of every moment... symphonize the measure of my days, that my life may ring true to Your signature.
I cleave to You... my Clef. Your rod and staff comfort me, for You arrange my way through the sharps and flats... It is not by any concerted effort on my part... I follow Your lead... You are the Key of Life, and I am Your opus.
The LORD is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation. (Psalm 118:14)
The Christ Encounter
It was Sunday and I was in the Spirit, praying.
From behind me I heard a loud voice clearly as a trumpet ~
I turned and saw the voice...
My mind began racing, as if chasing an elusive thought, but my eyes knew well enough
what they were seeing; there appeared before me One who I was not worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of His sandals.
I beheld One whose hair was like strands of lightning, His eyes were pouring out sunlight. He was robed in majesty and His breastplate shone gold. His clothes were filled with light. As I looked at His gleaming bronze feet, I noticed also that He was standing in the center of a gold menorah with seven branches.
In His right hand were Seven Stars and His voice flowed forth like many waterfalls.
I saw this fainting dead at His feet. I was surrounded by seven angels and felt the flutter of their wings as He pulled me straight up with His right hand...
Words of comfort came to my ears... “Be of good cheer. I AM the First, I AM the Last, I AM Alive. Truly, I say unto you, I died and defeated death. I have come back to life; a deathless life.
Now... what would you like to tell me?”
From behind me I heard a loud voice clearly as a trumpet ~
I turned and saw the voice...
My mind began racing, as if chasing an elusive thought, but my eyes knew well enough
what they were seeing; there appeared before me One who I was not worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of His sandals.
I beheld One whose hair was like strands of lightning, His eyes were pouring out sunlight. He was robed in majesty and His breastplate shone gold. His clothes were filled with light. As I looked at His gleaming bronze feet, I noticed also that He was standing in the center of a gold menorah with seven branches.
In His right hand were Seven Stars and His voice flowed forth like many waterfalls.
I saw this fainting dead at His feet. I was surrounded by seven angels and felt the flutter of their wings as He pulled me straight up with His right hand...
Words of comfort came to my ears... “Be of good cheer. I AM the First, I AM the Last, I AM Alive. Truly, I say unto you, I died and defeated death. I have come back to life; a deathless life.
Now... what would you like to tell me?”
Words You Didn't Say
My sorrow is only a shade heavier than the dark clouds hanging over me like a death sentence. The crowds milling about beneath Your feet heard You crying in a loud voice... “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Tears liven my tongue. Somehow the crowd has vanished, for when my eyes connect with Yours, all I see is You and me. All I see is love and truth at its purest.
I see in Your eyes the very words You didn't say in these six excruciating hours:
Your arms stretched out east to west speak to my soul...“I thought of you before the foundations of the earth.”
As You look down upon me from the cross, with every drop of blood running down, You declare... “I forgive you, of every sin you will ever commit.”
Every agonizing moment You endure this cross, You are saying to me “There is no shame in this. This is for the Father's glory. It is my joy to take your place.”
As I stand here looking up to You, surely You hear the teardrops welling up in my soul.
Surely You know my heart has leapt out of my breast to run into Your arms.
You feel the weight of my sorrow, yet it is but a mere fraction of the agony You are bearing for me...
As You breathed Your very last breath, You again cried out loudly... “I love you forever.”
Tears liven my tongue. Somehow the crowd has vanished, for when my eyes connect with Yours, all I see is You and me. All I see is love and truth at its purest.
I see in Your eyes the very words You didn't say in these six excruciating hours:
Your arms stretched out east to west speak to my soul...“I thought of you before the foundations of the earth.”
As You look down upon me from the cross, with every drop of blood running down, You declare... “I forgive you, of every sin you will ever commit.”
Every agonizing moment You endure this cross, You are saying to me “There is no shame in this. This is for the Father's glory. It is my joy to take your place.”
As I stand here looking up to You, surely You hear the teardrops welling up in my soul.
Surely You know my heart has leapt out of my breast to run into Your arms.
You feel the weight of my sorrow, yet it is but a mere fraction of the agony You are bearing for me...
As You breathed Your very last breath, You again cried out loudly... “I love you forever.”
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