GIVING THANKS

Our mind is on the prize.
Our heart is set on the Lord, above.
Each day brings us closer
To the day we shall abide, in our home, above.

The joy of our salvation
Is our strength, each day,
We have fellowship with our Savior.
Jesus hears us as we pray.

The race which we run, on earth,
Will, one day, see the finish line.
Until the day we reach our eternal goal,
We give thanks for God's love, joy, and peace of mind.

Jo Ann Kelly © 2004
J. P.'s Inspirations

Used with permission





When You Volunteer to Pray

If you say you’ll pray for someone,
Better check it out real fast.
Were they sure attending church, somewhere?
Can you rely on who you asked?

Are they saved? Are they sanctified?
Is the Holy Spirit there?
Can you discern Him freely
In their very needful prayer?

Is it their fault they’re o’ertaken by
This illness or disease?
You make sure before you call out
And pray for one of these.

In the Bible, I remember,
Jesus prayed for one whose eyes
Never saw the light of dawning
And was told to great surprise ...

That it was no fault of anyone.
It was to glory God.
Now, isn’t that a strange way,
When so many raise the rod?

And I don’t believe the woman
Jesus spoke to, at the well,
Would really be a worthy one.
(Surely, One so wise could tell.)

Now, about adultery,
The woman OR the man ...
Better let them clean a little bit,
Before you take their hand.

Beloved, we’re not judges
And we can’t discern the way
God patiently deals with us
As He leads us, day by day.

I don’t need to have the details,
But I’ll say the prayer I feel,
And Jesus, in His mercy, will
Reach out ~ a soul to heal!

When I suffer and I’m lying
With the dust right in my face,
When my tears are flowing freely
And my life feels so disgraced ...

Then, I know I have a "Paraclete"
That’s parallel to me;
Suffering all my anguish
'Til the Light of Hope I see.

His work in me brings forth the gold
That matches Heaven’s face
And it’s all because, in direst need,
My Savior took my place!


© 2004 by Joan Clifton Costner
http://www.heavenlypoetry.com

http://underhiswings0.tripod.com

Used with permission





God Bless Us in 2005

We heard that you were coming back in 2000.
Many scurried about, believing it to be so.
You chose not to listen to man.

Now, it is 2005. Please, bless us, Lord.
Forgive us when we listen to man and not to you.

May the war end soon and the troops come home.
Forgive us our prejudices and lack of concern.

Bless those that are hungry and are not warm today.
Teach us to pray with a much stronger faith.

Help us to be more effective for you.
Allow us to be prosperous enough to help others,
But not enough that we will not look to you.

We say, "God Bless America." But, let us mean it, dear Lord.
Keep us humble and remember that all is from you.

Help us to be mindful of the friends you send our way.
May we remember them each day, as we pray.

God, stay close to us; even if we stray.
Allow us enough difficulty that we will often say,
"Only through our Lord Jesus can I make it, today."

Thank you for the blessing that will be ours in 2005.

© 2004 by Sarah Berthelson
Sarah@Berthelson.com

Sarah is the author of "He Guides My Path"
Barnes And Noble.com, Borders.com and Amazon.com
http://www.christianpoetry.org/selentry-2.php?aid=87

Used with permission

~ ABIDING IN CHRIST ~

Abiding in our Savior brings peace, love, and joy.
We can dwell within His presence, each day.
There is hope, for all who call upon His name,
And help for every problem; in the blessed Gospel way.

We can carry every problem or burden
To the throne room of our Loving Savior.
God will always answer, if we abide in Him.
He will keep us safe, within His love and favor.

Each day and season is a little brighter
With the Spirit of the Lord, who dwells within.
What a joy to know the One who loves us so.
We have the greatest love of our dearest Friend.

Jo Ann Kelly © 2004
J. P.'s Inspirations

Used with permission

MORE THAN WONDERFUL

Jesus is everything we need and so much more.
He is the Way, Truth, and Life; the one and only Door.
All we could ask can be found in our Blessed Lord.
He'll be with us, from the day of our birth to our final reward.

He really is more than wonderful and such a joy within our lives.
Only He could cleanse a soul from sin and take away strife.
Only Jesus can give peace that fills our heart and soul.
He is everything we need and such a wonder to behold.

Reach for the rainbow and let your light always shine.
God has blessed us with His love. He's given us peace of mind.
Jesus is more than wonderful. He is all we ever need.
God's grace will keep us, as His Word we heed.

It's a wonderful world with Jesus. He is our Lord and Savior.
What a joy it is to live within His grace and favor.
One day soon, we shall behold Him and see Him face to face.
Until that day, we shall press on. Keep walking on, in faith.

Jo Ann Kelly © 2004
J. P.'s Inspirations

Used with permission

IN EVERYTHING, GIVE THANKS

Do you have sad moments
Or think that no one cares?
Do dark clouds of gloom
Seem to fill the air?

Are there thoughts of loneliness
Which try to bring despair to your soul?
Jesus knows all about it.
He has everything under control.

Through it all, we learn to trust Him.
In everything, we can give thanks and praise.
Although things may not be perfect,
We have been given His peace, each day.

We have been forgiven;
Filled with His Spirit of love.
Our sins are washed away.
Our names are written in the Lamb's book of Life, above.

So, in everything, let us give thanks.
Lift up your hands, in thanksgiving, to God, above.
He will keep you in His amazing grace.
You can have peace and joy in the safety of His great love.

Jo Ann Kelly © 2004
J. P.'s Inspirations

Used with permission

The Dust of Destiny

God made a man from the dust of the earth
And miraculously fashioned his frame.
He blessed him with values and purpose, and worth;
And gave him a marvellous name.

He was called Adam, the first of his kind;
In likeness and image of God:
Perfect in body and spirit, and mind.
The angels of heaven were awed.

In all of creation, this man was the best
And, yet, he was standing alone.
The creatures of earth, with their mates, had been blessed.
Yet, Adam lacked one of his own.

God sent a deep sleep, to encompass this man,
And removed a rib from his side.
When the work was completed, in purpose and plan,
This man had a beautiful bride.

Bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh:
A Woman, A Partner, A Wife.
In the rivers of love, we will often refresh.
We are linked, by the Father, for life.

In His wonderful way (God’s working today),
When you trust Him, the blessings will start.
Then, with joy, you can say, "He is molding the clay,
And He lives and abides in my heart."

In this moment in time, there’s a reason and rhyme
To pay heed to the things we’ve discussed.
When your God’s in control, He’ll be stirring your soul
With the way He’s still using the dust !!!

© 2004 by Jim Lake
http://www.jim-lake-poems.com
http://www.xulonpress.com/bookstore/titles/1594670056.htm

Used with permission

PRAYING IN FAITH

The Saints of old were dedicated.
They served God both day and night.
For the promise, they patiently waited
Until the Messiah came to give them light.

All men had walked in darkness,
Because of the fall of man.
The Father, above, looked down in love.
He saw souls perishing and had a plan.

In the fullness of time, He sent His Son;
The greatest gift we could ever receive.
He laid down his life to take away sin and strife.
All we have to do is accept Him and believe.

We pray, as Jesus dwells within our hearts;
Knowing He will come again, one day.
He sees faith in our lives and hears every plea.
We must trust and obey as, to the Lord, we pray.

Jo Ann Kelly © 2004
J. P.'s Inspirations

Used with permission

~ JESUS IS COMING, AGAIN  ~

The prophets spoke about the return of our Lord.
Jesus told His disciples He would come, again.
We give thanks for the promises of God's only begotten Son.
He still saves souls from a life of sin.

One day soon, when this life is over
And Jesus comes to call for His own,
We shall rise to meet the Lord in the air.
Together, we shall go to our new heavenly home.

We know not the day nor hour
When the Son of God shall, in glory, appear.
But from the signs we see all around,
We know His coming must be near.

Are you looking for Jesus to come in the clouds?
At that time, there shall be no further delays.
There will be no time to make things certain.
There will be no more time for souls to pray.

So, live each day for the Master.
Let, Jesus Christ be Lord of all.
This could be the very hour He will come again.
We know not the time of the Bridegroom's call.

It's almost going home time.
This world is not our home.
On that great day of the Lord,
We shall enter heaven's glory; nevermore to roam.

Jo Ann Kelly © 2004
J. P.'s Inspirations

Used with permission

~  Music  ~

None is an island unto himself.
Two can make for cherished company.
But, three is a heavenly trio.

~ * ~

What wonderful music we make,
When we sing in harmony;
Sharing joys of our Lord.


© 2004 by Joyce C. Lock
http://our.homewithgod.com/heavenlyinspirations/

Used with permission





LOOKING OUT TO THE OUTCASTS

There are multitudes of outcasts,
Separated from God by sin and shame.
Yet, we have received the greatest gift of all.
We have eternal life and authority, in Jesus' holy name.

Many are wandering alone, who are lost and dying.
We must have a burden for souls and care.
Do we hear the outcasts crying?
Have we the heart of Christ and His love to share?

Some feel there is no hope.
They have believed the enemy and his lies.
In spiritual blindness they grope,
Hoping someone will hear their silent cries.

God, give us a heart of compassion.
Give us your heart of love.
Let us be your body, on earth.
We are to tell others of your great love.

May we see in the world, the lost, and hurting.
Lead us to souls who need to hear the good news;
Remembering, if we had not received you as our Savior,
We would be walking in their shoes.

Jo Ann Kelly © 2004
J. P.'s Inspirations

Used with permission





BE PREPARED ...


Be Prepared,
If this you have not learned.
For, we know not when Christ will return.
The King of Kings has ordained a time
When he will come, to take his children away;
And we know not whether it is night or day.

Be Prepared
And speak a word in due season,
For Christ is the reason.
He came to save the lost
And, with his life, took that to the cross.

Be Prepared
In your heart and life.
Turn away from sin and strife.
Turn from those things that separate you from his holiness,
So you will not have to second guess.

Be Prepared.
Do not continue to deny that you have time.
For, our lives are in his hand and to deny that is a crime.

Be Prepared,
I say to you, today.
Reach out to Christ, believe, and pray.

Be Prepared.
For, all will bow and confess that Jesus is Lord.
Now is the time to be in one accord.

Be Prepared.
Do not let the enemy deceive
And cause you not to believe.

Be Prepared
To be bold, not cold, in your walk.
Share the gospel and talk of the great things
The Lord has done for you;
So he may do it for someone else, too.

Be Prepared,
For you have, now, heard!
Go to God's word,
With a changing of heart observed.

Be Prepared,
For one must repent of sin
That is within
And believe and confess that Jesus died for your sins
So you can have a way to begin.

You shall be saved by his grace
And because of this,
As a witness of preparation,
You will meet him face to face.

Be Prepared.
The question, now,
For you have been shown how
With this and that is, "Where will you be
When life here, on earth, ceases to be?"
If you can now see and turn your life to Christ,
You will have life, for eternity.

Be Prepared.


© 2004 by Elena Ramirez
Prayerofgod@comcast.net
http://home.comcast.net/~prayerofgod/index.html

Used with permission