Showing posts with label hope. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hope. Show all posts

Saturday, March 16, 2024

Oh My God, Since Thou Art With Me

When I am tempted to despair
God bids me lean on Him in prayer
There He tramples the enemy
As He whispers His peace to Me


The world may sometimes seem like a different place
 than in 'the good, old days'
 but it isn't really. Evil has always been evil 
and God has always been faithful and good!

1 John 4:4
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them:
 because greater is he that is in you,
 than he that is in the world.



Ps.18:2
The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; 
My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; 
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.




Oh my God, since Thou art with me
Thou who givest life its breath
Thou who walked the way to Calv’ry
Thou who bore love’s cross, to/through death
Thou, whom death could never conquer
Thou, whose Name grants hope its goal
Thou, the Victor of grave’s plunder
Thou, the Saviour of the soul
Thou, who satisfies Want’s hunger
Through Thy everlasting word
Thou, who fits us with faith’s armour
Thou, whose will is undeterred
Thou, who orchestrates each season
Thou who numbers all our days
Thou, whose ways transcend our reason
Thou, whose love never betrays
Thou, who never will forsake us
Thou, whose promises secure
Thou, whose favor longs to make us
More like Thee; holy and pure
Oh, my God since Thou art with me
To commune and commandeer
Thou, whose Light transcends death’s valley
What have I to dread or fear?

Oh, my God, since Thou art with me
Thou who suffered for my sin
Thou whose blood out-poured, redeems me
Thou, whose Spirit dwells within
Thou, my Comforter in sorrow
Thou, my fortress, come what may
Thou who bidst me not to borrow
Morrow’s troubles for today
Thou who cheers me in the struggle
Thou, who guards me from despair
Thou, who is my help in trouble
Thou, who hears my earnest prayer
Thou, whose purpose will not falter
Thou whose power will prevail
Thou, who beholds worship’s altar
Thou, whose Ransom will not fail
Thou, who receives my confession
Thou, Forgiver of sin’s shame
Thou, who keeps no record of them
To crush joy with guilt or blame
Thou whose Goodness overwhelms me
Thou whose mercy overrides
Oh my God, since Thou art with me
What have I to need besides?

Oh my God, since Thou art with me
Thou who holds Time in Thy hands
Thou, Cradle of eternity
Thou whose Supreme Say commands 
Thou, whose Provision is perfect
Thou, whose judgments never err
Thou, who is changeless in edict
Whose love is beyond compare 
Thou, who stepped from Heaven's glory
To be sin's Atonement Lamb
Author of Salvation's Story
I AM who I say I AM
King of Kings and Lord of Lords, yet
Thou, Redemption's Once-For-All
Thou, who broke the curse sin beget/begot  
Thou, who saves us from The Fall
Thou, who did not spare His body
But with selfless sympathy
Put on flesh, became nobody
Suffered in all ways, as we
Thou, who rent the veil to ritual 
Thou who saves us by His grace
Oh my God, since Thou art faithful
Who could ever take Thy place? 

© Janet Martin



John 17:3
And this is life eternal, 
that they might know thee the only true God, 
and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Psalm 100:5
For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting;
 and his truth endureth to all generations.

Psalm 93:2
Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting.

Monday, March 11, 2024

How To Replenish Love's Delight...



“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord”
 (Romans 12:11).

Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart,
 for God has already approved what you do.

Above, a few verses from a few Daily Bread devotionals I missed on the weekend
because we were away for a bit!

Great verses to contemplate as we begin a new week!


May your week be as sweet as a Krispy Kreme donut!
(One of our stops)



It's easy to be filled with delight while savoring donuts,
but life/love isn't always as soft and sweet as a fresh donut, is it?!
If it was we would become fat and foolish,
sluggish and selfish!

James 1:2-4 BSB
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, 
when you encounter trials of many kinds, 
3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
 4Allow perseverance to finish its work, 
so that you may be mature and complete, 
not lacking anything.

To overcome despair
Is to replenish love's delight
Through faithful, thankful prayer

Is to fix our eyes
On He whose hope elates
Whose grace made possible the prize
That faith anticipates 

Is to count our joys
Rather than our woes
Is to seize what each morn deploys
And dusk draws to a close

Is to choose what is right
And forgive fellowman
And in each flight from morn to night
To do the best we can

Because God gave His best
Because He loves us so
To dwell on this renews the zest/quest
No care can overthrow

Because when we believe
We walk by faith, not sight
And as we trust we will receive
Love's replenished delight

Janet Martin

Jer.17:7
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD,
 whose confidence is in him.

Psalm 40:4
Blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust, 
who has not turned to the proud, 
nor to those who lapse into falsehood.



Thursday, February 8, 2024

Fond Yonder-World of 'Soon'


Yesterday afternoon on our south-facing deck in a cozy crook of sunshine
 I wiggled my toes (and blew my nose, due to sudden head cold) 
profoundly taken by an immense Sense of Impending Soon!

Celestial rivers meandered overhead...




Perhaps, due in part because
it's been a less-than-normal snowy winter so far,
stoking thoughts with bucolic scenes of 'Soon'







In a fond, yonder-world of ‘Soon’
Unravels summer’s afternoon
Uncurls a river, silver-bent
Unfurls earth’s mirth of winter spent
Unwinds a lane, wildflower-fringed
Beyond a gaping gate unhinged
Leading through lilac hedge and tress
To front row seats to happiness
To loiter where daffodils sway
To climb the young, green hills of May
To leap like lambs, with joy because
The world rings/sings with Winter That Was

...where pockets jingle, full of June
In a fond, yonder-world of ‘soon’
Where brooks chuckle, content to glide
Without hype, through the countryside
To welcome we who once were wishin’
For yellow dusk, perfect for fishin’
For zephyr-soft caress to brush
Our pallid cheek with sun-kissed flush
And to be humbled by a prize
Of bursting buds beneath blue skies
And to be sweetly glad because
Twilight is later than it was

…where the fond, yonder-world of ‘Soon’
That cheered a dull, chill afternoon
Has rent the veil that held at bay
Laughter of barefoot child at play
And countless little pleasantries
Bidding us take an hour’s ease
To revel ‘neath the influence
Of bloom-imbibed exuberance
Enchanted by a brimming world
Of nature’s orchestras unfurled
In melodies and colours of
A Composer whose name is Love

…who stirs in us a yearning croon
For a fond, yonder-world of ‘Soon’
Where pastures green and waters still
Unmarred by grief and pain will spill
Where farewell’s tear will never dim
The eye, no solemn parting hymn
Will sever ties that briefly bound
Us to a time, four-season-crowned
With here and there a glimpse for we
Who dream of how Heaven will be
Then faith does not lose heart because
Soon this will be the world that was

© Janet Martin

With here and there a glimpse for we
Who dream of how Heaven will be...


Heaven-

Rev.21:4
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. 
There will be no more death 
or mourning 
or crying 
or pain,
 for the old order of things 
has passed away.”






Tuesday, January 2, 2024

Sorrow's Silver Lining

Lam.3:31-33 NIV
For no one is cast off by the Lord forever.
32 Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,
so great is his unfailing love.
33 For he does not willingly bring affliction
or grief to anyone.

***
Some sorrow-crosses are borne on backs,
and are easy to recognize,
some are borne in hearts and souls
known fully, only to God's eyes
This life, full of sorrow-inducing care
Is weathered best, tethered to prayer
Because wherever/whatever the cross may be
None are too hidden for God to see
No matter what hurt has fashioned its frame
Healing is found as hope trusts in His Name

*** 

Isa.40:31 NIV
...but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.
 They will soar on wings like eagles;
 they will run and not grow weary, 
they will walk and not be faint.



Sorrow can be a plumbless pit
Where worship could wither away
Or, it can be the key to fit
The bearer of its cross to pray
To help faith’s posture learn to lean
Completely on God’s perfect will
To guide through gates to pastures green
To lead us beside waters still
And drink from Living Streams, our fill

…where, though Evidence of things seen
May fill our Cup of Circumstance
With sorrow’s bitter go-between
Vexing hope’s perplexing substance
He shepherds and restores our souls
He leads in paths of righteousness
And sanctifies self-seeking goals
With a more Calvary-like ‘yes’
As we cling to His promises

Sorrow could drown hope in sad tears
And blind us to ‘joy set before’
And choke us with a noose of years
Where Yester’s futile shadows roar
Or sorrow can invite us to
Come unto He who gives us rest
To taste His comfort, kind and true
For He bore sorrow’s greatest test
Thus understands our sorrows best

Ah, here sorrow dons eagle’s wings
Though grief may hound time's brief sojourn
Hope's silver lining gleams; joy sings
Like a bird sensing Morn’s return
The valley of death’s shadow grants
The Shepherd's rod and staff to cheer
The Cup of bitter Circumstance
While Heaven’s gate/wait is drawing near
The hour of faith’s final tear

© Janet Martin

Psalm 23 NKJV

The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not [a]want.
2 He makes me to lie down in [b]green pastures;
He leads me beside the [c]still waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will [d]dwell in the house of the Lord
[e]Forever.

Saturday, December 23, 2023

Keep On!


Yesterday I attended the funeral of Wayne.
Friends and family received words of comfort and encouragement
as we reflected on a man, not perfect, but committed humbly
to honor God, though his lot in life was not what anyone would choose,
he desired above all to;



The service opened with the reminder that Wayne has done what still awaits all of us! 
He has met his Maker, but His Maker was/is also his Savior. 
We were challenged that the same may be true of us;
that when we meet God we will meet Him not only as our Maker 
but, as our Savior too!

The second speaker reminded family and friends 
that our God is a God of promises; 
Sweet words of comfort esp. for Wayne's wife, children, Dad, siblings, etc.

...so, reflecting on a funeral at Christmas is not morbid
but in reality, is what the joy of Christmas is; Jesus, the hope of mankind
come to earth to be our Saviour
not for this brief life only, but to all who believe,
 forever and ever! Amen!
This reality makes our Christmas reflections more precious than ever!!
And rekindles faith's fervor to keep on till we too can say,

'I have fought the good fight, 
I have finished the race,
 I have kept the faith. 
8Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, 
which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day,
 and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
2 Tim.4:7-8


Keep on, we, not yet victorious
Upon Jesus fix faith’s eyes
For the joy still set before us
Keep on pressing to the prize

Keep on praying to keep seeking
God’s kingdom and righteousness
Keep on trusting, wholly leaning
Of His steadfast promises

Keep on looking to the Saviour
To imbue our walk and talk
To correct rebel behaviour
Lest we leave a stumbling block

Keep on casting cares on Jesus
Praise Him with each thought and breath
Until His last mercy frees us
From these bodies doomed to death

Keep on hoping, keep on loving
Every sin, humbly confess
Until the day of faith’s proving
Wins a crown of righteousness

Keep on with fixed dedication
To fight dark forces of sin
Until faith’s last invitation
Hears these blessed words ‘enter in’

© Janet Martin



Friday, December 22, 2023

Beholding Christmas (or Joy's Supremacy)


For unto us a child is born,
unto us a son is given,
and the government will be upon His shoulders.
And He will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7Of the increase of His government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on the throne of David
and over his kingdom,
to establish and sustain it
with justice and righteousness
from that time and forevermore.

The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this.

***

The more we try the less it seems we can comprehend
the vastness of God's everlasting love!

That's why there are SO many poems and hymns
composed, trying to put into words
what words can never fully express-
of worship enough to fill eternity!
Hallelujah!




Behold the love/Son of God
Born for sin’s sacrifice
To bear hatred’s most cruel rod
To pay salvation’s price

Behold Bethlehem’s Boy
Redemption’s humble King
Who knew good tidings of great joy
Would cost Him everything

Behold, the Prince of Peace
Behold the zeal of He
Whose grief accomplished the increase
Of His/joy's supremacy

Behold Humility
Child of Mary’s travail
I AM fulfilling prophecy
In minutest detail

Behold, hope’s Star unfurled
Kneel at the manger, then
Behold, the Saviour of the world
Behold Christmas. Amen

Behold, a child is born
Behold, a Son is giv'n
To pierce hell's darkness with a Thorn
That lights the Wick of Heav'n

© Janet Martin



Micah 5:4
And He shall stand and feed[a] His flock
In the strength of the Lord,
In the majesty of the name of the Lord His God;
And they shall abide,
For now He shall be great
To the ends of the earth;  

Thursday, December 21, 2023

Hope's Stomping Grounds

Today's post is as bittersweet as they come...
most recently mentioned in this post
is free from suffering at last!
Gathered to God on Monday, Dec.18

Ps.116:15
Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His saints.

Recently I received the book below,
*Reflections of Jesus,
a gift from the author, as a way of saying thank-you!
(I am delighted to have the poem Bethlehem Star included in it)



When I received the news that Wayne passed away I picked up this book
and looked and looked at the painting on the cover
weeping sad-glad tears as I pictured him like this,

His hurting is over!
Please pray for healing for the family 
as they mourn the loss of husband and father,
son, brother, etc.
as they bear both deep grief and deep relief!


'our loss is his gain' said a family member last night at the visitation.
 'a great wait/weight lifted at last' murmured his sorrow-worn wife


We mourn, but not as sorrow grieves, without hope, by God’s grace
The rending tear that death achieves and mortal eyes surmise
Does not reveal the Whole; the Unseen of faith’s resting place
As Sight, with no dark glass between beholds The Promised Prize

As God, gathers a suffering Soul into eternity
Healed from the hurts that take their toll on this side of death’s door
Freed from the weight of waiting for the Final Victory
Beyond futile debating of life’s why-when-and-wherefore

How precious in the sight of God is the death of His saints
For those who love Him; thus, no bitter barter tunes or taints
The tears that flow, because through Christ the Soul from hell is spared

The interim that Time employs until this life is through
And loss no longer vexes joys with Heaven’s sweetest gains
Is but Hope’s Stomping Grounds, a tie that Heaven will undo
When in the twinkling of an eye, death rends life’s binding chains

Then, comfort one another with the hope in Christ alone
God hears our prayers and mothers our sorrow-broken hearts
He tromps Hope's Stomping Grounds with us, (not one step on our own
Until the hope found/bound in Jesus, faith's finished fabric parts  


© Janet Martin


May we all make our calling sure while time is still on our side!
May the reason for the Christmas Season become profoundly dearer
as we believe, and receive the inheritance 
only the Saviour of the Soul will/can give;
Living Hope

Rom.15:13
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

1 Thess.4:13-18
But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren,
concerning those who have fallen [b]asleep,
lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.
14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again,
even so God will bring with Him those who [c]sleep in Jesus.
15For this we say to you by the word of the Lord,
that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord
 will by no means precede those who are [d]asleep.
16For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout,
with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God.
And the dead in Christ will rise first.
17Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up
together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.
And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
18Therefore comfort one another with these words.



*if you would like to order the book
Reflections of Jesus






















Saturday, December 16, 2023

Marvelous Light


Isa.9:2
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
 on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned...


I am 'labouring' through the last books in the Old Testament,
 groaning through the sobering passages of God's wrath and judgment 
for everyone who turns away from Him, because they do not fear Him,
 but worship others gods, and do not keep His commandments.

But oh, wonderful grace of Jesus, always with every judgment God reminds them
of his mercy and redemption for all who repent and come/return to Him!!






Rom.6:12-14
Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its desires.
13Do not present the parts of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness,
but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life;
and present the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness.
14For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.

Part of Zacharias's song in Luke 1:76-79

And you, child, will be called

a prophet of the Most High;

for you will go on before the Lord

to prepare the way for Him,

77to give to His people the knowledge of salvation

through the forgiveness of their sins,

78because of the tender mercy of our God,

by which the Dawnf will visit us from on high,

79to shine on those who live in darkness

and in the shadow of death,

to guide our feet

into the path of peace.”


The poem below is but a pale halo of awe, for words fail as we consider
the awesome love and mercy of God...


Into the darkness of the world that groans with scorn and spite
The splendor of hope is unfurled to pierce the dark with Light
To salvage us from death’s despair, from sin’s most cunning means
To draw us to repentant prayer where mercy intervenes

The Saviour of the world has come; Jesus, the Son of God
The Cornerstone of Christendom to bear death’s meanest rod
The Great I AM, the King of kings and Lord of lords became
The Lamb who takes away the sins of all who trust His Name

‘Ho, every son and daughter’ the Heavenly Father cries
Come, drink the Living Water from the well that never dries
Come and buy without money, eat to fulness without price
A land of milk and honey waits through mercy’s sacrifice

Into the darkness of the world in need of peace and joy
Behold, a great Light is unfurled, veiled as an infant boy
Who came to bring Justice to earth and hope to sorry strife
To pierce the fierce shadow of death with everlasting Life

…to guide our feet into the path of peace, away from sin
To satisfy God’s blameless wrath by bringing souls to Him
To soften stubborn hardness of cold hearts with mercy’s might
To call us out of darkness into His marvelous light

© Janet Martin


1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, 
a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, 
to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness 
into His marvelous light.


Isa.55:1-9
Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money;
 come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? 
and your labour for that which satisfieth not? 
hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good,
 and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live
; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

4 Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.

5 Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, 
and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the Lord thy God,
 and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.

6 Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts:
 and let him return unto the Lord, 
and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, 
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Friday, December 15, 2023

The Best Gift (We Can Never Buy)



John 1:14
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.
We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son,
who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.





We cannot buy the things that only God grants, through His love
The pelf and pleasure of this world can never satisfy
No bag or box or bank account is ever big enough
To hold or purchase happiness, no matter how we try 

His death and resurrection purchased hope for everyone


We cannot buy pure joy or peace only God grants, through grace
His joy in us makes joy complete; nothing can take His place

How futile is the search for happiness then, without He 
By faith, may see His glory too, the glory of God's son

The things that truly satisfy, cannot be bought or sold
No matter how we try we cannot purchase happiness
Only God grants The Gift that transcends this world's transient hold
Silver and gold can never buy His precious promises

The best gift we can never buy and only God can grant
Is free to all who call on Him; the Saviour of the soul
Though we may gain the whole world, without God's best gift we can't
Find hope, truth, peace or joy; these come through faith that makes us whole

© Janet Martin

Ps.146:5
Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, 
whose hope is in the LORD his God:

Matthew 16:26
What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?
 Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Hope (From He Who transcends Time and Place)

"Have I not commanded you? 
Be strong and courageous.
 Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, 
for the Lord your God will be with you 
wherever you go" 
Joshua 1:9

But now, this is what the LORD says— 
he who created you, Jacob, 
he who formed you, Israel: 
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
 I have summoned you by name;
 you are mine.
Isa.43:1

So do not fear, for I am with you; 
do not be dismayed, for I am your God. 
I will strengthen you and help you; 
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isa.41:10

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: 
for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, 
which shall be to all people.
 Luke 2:10




From He who transcends time and place
To we in need of saving grace
Since that first angel-hymn unfurled
Hope penetrates a broken world

Ah! Lift your hearts in praise and prayer
We are not destined to despair
Nor doomed to suffer Satan’s scorn
The Savior of the world is born

Be not afraid, for unto us
A Deliv’rer still comes; Jesus
Then let us too make haste to see
First Bethlehem, then Calvary

Then, let us with hearts humbly awed
Bring gifts of thankfulness to God
For hope transcending time and place
From He who saves us by His grace

© Janet Martin


Deut.11:19
Teach them (God's Words/laws) to your children, 
speaking about them when you sit at home 
and when you walk along the road, 
when you lie down 
and when you get up...