Unto the King Eternal: September 2011

Unto the King Eternal

The love of our king radiantly outshines a love that's maternal,
His love knows no bounds, it's freeing and everlasting, a love that's eternal.

So love and live for the King eternal,
Grab hold of life in Jesus and let go of the temporal, the infernal.

Live life in humility, don’t stress the lack of bliss,
place your trust in Jesus, all else is lacking, and frankly quite amiss,

And though we are earthly bound, and heaven seems far away,
Keep your eyes turned on Jesus, in his service with a smile. Don’t deviate from his purpose, don’t let your determination sway.

We can't see beyond to the answer with the problem right there in our face,
Look away to the answer, and let trust in God be your base.

Can you live life his way, not your own that's the test,
It's hard to give up control when the urge to snatch it back seems to pester and fest,
But if we are faithful, leave control in his hands, one day we'll look back to see our life at it's best.

With the view from down here it's impossible to see all that's there in our path,
From his view from on high in eternity he sees the road we travel from beginning to end,
And those determined to be a hindrance to his guiding hand will find it impossible to avoid his wrath.

Yes I'll forever live in Jesus and for him, the King eternal,
Not just a physical life passed to me from mother, the maternal,
But born anew through the Spirit of God with submission and trust in Jesus my King,
For a life that's peacefully abundantly fulfilling with Jesus forever to those external flowing from His Spirit within, a love that's internal.

God's Renovation Project

While I consider the expanse and the fine detail of your creation
I can’t help but be in awe of the honor of your gracious invitation.
Yes I accept your gracious offer, and am truly amazed as I stand here on the threshold viewing the splendor of your yet unfinished but awesome renovation.

It starts in our heart, his wonder to unfold,
And will end with all creation a beauty to behold.

Out with the old and in with the new, an amazing renovation that can not be bought.
It’s better than imagined, beyond all expectation, this heavenly renovation is more than we sought.

The old? Murky muddy waters were swamping me with misuse and distrust,
Dirty desires and abuse were up there with the feeling of loneliness and like I would bust,

Feeling despised and even hated, and a sense of despair and regret,
Being cold and alone in the darkness of my sin and my guilt a thing I’d like to forget,

it is my complete undoing and has me at the end of my rope,
yes there’s a thought.., but ending my life would destroy all hope.

But wait, there’s more…

He’s offered the new and it’s free of charge except for the release of all that goes with the old.
The decision should be easy, no need to be bold, Just open your heart and release your hold.

It sounded so good I was free to admit,
But when it came time to release my hold it was hard to commit.

I’ll just do the work myself, and without a design,
Let’s start with this shelf that’s dirty, and out of align.

God’s handiwork is good and I like his design,
But he takes too long and my work will look just fine.

But when I looked at the vastness of the project at hand,
My work was cut out from the leaky roof to the foundation of sand,

The walls were unstable, the floorboards loose and unsteady,
The doors and windows were broken, so I throw up my hands in surrender already.

Lord I’ve tried this and failed, I can’t pass the test.
So I give you my heart and all of the rest.

So make me anew I said with decision,
And rip out the old at your own discretion.

So I gave him free reign of this huge renovation
I might even lend a hand in joy and jubilation.

God said with a smile as he turned to me,
“How about this closet, will you give me the key?”

With a loving heart that could melt me, and his hand on my shoulder,
He said still smiling, “the weight of all this is that of a bolder.”

He said, “I’ve shown you just a little of what I can do,
But the choice isn’t mine, it’s all up to you.”

His love was melting me like a figurine made of wax,
And without all that weight I began to relax.

“Please don’t get too comfortable.” he said again with a smile,
“There’s work yet to be done can you go the mile?”

by Jim Wilday.

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Dusty Jar of Clay

(Prayer for Renewal and Worth)

In all these things renew your way,

in all that I do from day to day…

As I look to the heavens, may I see your design,

May I give you the praise, and all glory be Thine.

When I lift up Thy name, in prayer and in praise,

Please grant me Thy wisdom in each word and phrase.

As I read Thy word from day to day,

Please guide my path that in thee I may stay.

As I speak of your faithfulness, May I be bold and not mumble.
Yet as I bow in the presence thy majesty may I always be humble.

Jesus, you’re king of the Jews by all rights, a heavenly king in the throne room of God,
I set my troubles and temptations before you, under your feet to be trod.

May I cast my every worry at your feet and not give them a thought,
For by your blood spilled at Calvary every one of them was bought.

As I go through each day, may I live it your way,
And to others be a witness, not lead them astray.

As I live from this day forth for the God of old,
May I bring someone with me into thy fold.

As it was with Adam on the eve of creation
May I trust in you without resignation.

You are my rock, in You I belong,
Strengthen my faith that I may stand strong.

Though my life be shaken to its very foundation,
May I trust in you, not just your creation.

May you be well pleased when I’ve passed the test,
And from this life I have at last come to rest.

And as I pass through the earths sullen haze,
May I fully trust in your proven ways.

Your will in all things, but may it be thus,
That my life be lived, to the glory of Jesus.

Whether I'm in the midst of the city or out in the jungle,
May I be so much more to others than a mixed up jumble.

I don’t know how you can do it Lord, it just blows me away,
That you can make anything useful of this dusty jar of clay.

by Jim Wilday

Dusty jar of Clay

May my present life in this earthen vessel be ever available to God through the redemptive power of the precious blood of Jesus his Son and through the guiding hand of his Holy Spirit, be always available to him for the grafting of new life to be transplanted from pot to pot into the lives of others day after glorious day.

Take this dusty pot and clean it up, make it shine for thee.