Unto the King Eternal: November 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.

Friday, November 25, 2011

Thanks Father God for New Life and Unity in Christ

Thy Name be raised on high this day,
In the presence of thy majesty, we bow and pray…

In Thee oh Lord our hearts unite,
In one accord to win the fight,
Against each heart’s own scar and blight,

You have unveiled sin’s disguise,
And opened up our sinful eyes.

We look to you on high oh Lord,
Toward our great undeserved reward.

You are our God, our Father and Friend,
In you new wonders have no end.

No boundary to block Your praise from our heart,
Your Spirit flows forth to give life a new start.

In the Father, the Spirit and Son,
Our broken hearts have been made one.

One with the Father, and one with the Son,
One with the children of God, our heart he’s won.

Our unity in Christ is a wonderful part,
Of which this life is only a start.

Each new day brings promise anew,
Of God’s paradise restored in you.

When darkness flees to find its cover,
Many new wonders we are soon to discover.

Yes each new day so sunny and bright,
Reminds of His glory His power and might.

And even dark clouds rolling in with thunder
Remind of his wrath toward those who with evil hearts do plunder

If we put feet to our faith through the rest of our life,
God will grant us peace and an end to our strife.

Praise be to the Father and to the Son,
And praise to the Spirit who unites us as one.

His breath of life is fresh to our core.
Pour out your Spirit Lord, new life to restore,

Yes, pour out your Spirit Lord, please fill us more.
More of your wisdom, more of your grace,
More of your loving Holy Spirits embrace.

Blessed be the Lord God Almighty, how awesome is Thy story.
Let people everywhere on bended knee proclaim Thy wondrous glory.

by Jim Wilday.

Please know that I don’t mean to make it sound as though the Christian life is all fun and games. It’s not. We still live in a world contaminated by sin. And since we do, we need to remember that though we have victory in Christ through the cross, there is still a battle of wills being fought. As Paul puts it in Ephesians 6:11 & 12: Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. And in 1 Peter 5:8-9: Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

But as we stand firm in the spirit through humble worship of God our father in prayer and praises in song verbally lifted to him on high, and through a careful and diligent study of Gods word bringing faith to our hearts, and with it the power to remain obedient to Gods individual calling, and with obedience through faith we will receive in our joyful heart a little bit of heaven on earth.

Stand firm my brothers and sisters and know assuredly that one day our work and struggles will be done and we will find ourselves in the glorious presence of God our Father as joint heirs with Christ.

Go in his peace and the grace of God through Jesus, the Christ, our Lord
Jim