WE HONOR THEM

Those who served

and paid the price,

valued our freedom

above their lives.

Fighting for country

was more than loyalty.

Love reigned in the hearts

of these men and women,

who put their lives

where there is no surety

of coming back alive.

Strong to defend,

Quickly they mobilize

against all threats

that want to destroy

our nation of freedoms.

We honor their sacrifice

and lift them up

before God,

these brave, noble soldiers

this Memorial Day.

Amen.

 

 

 

I WILL CLING TO YOU

When the world around me

is falling apart

I will cling to You

When my inner self

is shaken, dejected,

and I’m hardly able to stand

I will cling to You

When giving up seems attractive

I recall your Word

and claim your promise:

“I can do all things

through Christ

Who strengthens me”

(Phil 4:13).

I am lifted up

willing and able to live for You

My mind focused on wellness

I praise Your holy name

Knowing we’ll endure hardship,

doubt and persecution

near the time of Your coming

I’m comforted and strengthened

by Your presence

For I’ve learned to cling to You

 

           —Scripture quotation from NKJV Bible.

OUR SAVIOR LIVES

God could have abandoned us

Left us to die in our sins  

Instead He sent Jesus

our precious Savior

Who volunteered to die

in our place

for we are sinners to the core

He could have abandoned us

in Gethsemane

But His love for us

is unsurpassed

He died a cruel death

on the Cross

He would not let us

die in our sins

But woos us to the Cross

where we are convicted of the evilness

 of our sins

and of the power

of sin

to separate us from God

He leads us to repentance

then offers us forgiveness

in His mercy and grace

 

We worship a living Savior

God raised Him from the dead

Of this we are certain

Remember Thomas, who doubted

Then Jesus asked him

to put His hand in Jesus’ side

and look upon the holes in Jesus’ hands

The apostle became a missionary for Jesus

as did countless followers of Christ

Now, knowing Jesus is the Messiah

we, too, are asked to be missionaries

to spread the Good News

of what Jesus has done

to save us

Let us invite the Holy Spirit

to guide us in all things

Knowing that our loyalty to God

will be tested

before Christ Jesus comes again

 

STANDING WITH THE KING OF GLORY

Oh hopeless sight

Under cold, gray sky

dead and decaying

knarled tree branches reach heaven-ward

Heaven’s gate reflects light

Many will attempt to enter

naked and knarled

without robes of white linen

These souls were misinformed

God’s home is shut to sinners

Who can enter?

One leaning not

on one’s own understanding

but on Jesus

He is wise; we are

foolish in our own

reasoning

Rest on His leading

Show Him you love Him—

Obey the Ten Commandments

Claim His sacrifice on Calvary

Repent and seek after holiness

not the world’s pleasures

Prepare to stand

 in God’s presence

The gate to heaven

will open only for those

who follow Jesus Christ

and who know Him intimately

One can approach the throne

of God, with other

humble saints

clothed in His robe of righteousness

prepared for a permanent stay

with Him

the King of Glory

UNFAILING POWER

                           

Who comes to steal

Your victor’s crown

So close to the day

Of salvation

A rebel from eons ago

Rejected God’s rule

An angel of darkness

Was cast to the earth

Not wanting to worship Jesus

Lucifer set his course of pride

He would not disavow his belief

For Lucifer deemed himself

More worthy of worship

He didn’t accept

God’s laws of love

Dared to promote

Rebellion, Selfishness, and Sin

Satan, this Lucifer

Brought angels to earth

The ones he deceived

Forming his league

He battles against

People who seem weak

Discouraged ones

Who let go of Jesus’ hand

Satan brilliantly battles

To tear us all

Away from God

Even His elect

When Satan calls

Don’t argue, you’ll lose

Cast him away

Using the Word of God

Call to Jesus

He’s here beside you

Take His hand

His strength is yours

Abide in Him

Your loving Savior

King of kings

His strength will conquer

 

 

 

 

 

A CHRISTMAS DEDICATION

Who’s your all-in-all?

The one you go to

for advice, or comfort

The one you love most

There is One other — He created you

He’ll never stop loving you

He bids you come to Him

celebrate the wonder of His birth

this Christmas

Kneel before Jesus Christ

yet a Babe

fully human, fully divine

sent on a mission to save

His whole life, a love song

dedicated to you

Connect with Him

more than the usual moment

each day

He longs to bless you

and keep you safe

Pledge your life to Him

in return

Carry on in holiness

Receive the Christ Child

into your heart

still riddled with hurt

Allow Christ’s love

to heal your heart

changing your life

Get to know Him well

and never let go

of that relationship with Him

The One who’s become

your All-in-All

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE LIVING WORD

Who can regard the day

A failure

A treasure never exhausted

Suddenly raided

And torn

Strewn portside in the Gulf

Fragments of books

Settling atop watery graves

Of soldier/sailors

While waves chop at our vessel

A wicked wind whirls

A warring nation led by Satan

Dares attack God’s people

Blinding light appears

As glorious angels slay sinners

God’s people protected

Blessed

For we believe His Word, the Bible

We cling to His promises within

His mercy and faithfulness

Never exhausted

 

SALVATION IN JESUS CHRIST

Dark, dreary days embrace us

Cradled by demons

Advocating for our destruction

False doctrines deceive many

Who think they know the Lord

But feed not on His Word, the Bible

An apostate system

Tainted by doctrines of men

Demands our favor

An apostate system

Instructs us to earn our salvation

No!

Jesus Christ won our salvation

His life without sin

A lamb without blemish

His death on the Cross

The perfect sacrifice

He suffered and died in our place

To pay the price exacted

By the Godhead

Because sin is heinous

Christ’s resurrection

A sureness of our resurrection to life

Yes, Jesus Christ enables our salvation

Embrace Him fully

That when He calls His sheep

You will know the Shepherd’s voice

And follow

 

 

 

WHO KNOWS THE TIME

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Wars rage

Famines scourge the land

Leaving suffering, dying infants

Our world seems

Weakened by Satan’s plans

To destroy all innocent babes

Preying on the unprotected

 

He points to God

As the source of suffering

The originator of a failed government

He claims

 

It’s time to stand up for God

Reckon who’s right or wrong

Ignore the one who

Accuses the saints

Day and night

Walk with Jesus

Secure in knowing

He’s in charge

 

The time will come

Unknown to all

He’ll step out of heaven

Destined for earth

Accompanied by His holy angels

With His reward in hand

He calls His faithful home

The dead in Christ will rise first

Meeting Him in the air

Those who walk with Him

Are drawn up next

Destination heaven

Where no suffering

Illness nor death occur

And God will wipe all tears

From the eyes

Of those who suffered

 

We know not the time

But know it is near

For all the signs scream

Christ’s coming is soon

Even at the door

Prepare for the Lord

Humbly giving Him reign

He wants to take you home

NO OTHER SAVIOR

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Draw close

Near to the Cross of Jesus

The Lamb of God

He is our salvation

Our deeds won’t do

To find favor with the Father

Jesus came to save

Our sins deface our beauty

We’re drawn toward sheer cliffs

Where Satan designs our destruction

Lay hold of the Rock–Jesus saves

The Spirit moves

On open hearts

We grasp our sin’s immense evil

Causing a heart change

We are repulsed

By our iniquity

And bow before Jesus

In repentance

Only Jesus’ sacrifice

Turns crimson sin

To pure white robes

Our iniquity cleansed

And virtue expanded

We gladly surrender

Our wills to God