DEFEATING DOUBTS SENT BY SATAN

Look for Christ’s promises

in His Word

Write them in script

etch them in your memory

Retrieve these gems when you’re assailed

for persecution will come here

Stand firm in the Truth

the Bible reflects

When darkness surrounds you

and doubts flood your mind

let His promises reign

over Satan’s lies

Trust that Christ’s work

in the heavenly sanctuary

has rid you of blame

for all your sins

For you’ve handed your life

over to your Lord

our Savior, Jesus Christ

the Holy One

 

A WAY THROUGH THE DARKNESS

 

An unusual and dark time in history has descended upon the world. Unusual, because it heralds the soon Second Coming of Christ.  Dark, in that the environment is such, that the truth leading to salvation will elude most people.

Most preachers no longer hold or spread the Bible truths essential for salvation.  And many people no longer want to hear Biblical truth that requires changes in their lifestyle or beliefs.  The Bible says, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers, and they will turn their ears from the truth and be turned aside to fables.”  (2Tim 4: 3,4).

Jesus expects us to reach out to others, as He would do, sharing His love for all.  Truth is found in Jesus’ teachings as well as all Scripture, but not in man made doctrines that appear to be sound, but have no parallel teaching in Scripture.

We need to draw close to Jesus and develop a relationship with Him.  Our study of the Bible will sustain us in these dark days and prepare us for coming persecution.

Our reflecting the light of Jesus will do well to draw others close to us.  Ultimately we must direct them to our loving Savior, where salvation is found.

My novel, “The Casting of Crowns”, is a good read that alerts the reader to truths that point to Jesus Christ’s exclusive ability to save us to everlasting life.  Follow the protagonist, Carissa, as she finds herself in the midst of the great controversy between God and Satan in the End Times.  Can she maintain her loyalty to Christ or will she yield to worldly ways surrounding her?  Will the God she loves save her?  What about her  boyfriend whom she deeply loves?  Why does he resist conversion?

Purchase “The Casting of Crowns” on Amazon, on any online bookseller, or ask them to order it at your favorite bookstore.  It is available in both paperback and e-book.

Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version Bible.

Betsy O. Borchardt

THE LAST DAYS

                      

The hour is upon us

The evil one lurks

seeking to cement all human beings

into people of conformity

Seldom questioning religious authority

bound to blind obedience

It never did occur to them

to seek Truth that saves

Deceived and engulfed by Satan’s cause

without being aware of their peril

Gravitating toward worldly pleasure

puffed up with deadly pride

viewing some sins as innocuous

Lost in a sea of immorality

Wise in their own eyes

who would rather not bother

leaning on Christ

but turn to idolizing self

looking for answers

in their own flawed wisdom

Some acknowledging themselves as gods

 

Turn, turn away from Satan

who has your eternal destruction in mind

Turn toward Truth, not conformity

Read the Scriptures

which testify of Jesus

Look up and focus on the Lord

Jesus Christ, the Holy One

Our only Mediator

Who longs to help us in our weakness

The Holy Spirit will spark in you

courage to change

and strength to resolve

to live for Jesus Christ alone

He’s the One who’s most worthy of praise

for He has redeemed us

Soon He will invite us

into His Heavenly Kingdom

Hold fast to His Word

 

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