Triumph Over Trouble

Okay trouble, I can see you're headed my way,
I'll be needing some help to shorten your stay.
You have come by a number of times before,
finding an unwelcome sign posted on my door,
You are tough to recognize with so many faces,
lurking everywhere, even in church of all places.

You can pack a punch, knocking me off my feet,
if not avoided, I can find myself on the hot seat.
Sometimes coming from an unexpected source,
then not leaving until I have felt your full force.
With my brain asleep, costly mistakes are made,
causing any solution to my problem be delayed.

Troubles depress, yet bring things we don't see,
if not for them, how close to God would we be?
For often times He is called upon to bail us out,
perhaps making this relationship, firm and stout.
Then knowing where to go before trouble arrives,
gives greater trust in God with peace in our lives.

So whenever trouble comes and no doubt it will,
I say this, do not seek help in a bottle or in a pill.
For they are helpless. only causing them to grow,
then continue to follow on wherever you will go.
Keep faith growing in God, He'll keep you strong,
saying, get behind me Satan as one comes along.

Know Assuredly 

When the way before gets rocky

and the pathway hurts your feet
know assuredly my darling
this is where we need to meet

When there are no words to comfort
all the tangled things we feel
know assuredly my darling
that our love is no less real

When we wade it through together
midst the trial or the song
know assuredly my darling
God will lead us both along

When its hard to speak the problem 
or in love communicate
know assuredly my darling
that there is no time "too late"

When this season passes over
and the flowers bloom again
know assuredly my darling
that I've loved you just the same

Anchored In Hope

A life anchored in hope,
is one worth living
it brings about faith
praise and thanksgiving.

It’s a life full of trust,
in God for all things
it’s a life secure
under His faithful wings.

A life anchored in Jesus,
is one that is bound
it lives not in fear
for its mind is sound.

It’s a life with meaning,
purpose and direction
it’s a life striving
for godly perfection.

A life anchored in hope,
is one that’s submitted
its heart to Jesus . . .
is fully committed!

Hebrews 6:19

“Which hope we have as an
anchor of the soul,
both sure and stedfast,
and which entereth into
that within the veil;”

King James Version
Public Domain

The Filthy Man

I was the only usher here
inside our little church.
The sermon was just starting and
for truth, we'd always search.

Now everything was normal there
right up to and until,
the door creaked slowly open and
we all grew very still.

In pastor's long mid-sentence, the
strange silence first began,
for standing in the doorway was
a poor and filthy man.

Appeared, he did, atrocious there
and homeless quite awhile,
with clothes severely tattered, but
I staged a phony smile.

Now everyone had noticed him -
and not just quite a few.
so ushered him, I quickly to,
the end of nearest pew.

As if there were a final drop
of coffee in each cup,
all heads were tipped a-way, way back
with noses sticking up.

Now pride was quite a problem back
since Adam and since Eve
and even today's Christians who
may claim that they believe.

Continued then, the pastor did
and when was said and done,
we wanted to leave quickly but
the nervousness begun.

It happened, as you may have guessed,
the filthy man had stood.
He then walked down the empty aisle.
It didn't look too good.

Each member there stood silent and
embarrassed, froze, aghast -
for all eyes were upon him as
the filthy man walked past.

Not knowing what to expect next
with pastor silent too,
all time came to a stand still as
he walked past ev'ry pew.

Right to the front of church he walked
when there he seemed to freeze.
A moment later just collapsed...
right down on dirty knees.

The congregation was so stunned
as he confessed it all.
His prayer was for repentance and
to God we heard him call.

Now no one spoke and no one moved
until a small girl came -
and knelt down right beside him there.
Then all was not the same.

An old man also quickly came
and asked forgiveness too.
And even I came to the front
with others just like you.

Now maybe love had tugged our hearts,
or it was by design -
but seen, a single dry eye? No,
and those included mine.

It wasn't long before we all -
the children, women, men -
all us who held our noses high,
became humbled again.

It took a poor and filthy man
to open up our eyes
and wash our filthy hearts again
with humble, humble cries.

The Truth That Saves

So many people waste their lives on empty dreams and treasure,
They’re only living for selfish ways and what gives them pleasure,

So many people are trapped by sin and live under God’s wrath,
They live without hope or God’s love and are blind to the right path,

But when all seemed helpless, Christ came and paid the ultimate cost,
He died and rose back from the dead to give new life to the lost,

Now God wants this truth to be heard by all people far and wide,
The truth that they can be saved from sin and in Christ justified,

Yet this mission is too big for us to achieve on our own,
But with God we have the help we need, we are never alone, 

So pray that God would send the workers to speak out his good news,
And know that as part of God’s saving plan it is us he’ll use,

God will help us to shine as bright lights in a world dark and blind,
Our lives will point to the truth that can change sinful hearts and minds, 

His Spirit will be our strength and give us the right words to say,
As we seek to share the hope of Jesus to others each day,

So that as people learn about and receive Jesus through faith,
They too would find new life and rest in God’s love, secure and safe.

The Struggle To Find The Purpose Of Life

Struggling in the desert of life wondering why
the way was so barren and my throat was so dry.
The bright sun was beating down with heat so intense
and I was wondering why my life made no sense.

Stuck in the wasteland and trapped in that lonely place
I felt lost and alone there in the human race
'What is my poor life all about? ' I said to myself,
'Is it just having sex or gathering great wealth? '

I was wrestling with guilt and needed to repent
for these questions came from a man deep in torment.
My soul thirsting for forgiveness cried out in pain
'It's me Lord and I've come to Your cross once again.'

As I looked up to Jesus with tears on my face 
'Lord, save me, ' I cried kneeling at that holy place.
Then into my wilderness the Lord Jesus came
and He washed me and cleansed me from my guilt and shame

Jesus had reached down to this man deep in the mire
and lifted him up out of that scorching Hell fire.
This poor man had cried and the Lord heard his voice
and gave his life purpose, causing him to rejoice.

Our Hope

Hope paints a lovely picture,
of our future glory
it covers all the details
of God's eternal story.

Its embedded in our hearts,
sits on the horizon of our minds
it understands the will of God
His plans and His designs.

Hope is not something vague,
or a wish that you make
it's knowing that you're saved
from hell's flaming lake.

Hope is our confidence,
our faithful expression
it leaves on our souls
a lasting impression.

So just close your eyes,
and use your imagination
let your hope in Jesus bring
a glorious transformation!

Ephesians 1:18
King James Version

"The eyes of your understanding being 
enlightened; hat ye may know what is the 
hope of his calling,and what the riches 
of the glory of his inheritance in the 
saints,"