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Psalm 145 – Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise!

Feb 13th, 2012 by

Psalm 145 – Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise

I will extol you, my God and king; I will bless your name forever. Every day I will bless you; I will praise

Your name forever, Great is the LORD and worthy of high praise; God’s grandeur is beyond understanding.

Worthy is the LORD of our praise, yet we lose sight of him and his grace in the midst of busy hectic days

He calls upon us to seek him, to come into his courts with thanksgiving, of him be not uncomprehending

For it is as we turn to him and look upon his face, that the things that surround can fade and us not faze

Come before the LORD with singing, come into his presence and as you do, you’ll see his love is unending

Come bless the LORD all you servants of the LORD, he is worthy of your praise, not just on Sundays

Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise, for his love, power and his grandeur is beyond understanding

 

One generation praises your deeds to the next and proclaims your mighty works. They speak of the splendour

Of your majestic glory, tell of your wonderful deeds. They speak of your fearsome power and attest to your great deeds.

The testimony of your people is to give honour to you, to exhort others to seek you, and to you praise render

For it is as we speak of your acts and focus upon what you have done in our lives, in others of you we plant seeds

For you take as we are, in unpolished, flawed states, you shape us, you are our father, your love for us tender

Great are you LORD, yet you sent your son that we might have life in its abundance, we attest to your great deeds

 

They publish the renown of your abounding goodness and joyfully sing of your justice. The LORD is gracious

And merciful, slow to anger and abounding in love, the LORD is good to all, compassionate to every creature.

You see the brokenness of your people; you see their needs, your grace so wide it is overwhelming, capacious

Do we stop to recognise just how wide, how deep, how great your love is for us; in our lives does it feature?

Nothing can separate us from his love, yet we take it for granted, we fall, we err, yet still to us he is gracious

His steadfast love never ceases, his mercy without end, sing of him, he is compassionate to every creature

 

All your works give you thanks; O LORD and your faithful bless you. They speak of the glory of your reign

And tell of your great works, Making known to all your power, the glorious splendour of your rule.

Do we live before our LORD with thankful hearts, or like the Israelites grumble and groan and God disown?

Do we act as if we are blessed, saved, redeemed for a purpose, or are we towards God cool?

We have times when we feel as though in a desert, lost, blinded, unaware of his leading and concern

Yet he carries us, leads us toward his oasis, all creation reflects the glorious splendour of your rule

 

Your reign is a reign for all ages, your dominion for all generations. The LORD is trustworthy in every word,

And faithful in every work, The LORD supports all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.

Our steps are ordered by him, he delights in his way, he upholds those who fall, have you not seen or heard

There is no searching of his understanding, he never tires or wearies, unlike us who are battered, windblown

If we are prepared to acknowledge our frailties, come before him, repentant, open, admitting we have erred

He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, supportive of us, and able to raise up all who are bowed down

 

The eyes of all look hopefully to you; you give them their food in due season. You open wide your hand and satisfy the desire

Of every living thing, You, LORD, are just in all your ways, faithful in all your works. You, LORD, are near to all who call upon you

Who seek your face, who are prepared to come to you in openness and seek the working of your Spirit, of you seek and enquire

As we draw near to you, you will draw near to us and will justly and faithfully bring change in our lives as we keep you in view

You call upon your people to hunger and thirst for that which you have to give, to seek wisdom as for gold, to your will desire

Come to me my people, you call for I freely give to you that which is life giving, You, LORD, are near to all who call upon you

 

To all who call upon you in truth, You satisfy the desire of those who fear you; you hear their cry and save them. You, LORD, Watch over all who love you, but all the wicked you destroy. My mouth will speak your praises, LORD; all flesh will bless your holy name forever. 

You are jealous for your people and desire that they walk in your ways, you the good shepherd protect & guide with your word

You will not allow your people to slip, to lose their footing; you uphold them with your righteous right hand and leave them never 

You are the one, the only one who can meet all their needs, if they humble themselves before you, they by you will be heard

You alone are worthy of their praise, Great are you most worthy of their praise, all flesh will bless your holy name forever

Worthy, O worthy are you Lord, I will bless your name forever. Every day I will bless you for you are holy, gracious, my LORD

 

Mark Maffey, August 2007

New American Bible

 

 

Posted in POEMS, Poems - Psalms | No Comments »

2 Corinthians 4 vs. 7-9 – We Have This Treasure in Earthen Vessels

Oct 31st, 2011 by

Redundant:

Adjective:

1. No Longer needed or useful; superfluous

In recent days I have been made redundant and as the definition above relates the feelings of no longer being needed, of use are hard to deal with, when I know in my heart of hearts I had much more to offer my employer. Some days are good and some days not so good. But this I know, my God is bigger than my situation, and the more I turn toward him, the more he will guide and show me his ways. Trust and Obey there is no other way to be happy in Jesus than to trust and obey

 

2 Corinthians 4 vs. 7-9  – We Have This Treasure in Earthen Vessels

 

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels

That the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us

At times we struggle with life, with its ups and downs we wrestle

We get wrapped up in the stress of every day life, over it we fuss

In the midst of this we need to turn to Jesus and in him nestle

It’s not for us to do things in our own strength, to God second guess

We need to allow God to shape us, to us be the mortar, him the pestle

Open so God may mold and shape us, our lives be in God and not of us

 

We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed, we are perplexed

But not in despair, persecuted but not forsaken, struck down but not
destroyed

For in these things God can build our character, of this I am convinced

That as we open ourselves to him, his Spirit in our lives can be
employed

Seek first his Kingdom and his righteousness, of his love he will us
remind

For he to us gives good gifts, and a spirit of power, love, and a sound
mind.

 

 

Mark Maffey, August 2007 ©

(NKJV)

http://maffster.blogtown.co.nz/

 

 

 

Posted in POEMS, Poems New Testament | No Comments »

Matthew 9 vs. 35-38 – Jesus Has Compassion on the Crowd

Oct 11th, 2011 by

One of the key things we see through the Gospels is that people were hungry for truth, needed to have answers in the midst of their circumstances. Life in  rural Palestine was difficult, taxed both by their own religious authorities, and the Roman Authorities, bound by religious and Roman law. Jesus’s compassion on this crowd and his urgent call for workers in the harvest needs to resound to us today.

 

Matthew 9 vs. 35-38 – Jesus Has Compassion on the Crowd

 

 

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues,

Preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness 

His teaching and preaching, accompanied by signs and wonders had the crowds agog                         

The good news of the kingdom shown by his healing of every disease and sickness        

He was prepared to go to all places big and small and spoke in their synagogues

The Pharisees were threatened by his authority and to him had spiritual blindness             

Cocooned by their interpretation of the laws and traditions they in their eyes had logs

Are we indifferent to his kingdom and his power to heal every disease and sickness?

 

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them,

Because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd 

Do we see the crowds today and have compassion on them? 

Do we need to cry out to him, give us your heart, your eyes to see the need?

A people lost, harassed, helpless without the Spirit in them

Unaware of the need to be in the flock, to be sheep who know the good shepherd

 

 

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  

Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

The time is coming and now is to stand on his word, and not just sit in a pew

To call out to God empower us to be your harvesters, to you we will come and yield

Our plans, our thoughts, for yours are much higher, greater, let us have your view

For you see the crowds, lost, helpless, harassed, past their veneers all is revealed

To your Spirit, you know all this is about them, may we have your insight and view

We are your sheep, may we hear your voice, step out and reach your harvest field

 

Mark Maffey, November 2008©

 

(NIV)

 

http://maffster.blogtown.co.nz/

Posted in POEMS, Poems New Testament | No Comments »

1 Kings 19 vs. 9-13 – Elijah In the Cave

Sep 30th, 2011 by

Sometimes when we get difficult news the first thing we want to run away and withdraw and have a pity party. I Can understand how Elijah felt when he heard Jezebel wanted his head. This passage shows his humanness and his frailities. There’s no one left, I am going to die. It’s important when we are in a place like this to bring to remembrance God’s faithfulness and what he has done over our lives

1 Kings 19 vs. 9-13 – Elijah In the Cave

Then he came there to a cave and lodged there; and behold, the word of the LORD came to him,

And He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He said, “I have been very zealous for the LORD,

Elijah had destroyed the prophets of Baal and then fleeing Jezebel’s wrath, Elijah was all in

Tired, dejected after 40 days he came to the cave, ready to cave in, then a question the LORD had a word

Elijah had done what the LORD had told him to do, he had been zealous, over Baal had a win

Yet he was under threat, his life was at risk Jezebel wanted him dead, he was really being put to the sword

Elijah came to a cave, damp, dank, and dark, weather beaten, uncertain, hungry and thin

The word of the Lord came “What are you doing here, Elijah, He said, “I have been very zealous for the LORD,

 

 

The God of hosts; for the sons ofIsraelhave forsaken your covenant, torn down your altars

And killed your prophets with the sword and I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

Elijah had lost focus, lost sight of God’s power, his faith receding, his trust in God did falter

He saw what he wanted to see, tears obscuring that which God desired wanted him to do and say

Despondent, afraid, what can I do in the midst of my enemies, what can I do to them alter?

For they are going to kill me, I’m the only prophet left, and they seek my life, to take it away

 

“So He said,” Go forth and stand on the mountain before the LORD” And behold, the LORD

Was passing by! And a great and strong wind was rending the mountains and breaking in pieces the rocks

The LORD sees all our needs, understands our fears, he is worthy of our trust, he keeps his word

Sometimes we expect God to do things in certain ways; we look for the big things that will blow our socks

We expect big things; we want to see signs and wonders, yet no eye has seen nor ear heard

No mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him, despite us, opportunity knocks

To do that which he has appointed us to do, whether it be what we imagine or not, it is to be obeyed

For God does not always reveal himself in winds which rend mountains and break into pieces the rocks

 

 

Before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD

Was not in the earthquake.  After the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire;

We look for a sign, it’s not a big arch with a “M”, yet how often do we stop texting and read the word?

My word is a lamp unto your feet, a light unto your path, yet how much do you it desire?

It is life giving, will you sit, will you read, will you consider, listen and then act on what you’ve heard?

Don’t expect me to shake you or light a fire underneath you, often I am not in the fire

 

 

And after the fire a sound of a gentle blowing. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out

And stood in the entrance of the cave and behold, a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

What are you doing here? Have you heard God whisper, heard him call, or are you too busy to be still, is God about?

God is always there, like the father waiting for the prodigal to come back to him, God knows and is beside you

 

Mark Maffey, December 2007 ©

 

(NASB)

 

http://maffster.blogtown.co.nz/

 

 

Posted in POEMS, Poems Old Testament | No Comments »

Judges 7 vs. 2-8 – Gideon’s 300 Warriors

Sep 19th, 2011 by

One of the things coming out of the Rugby World Cup is the performance of the minnows. They are punching above their weight, and this is largely because they have been building up their skills and getting some more regular competition. The input of overseas coaches, especially NZ’ers who are providing the skill sets is undoubtedly helping their cause.

Sometimes we can feel overwhelmed by the strength of the opposition we face, we can feel like it is unwinnable, but we have a God who can overcome any opposition. The journey of faith is a lot about learning to trust this is the case. Gideon had much reason to doubt that God could through him do amazing things.  But he trusted God and with 300 warriors was able to overcome the odds.

How much do we trust God?

Judges 7 vs. 2-8  –  Gideon’s 300 Warriors

 

The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many warriors with you. If I let all of you fight

The Midianites, the Israelites will boast to me that they saved themselves by their own strength.

And that is not what I want; I want them to return to me, not to place me out of their sight

To think that they can be disobedient and not face consequences, from sin they need to relent

For I am Sovereign LORD, not to be disdained, ignored, they must learn to do what is right

Their boast should not be in what they can do or accomplish, rather to trust in me and be content

To look to me and not to man made idols which never listen or speak, blind without sight

For I alone am their LORD and their redeemer they cannot save themselves by their own strength

 

Therefore, tell the people, ‘Whoever is timid or afraid may leave this mountainand go home.’” So 22,000

Of them went home, leaving only 10,000 who were willing to fight. But the Lord told Gideon, “There are still too many!

The LORD knew that there would be those in the group who weren’t cut out to fight, not hand to hand

And Gideon followed his instruction and told the timid or afraid to go home; even those who were left were too many

For the Lord’s purposes, often we can be oblivious to his purposes, we of his plans don’t understand

What we think his thoughts and plans are often wide of the mark, we need to seek his wisdom, of which he has plenty

 

 Bring them down to the spring, and I will test them to determine who will go with you and who will not.

” When Gideon took his warriors down to the water, the Lord told him, “Divide the men into two groups.

The way God works is often outside what we expect, he tests us in simple ways, to see what we have got

At times we can feel as though as we journey that we seem to be going round the mountain with lots of loops

That we’re not making progress, we seem to be re-doing the same stuff, like tying ourselves in a knot

In all this God is endeavouring to build our character, perseverance, even if we feel we’re running through hoops

 

In one group put all those who cup water in their hands and lap it up with their tongues like dogs.

In the other group put all those who kneel down and drink with their mouths in the stream.”

There are times when we need to do things urgently because there is risk that we’ll be hit by logs

When we need to do things quickly, having said this it’s not always good to go at full steam

Sometimes we can be so enthusiastic that we rush into things without considering we may be hogs

Slurping without considering how it looks or taking time to hear God instead going full steam

God desires that we do things with reverence showing others we are his children not dogs

God sees our actions, notes how we interact and show our faith, even mouths in a stream.

 

 Only 300 of the men drank from their hands. All the others got down on their knees and drank

With their mouths in the stream, the Lord told Gideon, “With these 300 men I will rescue you

In the circumstances Gideon faced he needed alert, strong warriors who were of highest rank

Able to react quickly to circumstances, to take orders and comprehend what God had in view

Numbers aren’t always important, quality over quantity can prevail, a small group can crank

Start and move more quickly, do things more stealthily; with these 300 men I will rescue you

 

 

And give you victory over the Midianites. Send all the others home.” So Gideon collected the provisions

And rams’ horns of the other warriors and sent them home. But he kept the 300 men with him.

An army is only as good as its supplies and logistics management, Gideon had to follow God’s vision

Gideon could group them together more easily than 32,000 and show them this wasn’t a whim

Sometimes we get excited by being in a big group, but can get lost in the crowd, and lose vision

We need to trust in God, to listen to his voice, follow his plan, as we do we’ll go forward with him

 

 

Mark Maffey, January 2008 ©

(NLT )

 

http://maffster.blogtown.co.nz/

 

Posted in POEMS, Poems Old Testament | No Comments »

Philippians 3 vs. 12-14 – Pressing On Toward The Goal

Sep 7th, 2011 by

Hi

The Rugby World Cup has descended upon New Zealand. Last night travelling on the bus home, we saw thousands of Tongan Rugby Fans arriving at Western Springs not too watch a game, but just a practice for the Tongan Rugby Team. Paul uses the metaphor of being in a race on at least two occasions I can think of, in this Passage we see him prepared to be forward looking, pressing on toward the goal, focussed on the prize, forgetting what is behind. Hopefully the All Blacks will be doing the same, forget ’91,’95,’99,’03,’07 press onto the goal of winning in 2011!

Having said this I wonder if we display as much passion for our Journey with God as we do for watching, for desiring for our team to win the World Cup? This meditation may aid some reflection on what next in your spiritual journey.

Philippians 3 vs. 12-14 – Pressing On Toward The Goal

 Not that I have already attained or am already perfected, but I press on

That I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has laid hold for me

I know that I have much to learn, I need to sit at the feet of God’s Son

To comprehend what it is he has laid hold for me, to understand and see

I need to seek the Lord with all I am, and in life make him number one

For he is who I seek, I am not perfect, far from it, I can’t like him sinless be

Yet with his helper the Spirit I can seek to do his will, to in him press on

Looking to Christ seeking his face, holding in to all he has planned for me

 

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended, but one thing I do

Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forward

There is so much more I need to understand, at times life’s a zoo

It becomes so busy, that I lose sight of God time with him goes overboard

I am far from perfect, yet God loves me unconditionally even when I feel blue

He calls me to be one with him, to seek his face, and to move forward

Forgetting those things which are behind, seeking healing, pushing thru

For he knows his plans for me, his voice saying Christian soldier onward!

 

To those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal

Of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus

I desire to march forward in time with him, with all my soul

For I have the hope that one day in heaven I’ll be with Jesus

Until that day I desire to serve and grow in him whatever the role

Nothing the world can offer compares to being one with Jesus

 

Mark Maffey, January 2006©

(NKJV)

http://maffster.blogtown.co.nz/

 

Posted in POEMS, Poems New Testament | No Comments »

Philippians 2 vs. 12-18 – Shining Like Stars

Aug 23rd, 2011 by

Living as Christians in a secular world is a challenge. In order to live out our lives and Shine like stars we need to have a firm understanding of what we believe, of what empowers our faith. Paul in this powerful passage squarely places the responsibility for this not on our pastors, not on evangelists, not on tv preachers or dvds, but firmly on us, indvidually. “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”. God has given us an intellect, God has given us his Spirit to guide and help us, we need to be prepared to Work Out, to nut out, to study and understand God’s Word, we need to have a reverence for God and his word, but often we fall far short. The biggest issue facing the Church in the 21st Century is biblical illiteracy, if people took time to read the whole Bible they would be far better prepared to face the society in which they live. True Worshippers must worship in Spirit and Truth, we need the Holy Spirit in our lives, but we also need to Know the Truth of the Word in order to worship fully.

 

Philippians 2 vs. 12-18 – Shining Like Stars

 

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed not only in my presence,

But now much more in my absence continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,

Keep in the word; seek through the Spirit to gain understanding of it essence

Treat it with reverence and apply it precepts to your life, of its tenets do not be condescending

For God’s word to you is life giving, to both lead you, and give life resonance

His word is sound, reliable, trustworthy, its power and authority in our lives never ending

God’s desire is that we seek first his kingdom, to desire to be in his presence

For in drawing near to him, he will draw near to us and bring change and spirit enabling.

 

For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure,

For we are called to be salt and light, to be beacons of truth and not from it repose

For as we serve and do so as to our God, of the upward call to him we can be sure

For it is not by might, nor by power, but we God’s Spirit we can achieve his purpose

Even though we face the challenges the world present in God we can be clean, and pure

 

Children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe

As you hold out the word of life in order that I may boast on the day of Christ

Like the church at Philippi we face the challenge to be blameless in world from which sin pours

To stand on the promises of God’s word, to be prophetic in our speaking out to put God first

To love the Lord our God with all our strength, mind, heart and souls, and to love our neighbours

We like Paul need to have the desire to push on toward the Goal, to boast on the day of Christ

 

That I did not run or labour for nothing, but even if I am being poured out

Like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith

At times it is a struggle to stand for God, we like we’re blown and tossed about

That all our energy is being is being drained, and we feel far from safe

Remember this God in us over the world prevails, over Satan he has clout

In his word, which does not return void, but prospers we can cling, have faith

 

 I am glad and rejoice with all of you.

 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

This is the day the Lord has made, don’t be blue

The whole earth is his creation, all land and sea

Worship him, keep his promises in full clear view

Seek him while he may be found, in his will be

 

Mark Maffey, July 2007 ©

(NIV)  

 

http://maffster.blogtown.co.nz

Posted in POEMS, Poems New Testament | No Comments »

Romans 5 vs. 1-5 – Faith Brings Joy

Aug 16th, 2011 by

Whilst Paul and James have some differences over faith and works they do agree that the Christian Life although lived in light of Christ’s love is not always easy! Last weeks meditation from James calls upon us to count it all joy when we fall into various trials, because when our faith is tested, endurance has a chance to grow. Paul says”We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.”

Persverance, endurance, character gives us strength, gives us hope, gives a certainty to our faith. Without Faith in God which has been tested we are like”a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind”

In the past two weeks two spiritual giants have gone, John Stott and Raymond Windsor were two men of integrity, whose faith did not waver for they knew what it was to be tested, to be refined, both had a certainty in their faith, both have heard the call and have been welcomed home, good and faithful servants.

 

Romans 5 vs. 1-5  –  Faith Brings Joy

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace

With God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us

Not that we first loved him, but that he first loved us, and died that sin in us could cease

To have control, that in his blood we can be washed clean and thus

We could turn away from the old self, and be prepared to decrease that he might increase

We have to have faith in what has been done, Christ died for us

Not that we go on sinning but by faith repent of that which is sinful and from it cease

We can have peace in with God because of what the Lord has done for us

 

 

Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand,

And we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

God desires for us that we have life in all its abundance, he loves us and all our needs does understand

We can have confidence in his love for us; he does not treat us poorly

We can stand in his presence, enter his courts with praise, yet do we comprehend or fully understand

Or value this gift that we can joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory

 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.

And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.                                        

Faith is not just about being happy clappy, or being on a permanent cloud nine, rather it requires endurance                                                                                   

We are often so unaware of how blessed we are, we eat, we live life, there is no sense of hunger, starvation                                                  

Yet we need to know how to ride through the storms when they come, to let go of our stubborn independence                              

To learn to listen to God calling us in the midst of the storm, to get out of the boat and do it with conviction                               

We need to not see life as a sprint, get caught up in our own needs, but stop, listen and give him precedence                

How can we develop strength of character without facing things, we need to have confident hope of salvation

 

And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us,                                          

Because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.  

At the end of the day it is not about us, rather letting God in, and allowing him to shape us                                        

For he gives us the Holy Spirit to lead us into truth, and to do it with love                                                                                               

And when we have the Holy Spirit in us we can know God’s peace and pray and discuss

With God his plans, what he desires and can hold firm in the knowledge of his love

 

Mark Maffey, September 2008©

(NLT)

http://maffster.blogtown.co.nz/

Posted in POEMS, Poems New Testament | No Comments »

James 1 vs. 2-6 – Faith and Endurance

Aug 8th, 2011 by

Hi All

James is one book which has attracted much discussion in the whole faith vs works theological argument. Luther called it a ” gospel of straw” But it is far more to me, there is much practical advice in this little book. It starts with the reality that was facing First Century Christians, that of trials, of being under severe persecution by Roman authorities.

Counting it all joy when we fall into various trials, is for many oxymoronic, but when one steps back and listens to what James is saying it is  when we undergo difficulty that Character is built, that we are moulded and fashioned (cf. Romans 5 vs. 1-5)

At Laidlaw over the weekend I was blessed to hear the real life stories of graduates, and the martyr’s garden reinforced that there is a costliness to faith .We so often want to life to be easy and simple, and the prosperity doctrine imported from overseas is severely flawed. 

I hope this meditation helps you to re-focus and to recognise that apart from God, we are weak, but in and through him we can withstand what the world throws at us.

James 1 vs. 2-6  – Faith and Endurance            

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.

For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow,

Be prepared to seek God’s guidance and look to him for help so that the Spirit he can employ

On your behalf to help fight the good fight and to guide you in what things you need to faith show

On what things to take a stand, on what things to be prepared to let go, and on what to be coy

On what to be open, for you are called to be wise and discerning about what we let others know

For the Spirit is your counsellor who guides us in truth and knows God’s will and Satan’s every ploy

So you can know when your faith is tested, that you can endure in God’s strength and let your faith grow

 

For when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you, he will not rebuke you for asking

Rather he calls seek and keep seeking, knock and keep knocking, ask and keep asking all things

And as you do you’ll find your God does answer and guide you through, he is able to do multi-tasking!

Indeed he is all-present and all knowing, as we trust him he is able to inspire and hope to us brings

So if you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you, he will not rebuke you for asking

 

But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person

With divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.

We need to be alert for our enemy prowls around looking to devour the weak to a person

God’s desire is that we do not have a spirit of timidity but of power, love and a sound mind

And if seek him with all we are, not relying on own understanding we won’t be uncertain

Rather we can know and trust him who calms the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind

 

 

Mark Maffey, August 2008©

 

(NLT)

 

http://maffster.blogtown.co.nz/

 

Posted in POEMS, Poems New Testament | No Comments »

Ecclesiastes 3 vs. 1-8 – A Time for Everything

Aug 1st, 2011 by

Today is my 46th Birthday, I am undergoing a time of significant change, and am hoping to re-kindle and re-activate some energy levels in all areas of my life. Ecclesiastes 3 demonstrates that we do have different seasons in life, and in all of these seasons God is present even if we feel it or not.

Ecclesiastes 3 vs. 1-8 – A Time for Everything
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
Sometimes life doesn’t seem fair and the unexpected ones leave us for heaven
Or things we think are secure disappear and life is far from being a hoot
Often the first thing we do is blame God, for it is ok to beat at the door of heaven
To let out the frustration, the pain, the angst, and tears, let it all hang out
But we need to give God a chance, ask his help and let him our lives leaven
For there is a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot

A time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, There are many different seasons in our lives both quiet and really wild
In all those seasons we need to wait on our God, to give him a chance
To actively work in our lives, to bring change and in us his word build
God desires that we have life in abundance, and there is a time to dance

A time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
A time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
We hold on to that we need to let go of and let God deal with, if we do don’t we him constrain
He calls us to cast our burdens upon him, yet we struggle to these words say:
“Father this isn’t for me to handle, I give over to you my burden” from this we shouldn’t refrain
We need to seek his will, he will show us what to keep and what to throw away

A time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
A time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. There are different times and seasons in life in all these we need to God seek
If we with thanksgiving and supplication pray to him, he will give peace
To us which surpasses understanding, wait on him in his presence don’t speak
For as we trust in him we do not need to worry and our striving can cease
His promise to us “ I will never leave you or forsake you”, he will us safe keep
Through all the times of life our God is able to give us his perfect peace.

Mark Maffey,
July2008©
(NIV)
http://maffster.blogtown.co.nz/

Posted in POEMS, Poems Old Testament | No Comments »

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