Hope For Today
Hope For Today
Poetry
If you believe in God,
Your heart will pour out.
If you believe in the Saviour,
You will never doubt.
If you believe their love is pure,
You'll never be alone.
If you believe that your sins are forgiven,
To you God's grace will atone.
I Will Keep A Song In My Heart
Be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourself in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. Ephesians 5:18-19
God is glorified by songs of praise from a pure heart filled with love and devotion to Him...The gratitude which they [Christians] feel and the peace of God ruling within cause them to make melody in their hearts unto the Lord and by words to make mention of the debt of love and thankfulness due the dear Saviour, who so loved them as to die that they might have life.
The history of the songs of the Bible is full of suggestions as to the uses and benefits of music and song. Music is often pererted to serve purposes of evil, and thus becomes one of the most alluring agencies of temptation. But, rightly employed, it is a precious gift of God, designed to uplift the thoughts to high and noble themes, to inspire and elevate the soul.
As the children of Israel, journeying through the wilderness, cheered their way by the music of sacred song, so God bids His children today gladden their pilgrim life. There are few means more effictive for fixing His words in the memory than repeating them in song. And such song has wonderful power. It has power to subdue rude and uncultivated natures; power to quicken thought and to awaken sympathy, to promote harmony of action, and to banish the gloom of forebonding that destroy courage and weaken effort.
It is one of the most effetive mean of impressing the heart with spiritual truth. How often to the soul hard pressed and ready despair, memory recalls some word of God's-the long-forgotten burden of a childhood song-and temptations lose their power, life takes on new meaning and new purpose, and courage and gladness are imparted to other souls!
My Life Today Ellen G White
Heavenly Father
I am but a child lost ans alone
In a world full of evil and hate
Strayed from the path that leads the way home
Afraid of what is to come...of what awaits
Oh how I've sinned against thee my Lord
On this earth...In my mortal life
Thinking with fear of how thou may be bored
Listening to confessions of my trouble and strife
If only I could hear thy voice telling me
That Thou are always with me even though I sin
Please forgive the things I do that betrays thee
Please help me keep satan from stepping in
I say I will never sin again... but I know
Impossibilities stand in the way of fulfillment
If only I wer perfect, if only I could show
My heart and soul must succeed with providence
Help me to become worthy, so I may return
Guide me through life's trials and tribulations
Please keep me from the snares, is my concern
Help me keep the words of Revelations
With all of this I ask of Thee deep within my heart
Forgive me in all of the wrong things I do
Give me another chance to make a new start
In the name of Jesus Christ I say these things to you...Amen
The Sabbath
By Aniee B. Smith 1852
Come peaceful Day! Divinely blest!
Sweetly thy glories whould we sing~
Memorial of that Sacred Rest
Of Creation's Mighty King.
This hallowed time to man was given~
A foretaste of the bliss of heave.
Ye saints awake, with joyful lay,
Behold its rising light, divine;
To God your grateful homage pay,
Its radiant beams around us shine.
Welcome the day He calls His own,
And fervent worship at His throne.
Hark! Through the shining courts above,
What raptuous praises echo now!
Aroud that Holy Law of Love,
Seraphs in adoration bow.
Le earth, respnsive to the strain,
Exalt alone Jehovan's name.
All hail! Thou bright immortal Day!
Wom at His Temple all adore
His scepter's universal sway~
Observed in glory evermore;
When Zion shall in triumph reign,
And Eden bloom on earth again.
Take A Moment
Take a moment to listen
And hear the laughter of a child
The small and the innocent
Fills our heart with a smile
Take a moment to give them
The love that they deserve
The little time that you spend
Make a difference... Observe
Take a moment to remember
The child that once was you
Challenges of every day
Were all so different and new
Take a moment to teach
And show them what you know
Give them all that they need
Watch a child grow
Take a moment to listen
And hear the praise of a child
Because all of what you share
Will make each day worthwhile
Border Baby
My mommy left me today
I was only born an hour ago
I remember hearing her say
"I can't keep this baby, I must go"
What did I do wrong?
Was I really a mistake?
I haven't been her that long
And already I suffer from heartache
Strangers come over to my bed
I keep hoping she'll change her mind
Watching eagerly each time I'm fed
I'll wait for her, I have time
What I would give to feel mommy's touch
Her warmth, her love is what I lack
I want her to know I love her so much
Oh please mommy, please come back.
Abandoning a baby is the hardest thing a person can do. Giving up a baby is even harder. But if a mother who gives birth knows it's for the best interest of the child, because they aren't able to give the child what they need, then that mother can be given reasurance that she did the right thing. Those who have given a child up for adoption, or surrendered a child to a safe place, please know that you did the best thing if you aren't able to support or give what this child needs. And for those who left a baby in an unsafe place out of fear or confusion, be reasured that the baby was found and is being cared for.
Abortion is cruel and ugly thing to do to a living being. If you find yourself in a situation of getting pregnant, don't abort. There are many families out there willing and wanting a child to call their own. Those who cannot have children, their option is to adopt. So please think of giving up for adoption instead of ending the life of this living being inside you. Allow this child to grow to term, and you can release all parental rights to the child and give him or her up for adoption. These babies are brought into this world out of conception, whether consented or not. They are not the cause of their existence. It is by consentual or unconsentual sex. If you do not want to risk having to bring a child into this world, then stay chaste and keep yourself from making the wrong decisions. And if you have become pregnant, find a place that will help you through the pregnancy and through adoption. There are families and organizations that will help you get through it the whole way.
The Sanctuary
E.F. Cotttrell 1852
There is a house in heaven uilt,
The temple of the living God,
The tabernacle true, where guilt
Is washed away by precious blood.
Long since, our High Priest entered there,
Who knows the frailties of our frame;
Who loves to hear His people's prayer,
And offer to our God the same.
The daily ministry He bore,
Till ended the prophetic days;
He opened then the inner door,
To justify the sacred place.
Before the Ark of Ten Commands,
On which the meercy-seat is places,
Presenting His own blood, He stands,
Till Israel's sins are all erased.
This work performed, the firm decree
Will pass on all the sons of men,
He that is filthy, let him be,
He that is holy, so remain.
To Christ let living faith ascend,
Keep God's Commandments, patient wait,
Till we shall see our Dearest Friend,
And pass, with Him, the pearly gate.
The Ocean
The sun sets low on the horizon, coloring the sky a soft subtle pink
In the distance, a ship crosses the ocean, with its sails flapping high in the wind
Seaguls overhead fly down to the shore, looking for their resting place to sleep
And the waves crash against the rocks, spraying the air as they rush in
My hair softly blows in the gentle breeze, and I brethe in the cool, salty night air
A light mist brushes my face, leaving behind a cool sensation
An elderly couple walk hand in hand, talking about an event he thought he'd share
I begin to realize how this peaceful place has drawn many people here from generations
Sitting with my feet buried in the sand, gazing at the stars in the sky
Imprinting with a half shell I found next to me, humming a little tune
I listen to the sound of the rushing water, tell stories as time goes by
As the water slowly washes away a sandcastle, built by a child earlier in the afternoon
The moon sits high above, reflecting on the water, giving it a hazy warm glow
With an occasional flash of light coming from the lighthouse tower, not too far away
Watching the light in a trance as it hypnotizes, along with the ripples constant flow
And distant sounds of the bouys ringing bells, call to the shore as they sway
When for what ever reason getting away seems to be the only means of gaining tranquility
There should only be one place to keep in mind... The Ocean
A Seaside Reverle
Sea murmers lulled me to sleep one night
And I slept till morn, when a flood of light
Startled me. And lo! A picture so grand
To challenge the skill of an artist's hand.
Old ocean's waves with diamonds crowned
Were dancing and tossing with joyous boud;
And each, rushing on inwild, restless chase,
Seemed trying more jewels to gain in the race.
This marvelous scene my mirror caught
and reflecting me, awakened my thought;
And there fell on my ear the murmur low
Of the sea's matin song in its ebb and flow.
The lesson which came to my heart that hour
Was simple and plain, yet full of power.
Our lives, though billow-tossed they be,
ay speak God's glory-as does the sea.
For the Christian heart should surge and beat
With a love, as wide as the boundless deep;
And a hidden power-to move and sway,
Like nature revealed in the sea that day;
A power that sparkles with God's own light,
Buoyant- inspiring - glorious - bright.
Lulah K. Anderson 1907
I Heard Him Say
I heard Him say, "I will always be with thee
My child you may forever count on Me
I will be there to comfort you
In all of the pain that you will go through"
"At times you may feel that I'm not there
And at times you may feel that I don't care
But never lose the faith within your heart
For I will never from you part"
When I knelt down upon my knees
I knew that I was able to see
As I prayed to Him with desperation
I saw His smiling face and felt exultation
I said to Him "I will always have faith
And I will keep in mind of Your loving face
Whenever things start to ware me down
I'll think of You and will never frown"
I heard Him say; "Fear not My child
My love for you will last all awhile
Try not to stray from the chosen path
Eternal life you will surely have"
"If evil rests heavily upon your back
Pray for My guidance and its power will certainly lack
And when you feel you're all alone
Think of Me, and your heart I will atone"
Tears slowly ran down my cheek
And joy filled my heart so complete
And I said to Him, "Thank you Lord for evertything
For all of the blessings each day brings"
I heard Him say in His final words
"Remember these things which you have heard
I will always be there for thee
And you may forever count on Me."
I Know
I Know not where God's lilies fair unfold
Their pure white petals in eternal light;
I know not where the daisy's heart of gold
Ne'er feels the chilling dews of autumn's night.
I know not where the sunlit mountains rise
In their calm beauty, till they almost seem
To melt not the blue of summer skies,
And crown the brighness of the peaceful dream.
I know not where life's river sweeps along
That "maketh glad the city of our God,"
Or where the "many voices" sing the song
Along the ways that angels oft have trod.
But somehwere in the starry realms of space
Is heaven, with its holy age of rest;
I only know that I shall see His face;
And this, of all my joy, will be the best.
Mrs. M. A. Holt
Forgotten Times
An elderly woman began talking to me
Who she was, I don't believe I knew
Did she know me? Who knows, maybe
So my curiousity grew
For a time I had to stare,
"Please child, come sit down
Why don't you pull up a chair"
Her voice in a fragile sound
She said, "Has it been so long ago?
I can't remember much I'm afraid
It's good to have someone I know
Come out and visit me today
"Tell me if you can, why wasn't I there
When the days have come and gone
Sometimes I feel such despair
I don't know, something is terribally wrong"
"And why is it that I'm alone?
Have my children all grown and moved away?
It gets so lonely, I don't mean to groan
Please tell me, what is today?"
"I must have misplaced some of my years
What is happening to me?"
Then her eyes filled with tears
"Could I have lost my mind possibally?
"Does anyone come by anymore?
Or call to talk for awhile?
Have I asked you that before?"
She asked in an embarassing smile
In a silent moment she sighed
And turned to her window to see
All that passes her by
"Please tell me, what's wrong with me?"
God So Loved Us
There is only one true love
And it comes from above
For God so loved the world
His arms to us He unfurled
If you want to know what is right
Just look into His glorious light
Read the book of chosen words
And learn of what is heard
Always keep the faith of Him
And the light will never dim
Hold true within your heart
With God you will never part
Sing of His amazing grace
And keep in mind of His faither
You won't be going wrong
While in your heart you sing His song
When you've given up all Hope
And you feel you cannot cope
Just pray to God above
He will send down all of His love
Whe the day feels it's wearing you down
And your life feels entombed into the ground
Pray to the one who can save you
Then you can live your life as you need to
God has all of the answers
And your problems will all emerge
Trust in Him, He is the only one
He so loved us He sent His only Son
Sing of His amazing grace
And Keep in mind of His faith
You won't be going wrong
While in your heart you sing His song
There Is A Place
There is a place in His Kingdom for me
Where I can sit and talk to the One who set me free
While angels are singing, and the tumpets play
I'll be there to learn, I'll be there to pray
There is a place in my heart for His love
And forever I will call to Him up above
I'll tell Him how I need Him to comfort my soul
To help me make my life again become whole
He'll walk with me through the Heavens each day in His sight
He'll talk with me about His Father, of His glory and might
With love He will purify all that has disheartened my life
He'll ease my frustrations from the worldly troubles and strife
There is a place where peace dwells everywhere
Revernce is in the hearts of those who gather there
For love is so pure, there is no evil or hate
It's for those whose lives have been corrected, and for those who've been straight
There is a place that dwells above the clouds
Although it's not visible to the human eye, it's there an it makes me proud
My heavenly family patiently waits for me to arrive
And someday I'll be there by their side
Yes, there is a place in His Kingdom for me
On earth I will strive to do my best to be
Worthy enought to return home to Him
In heaven is where His light will never dim
Ask The Blind Man He Saw It Too
He walked the lands to spread the Word
Everyone was there and they all heard
He was the Son of God, sent to the earth
Most people followed, others didn't think He was any worth
He healed the sick, He raised the dead
Little children would follow wherever He lead
His disciples would do whatever He'd say
His name is Jesus, and He's known even today
He walked on water like it was solid ground
He was thought to be a trader, most people had found
But through all of that, He did what His Father asked Him to do
And in the end He died on the cross for me and for you
With a crown they made for Him out of thorns
They placed it on His head, His skin was torn
He carried His cross to the top of the hill
Most people spat on Him, while others stood there quiet and still
All were there to see this man become crucified
His mother Mary stood at the foot of the cross and cried
He said to her, "Woman weep no more for Me"
Then said "Father into Thy Kingdom I commence My soul to Thee
Baremous had cried when He knew it was the end
For the Man who gave him the chance to see His new friend
If you don't believe the things I'm telling you are true
Ask the blind man, he saw it too
Lord We Just Want To Be With You
Lord...
We just want to be with You
Please bring your presence near
To feel Your love we always knew
Would break our guilt and fear
Lord...
We just want to worship you
We sing and give you praise
We lift our hands, our voice to you
And delight in all Your ways
Lord...
We just want to honor this day
For by your grace, we've all been saved
With your blood, our sins are washed away
At the cross you crused the grave
Lord...
Sometimes this world feels bigger than you
The darkness wants to drag us down
But we know we've been made new
By your glory and grace abound
Lord...
We know that Your time is near
That glorious day will come soon
We pray that others will hear
They too will want to be with you
I Will Wait On The Lord
The Lord will make me strongWhen I need to carry on
The lord will make me bold
When the Word needs to be told
The Lord will keep me from being afraid
When I feel the world has betrayed
I will not let my heart be troubled
I will wait on the Lord
The Lord will make me courageous
When sin all around is contagious
The Lord will stregthen my heart
When all of my trials do start
The Lord will let me know He's near
When I begin to feel fear
I will not let my heart be troubled
I will wait on the Lord
The Lord will send His comfort to me
When I pray while on bended knee
The Lord will show me His grace
When I'm seaching to seek His face
The Lord will strengthen my trust
When I feel my life is unjust
I will not let my heart be troubled
I will wait on the Lord
I am not skilled to understand
What God hath willed, what God hath planned:
I only know at His right hand
Sits One who is my Saviour.
I take Him at His word and deed:
"Christ died to save me," this I read;
And in my heart I find a need
Of Him to be my Saviour.
That He should leave His place on high
And come for sinful man to die,
You count it strange? so once did I
Before I knew my Saviour.
Dora Greenwell
Imaginations
At her little table she sits
With her dolls and her teddy bears
It's now tea time for six
All dressed up with bows in her hair
"Shall I pour the tea?" she said
As she smiles so happily, so true
"Miss Bordeaux," she addresses as she nodded her head
To her favorite doll dressed in blue
As she sips from her empty cup
A conversation begins to stir
Laughing she then looks up
"Oh how funny you are dear sir"
With cookies upon a plate
She passes it around the table
"Have two, have six, have eight"
With a smile she said, "If you are able"
Imaginations are running wild
Her mind runs faster than she
But this little girl doesn't feel like a child
She's an adult as far as she can see
She's growing up so fast
She won't be a child anymore
If only childhood would last
If only she could stay four
"The wind bloweth where it listeth,
but thou canst not tell. . . "
Who has seen the wind?
Neither I nor you.
But when the leaves hang trembling,
The wind is passing through.
Who has seen the wind?
Neither you nor I.
But when the trees bow down their heads,
The wind is passing by.
Christina Rossetti
If Christ would live and reign in me,
I must die;
With Him I crucified must be;
I must die;
Lord, drive the nails, nor heed the groan,
My flesh may writhe and make its moans,
But in this way, and this alone,
I must die.
When I am dead, then, Lord, to Thee
I shall live;
My time, my strength, my all to Thee
I shall give.
O may the Son now make me free!
Here, Lord, I give my all to Thee;
For time and for eternity
I will live.
Unknown
"Ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God" Col. 3:3
Paul teaches that when a man is born again, there is a new life imparted from above. The "Old Man" which was in slavery to sin is brought to the cross of Christ and by faith is crucified with Him. In the solemn act of baptism the new man, born from above, consigns the "old man" to the grave. The believer reckons himself as having died to sin and been resurrected to live unto God. Shall he continue in the sins which possessed and controlled the former life? God forbid.
It is very plain from Paul's words that living Christ's life continuously is dependent upon dying with Him daily. Many have not seen or understood the necessity of this death; and others, having seen it, are afraid or unwilling to die. It is the daily dying of self that makes room for the living of Christ. Paul said, "I die daily" 1 Cor. 15:31.
Again and again it is emphasized in the Scriptures that we enter into life with Christ by first sharing by faith in His death. It is a death as terribly real in the spiritual realm, as physical death is in the natural realm. It is attended by pangs of suffering and shrinking, and opposed by all the powers of passions of the unregenerate nature. It is therefore of geatest importance that the death and burial of the "old man" of sin received due emphasis. The phrase 'buried with Christ,' denotes, then, the absoluteness of our death with Him, as a man who passes away is said to be dead and buried.
So they who are really dead and buried with Christ think of that old natural self as having been wrapped in its winding-sheet, and buried in the dark grave with Christ's burial. The old habits, the old besetments the old sins, are, by a faith that knows nothing of intermittency, and completely past and gone." Mantle
If we will study God's Word, we shall find abundant incentive to face this death, for it must be a voluntary one, and we must go to the cross, as our Master did, of our own free will.
Meade McGuire
