TO GOD BE THE GLORY
A Poem [7/20/2025]
INTRO:
God’s creation is truly magnificent. We encounter our world every day but so often, we can become oblivious to the beauty that surrounds us.
Genesis chapter one tells how God created the heavens and the earth in six days. First, He created the light and separated it from the darkness. Next, He separated the waters of the heavens from the waters of the earth. On the third day, He commanded dry land to emerge with its plants, and trees, and seed-bearing fruit. On the fourth day, God set lights in the sky to light the earth and to govern the day and night. Next, He filled the waters with fish and the sky with birds of every kind. On the sixth day, God produced all sorts of animals, each able to produce offspring of the same kind. And God saw that it was good.
But God saved the best for last. On the sixth day He created Adam and Eve and told them to be fruitful and multiply. And for six millenniums, we have done just that.
Out of all of creation, we are God’s crowning glory. May we find a revelation of how special we are to His heart. We know it’s true because one day, God sent His Son to redeem us. He paid a great price for us. It was costly and expensive. Yes, Jesus was the “poem of God’s heart” that He lovingly wrote to us. Praise His name forever.
TEXT:
Genesis 1:26, 27; (NLT).
“Then God said, ‘Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.’ So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”
A POEM
Oh, how the mighty hand of God
created everything.
The trees, the flowers, the flowing brooks,
the birds, and the songs they sing.
He gave us stars to light the night
and a sun to warm the day.
And then to guide us through the dark,
a moon to light our way.
Oh, how His wonders do surround us
if we’ll take the time to see
how beautiful He made His world
to share with you and me.
Yes, flowers, birds, and dewdrops, too,
with songs only they can sing
created He, to bless us with
a world only He could bring.
But as He watched His final work,
the woman and the man,
created He, our wondrous God,
a gift, as only His love can.
Within the breathing breast He put
a heart, like His alone.
And there within the heart God wrote
to speak to us a poem.
With His tender words of love
could God alone impart,
and created He, this tender gift,
His poem . . . of the heart.
©rdouglasveer; 2021
America the Beautiful [7/6/2025]
INTRO:
I remember the first time I saw an extremely large American flag. It must have measured hundreds of square feet, and when I watched it waving in the breeze, it brought tears to my eyes.
This nation called The United States of America is magnificent and unique. The English writer G. K. Chesterton once said, "America is the only nation in the world that is founded on a creed." That creed, written by godly men, was outlined in the Declaration of Independence. They advocated for inherent rights, government rule with purpose, and limited political authority. Harry Truman once said, “Being an American is [the] belief that all men are created free and equal.”
The almighty God also wants men to be free. First, He gave us free will so we could choose (or choose not) to follow Him. Second, He wants us free from sin through His offering of salvation. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life,” (John 3:16; NKJV). Third, He wants us free of bondage to other men, especially to false ideas and doctrines. We should be subject to Christ, alone.
Many other countries in the world practice the persecution of Christians. America has been an exception. Let us hold fast to these freedoms as we celebrate the birthday of our nation. God bless America!
TEXT:
Psalm 33:12; (ESV).
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!”
1 Timothy 2:1-2; (ESV).
“. . . I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”
America the Beautiful
1. O beautiful for spacious skies,
for amber waves of grain;
for purple mountain majesties
above the fruited plain!
America! America! God shed his grace on thee,
and crown thy good with brotherhood
from sea to shining sea.
2. O beautiful for heroes proved
in liberating strife,
who more than self their country loved,
and mercy more than life!
America! America! May God thy gold refine,
till all success be nobleness,
and every gain divine.
3. O beautiful for patriot dream
that sees beyond the years
thine alabaster cities gleam,
undimmed by human tears!
America! America! God mend thine every flaw,
confirm thy soul in self-control,
thy liberty in law.
Author: Katharine Lee Bates (1893); Public Domain
Dancing With the Devil [6/22/2025]
INTRO:
The Bible says, “The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people’s conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance,” (2 Peter 3:9; AMPC).
The judgment of God is born out of His holiness, purity, and righteous character. When it comes to sin, no matter how great or small, He is not a God of compromise. When God said, be perfect as I am perfect, (see Matthew 5:48), He knew we couldn’t live up to His standards. But what He was asking in this verse was that we be perfect in our attitude and intent. And as we turn to Him, God will do the rest.
Yes, warning always comes before judgment. God wants to give each of us a chance to turn away from our sin (and dancing with the devil) and instead reach out to hold His hand. He wants to guide us across that Bridge to Him through the loving sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. In Him we will find salvation and friendship with the Lord. He is a good God.
TEXT:
Proverbs 28:13; (NKJV).
“He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.”
Galatians 6:7; (NKJV).
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”
Romans 6:23; (NKJV).
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Dancing with the Devil
Bright lights and country music
or maybe rock and roll?
The cigarette smoke and alcohol
will soon take its toll.
A risky place to do your dancing;
thinking it's fun and free
but sooner than you had ever imagined,
you’ll pay a sad penalty.
Dangerously, we dance through the world,
lured by its bright array
of blinking signs that light up the night
and temptations that hide in the day.
Invisibly, the tempter is there;
the Devil, the destroyer of souls,
as he slyly seduces poor mankind
to come dance in the danger zone.
With a musical beat, the laughter rings
and hides the enemy's plan
to make you a captive in his Hell
ruled by his hideous hand.
Where is this danger zone, you ask,
from which I should depart?
My friend, it's where you'd least suspect.
It's deep within your heart.
A heart unyielded, dancing free
obeying its own will;
a heart once lost in the danger zone,
is a soul that Satan can kill.
Jesus tells us, "Be afraid
to dance in the danger zone,
where Satan has the power to kill,
the body and the soul.
Leave now. Today, while there is time,
before God rings the bell,
when those caught in the danger zone
will dance into Satan's Hell.
And when the dancing is all done
and eternity begins,
you'll realize that all his lies
have trapped you in deadly sin.
The danger zone will pass away
and death will take its place,
so why not turn to Jesus now
and accept His saving grace?
Turn your back on Satan's music.
Turn and dance away.
Dance right out of the danger zone
and into God's arms today.
©rdouglasveer; 2002
The Unchanging God [6/8/2025]
INTRO:
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness nor shadow of turning,” (James 1:17; ESV). Picture a sundial. As the sun shines its light across the dial, the movement of the globe causes the shadow to move. But when we consider God, we understand that He is light; there is no darkness in Him. He cannot cause a shadow therefore His nature is unchangeable. God is holy and in incapable of evil. And since every good and perfect gift comes from Him, evil cannot come from Him, nor can He tempt anyone to do wrong.
It is comforting to know that as imperfect and flawed as we are, there is yet hope. In life, we sometimes end up on wrong roads, we hurt ourselves and others, and we often make poor decisions. But there’s one decision that will save us: accepting Christ as our Savior. We can always depend on Him and know that His love and His promises never change.
TEXT:
Hebrews 6:17-18; (NLT).
“So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.”
The Unchanging God
I was born so helpless
and so needy and so weak
that for years t’was on so many,
many people that I’d lean.
Yes, we grew and we did flourish
as days turned into years
and at times we were so loving
but, could bring some folks to tears.
Our bones and all our muscles
matured just as they should
while our character and mind
became both bad and good.
Then, we started to NOT do
those things we really ought.
Our style and our mood
brought to life a great big blot.
Changes in time . . .
Changes in seasons . . .
Changes in me
were without rhyme or reason.
But now I am so glad
that when times seem quite unstable,
there’s One Whom I can count on:
the One who's ALWAYS is able.
The world that was young once,
just like me . . . has grown old.
Sheep now grow in cages
instead of in the fold.
Jets sail ore' the skies
like ships that sail the sea
and what's yet in the future
is much too scary for you and me.
Now up there in the Heavens
beyond man and machine
is a glorious wonder
that no human eye has seen.
There we'll find the unchanging
and treasured, immutable One.
He sits high upon His throne;
with the Spirit and Son.
Words do not exist
to describe His Majesty,
or to tell of how my heart knows that
He truly does love me.
It matters not how often
I change or sometimes wander.
He's more solid than anyone
could ever, ever ponder.
For buildings may well crumble
and my world may well explode
and the things that once used to be,
we will no longer hold,
because nothing here is stable,
and nothing here will last
except the great, unchanging God
who holds the future and past.
But I must say I am thankful, for when
I'm laid beneath the sod,
He will look unto His angels
and give a loving nod.
Then to an unchanging world,
there He'll call my name to come
by the ever unchanging God . . .
Holy Spirit . . .
and Son . . .
©rdouglasveer; 2002
Memorial Day [5/25/2025]
INTRO:
Some folks may wonder what the difference is between Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day. The two occasions might seem quite similar because they both honor the military, but actually, the two patriotic holidays are quite different.
Veterans Day, a federal holiday that falls on November 11, is designated as a day to honor the more than 19 million men and women who have served or do actively serve in the U.S. military.
Memorial Day, which is commemorated on the last Monday in May, honors service members who have died in military service to the nation. The holiday began in the post-Civil War era, when citizens would informally place spring flower memorials on the graves of fallen soldiers, (See https://www.uso.org/stories/2522-understanding-the-difference-of-memorial-day-vs-veterans-day).
Today, we feature a poem from https://readgoodpoems.com/. The lyrics to this poem describe so wonderfully the sentiment of our fallen heroes that we wanted to share these words with you. God bless our many soldiers who fought and died for this great country called America.
TEXT:
John 15:13; (NIV).
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
A Soldier's Prayer For Memorial Day
Dear Lord above, hear my prayer,
For those who fought, but are not here.
Bless their souls, in the afterglow,
In your loving arms, let their spirits grow.
For the comrades lost in the heat of the fight,
In the shadows of darkness, in the silent night.
Bless their souls, in the celestial flight,
In the realm of peace, where there is no plight.
In the hallowed ground, where heroes repose,
A soldier's prayer; the wind softly blows.
Grant them rest, and solace profound,
In your loving arms, may peace abound.
Their sacrifice, a prayer eternally heard,
In the presence of angels, in your holy Word.
A soldier's prayer, for the brave and true,
In the tapestry of remembrance, forever anew.
Reference:
https://readgoodpoems.com/memorial-day-christian-poems
These Memorial Day Christian poems
are a powerful reminder of the
sacrifice made by those who have
fought for our freedom.
They also serve as a reflection
on the ultimate sacrifice
that Jesus made for us.
Let us honor and remember all
who have given their lives
for our country.
The Path Chosen [4/13/2025]
INTRO:
There’s a remarkable woman mentioned in the Old Testament: the widow of Zarephath. She encountered the prophet Elijah who asked her to bring him a little water and a morsel of bread. She said, “I swear by the Lord your God that I haven’t a single piece of bread in the house. And I have only a handful of flour left and a little cooking oil in the bottom of the jar. I was just gathering a few sticks to cook this last meal, and then my son and I must die of starvation,” (I Kings 17:12; TLB). Despite her lack, this courageous woman obeyed Elijah’s request. She brought him some water and made him a small cake. Her faithfulness led to divine provision. From that time forward, God miraculously produced for her a continuous supply of flour and olive oil. Her jars never ran dry.
In 1923, Author Thomas O. Chisholm wrote a wonderful hymn that reflects God’s daily working power in our lives. He works in ways from the simple to the miraculous. He is God; He cannot fail. We have no reason to doubt Him. Christians the world over have discovered the same lesson this Mother knew as she depended on God for her very survival. As we appreciate our Moms this Mother’s day, let us also focus on how we can follow a Mother’s godly example and trust in the Lord. Below is the hymn, Great is Thy Faithfulness...
TEXT:
Psalm 36:5; (NIV).
“Your lovingkindness, O Lord, extends to the heavens, Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.”
Hebrews 13:8; (KJV).
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.”
Great is Thy Faithfulness
Great is thy faithfulness, O God, my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with thee.
Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;
As thou hast been, thou forever wilt be.
Refrain:
Great is thy faithfulness,
Great is thy faithfulness,
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed thy hand hast provided;
Great is thy faithfulness,
Lord unto me.
2. Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love. [Refrain]
3. Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine and ten thousand beside. [Refrain]
Author: Thomas O. Chisholm (1923); Public Domain
A Parent's Heart [4/27/2025]
INTRO:
There’s a wonderful, biblical example of how God shapes lives and answers prayer. A certain grandmother is mentioned in the New Testament; her name is Lois. She is known as a woman of sincere faith. Her faith and dedication to praying were passed down to her daughter, Eunice, and then to her grandson, Timothy. The Apostle Paul was Timothy’s spiritual father, and he recognized Lois’s sincere faith. Faith like that does not grow out of a prayerless life. A woman of great faith also has a strong prayer life. We see from this women in the Bible that great things happen and lives are changed when mothers pray and elevate their faith in God.
TEXT
Lamentations 2:19; ESV
“Arise, cry out in the night, at the beginning of the night watches! Pour out your heart like water before the presence of the Lord! Lift your hands to him for the lives of your children..."
1 John 5:13-15; ESV
“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.”
A Parent’s Heart
I know she breaks your heart in two,
because of how she's living.
And yes, I know about your son,
and all the pain he's giving.
(But have you prayed for them?)
God answers prayer at night or noon
and all times in between.
There's not a moment of the day
when He will not be seen.
But why cry to the Lord at all
with burdens, pains and cares,
unless you've spent some time with Him,
upon your knees in prayer?
What right have you expecting God
to save your wayward child,
who's running through the streets of life
recklessly and wild . . .
. . . if you are guilty of not praying
against their way of sin
and you are guilty of not spending
time in prayer with Him.
If you’re not spending time with God
the way you ought to do,
then as a careless child of His,
you’re being wayward too.
Do you really want your daughter
saved from living wrong?
Well, have you held her up to God
in prayer the whole night long?
Does your son need Jesus, but,
he's headed down to Hell?
Then, does your heart cry out for him
from the depths of your prayer-well?
When children are no longer playing
in their own back yard,
they need a Christian parent,
to pray while standing guard.
This day, this hour, this moment, dear . . .
. . . this is the time to start,
to reach the Father, Lord of Heaven
with a praying parent's heart.
It’s more than shelter that they need
on any given day.
They need you more than just for meals.
They need to know you pray.
* * *
I know she breaks your heart in two,
because of how she's living,
And yes, I know about your son,
and all the pain he's giving.
(But have you prayed for them?)
©rdouglasveer; 2002
The Path Chosen [4/13/2025]
INTRO:
Jesus came to save the lost. And Palm Sunday commemorates the occasion with the celebration of our Lord’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. He arrived one week before he would take that final walk to Calvary where He was nailed to a cross. The week leading up to this horrific day is called “Passion Week”. It is so named because even though He didn’t have to choose this path, the Son of God--out of His passionate love--was willing to lay down His life for all of mankind. On this day, His earthly ministry ended and He stepped forward to secure salvation for you and for me. For “whosoever” calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Have YOU decided to accept His gift of salvation?
TEXT:
Luke 19:10; (ESV).
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."
Romans 10:13; KJV
“For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
The Path Chosen
On borrowed colt, He rides so free,
Yet weighed by what’s ordained to be.
His steps are set, the path is known,
Towards the fate that’s set in stone.
The palms wave high, a fleeting fame,
Yet Jesus plays no earthly game.
He knows the cheers will fade away,
Like sunlight at the close of day.
Into Jerusalem’s streets, so grand,
He rides toward what God has planned.
He feels the weight of coming strife,
Yet chooses still this path of life.
©2023 Maya Anthony
Find more poems by Maya Anthony at:
The Race [3/30/2025]
INTRO:
It's a blessing when we desire to serve the Lord with complete abandon. But that takes maturity; it takes a seasoned Christian to be able to run the race on that level. So how do we get there? One tool for growth is to read God's word each day. There, we can find everything we need to intimately know the Lord: His character, His way of thinking, His distastes, and His desires. The next step in our daily walk is to obey the word. Just reading it is not enough. When we obey God's directives, we can then experience life the way He intended it. But the golden thread running through this tapestry is prayer. The Bible says that without God, we can do nothing, (See John 15:4). He is the vine and we are the branches, (See John 15:5). We need God's help for everything. We must ask Him for faith, endurance to run, strength as not to tire, the ability to witness and contend for souls; we even need God to place His desires in our hearts that we might please Him in all things. Then, we can hopefully say what Paul said in Second Timothy, chapter four, about having fought the good fight and finishing the race. Are you looking forward to that crown of righteousness? How is your journey going so far?
TEXT
II Timothy 4:7, 8; NIV
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
The Race
I've sat in these bleachers
a very long, long time,
knowing that this race
should very well be mine.
So I am going to get busy
and do my spiritual part.
I will show the others who run
that I will do my part.
Here’s a brand new year;
I'm going to give it my all.
I'm going to trust my God to keep me
from taking a ruinous fall.
This is Christian determination
that you see upon my face.
I surely have made up my mind.
Yes, I'm entering the race.
Give me faith Lord, give me faith,
and endurance that will last,
and Lord, don't let me focus
on my failures of the past.
Give me love Lord, give me love,
before I start to run.
How I need a sense of urgency;
this isn't just for fun.
Help me run Lord, help me run,
give me strength to carry forth;
contending for the mark ahead
and run for all it’s worth.
Give me souls Lord, give me souls,
to lay at Jesus' feet.
Let me win them from the world:
the lost souls that I meet.
Help me pass the Breath of Life
to others next in line.
That it may put strength in their hearts
just as You gave mine.
The grand prize isn't always granted
to the fleet of foot so sure,
but often it is given to
the faithful who endure.
Help me be the example, Lord
for those who are ahead,
that running as Your champion
is not a thing to dread.
Help me, Lord, to share the Gospel
in the devil’s face.
Oh, dear Jesus, help me be
Your runner in this spiritual race.
* * *
What about you?
It's time to stretch and share your love.
It's time! Trust God in faith.
It's time to give the bleachers up.
It’s time to run the race.
©rdouglasveer; Year Unknown
The Bank of Eternity [3/16/2025]
INTRO:
It's a rat race out there and many are caught up in it. Those who become distraught by it all begin to ask: What is the purpose of life? What's the point? Those who never find the answer have miserable existences; some even elect the option of suicide. How sad. They have missed out on God's tremendous love and His solid, guiding principles.
Thankfully, others have discovered that the truth can set them free. They've learned to put God first, family next, and work last. They've learned to value kindness, love and mercy. They've become God pleasers instead of man pleasers. They've changed banks, depositing their treasures into the Bank of Eternity and they now realize our purpose as human beings is to love God and love others. This kind of lifestyle brings peace and rest for weary souls. Is this you? Come rest in Jesus. His yoke is easy and His burden is light.
TEXT
1 Timothy 6:6, 17-19; AMP
“But godliness actually is a source of great gain when accompanied by contentment [that contentment which comes from a sense of inner confidence based on the sufficiency of God]. As for the rich in this present world, instruct them not to be conceited and arrogant, nor to set their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly and ceaselessly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, willing to share [with others]. In this way storing up for themselves the enduring riches of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.”
The Bank of Eternity
I've worked so hard these many years
and yet don't seem to have,
enough of anything to keep,
for future needs and such.
Like last week's check, it disappeared
before the bills were paid,
and now the mortgage company
is making quite a fuss.
But that's the way of this old world.
It never seems to change.
It's work and pay, and work and pay;
eternally in debt.
It seems no matter what I do
I just can't meet the ends.
Try as I might I just can't seem
to ever get ahead.
I put it in the bank and then
I take it out again.
It's, "Fill out the deposit slip,"
and then, "Write out a check."
I'm always way behind my needs,
no matter what I do.
Why should I try? Why should I care?
I'm just a nervous wreck.
But then I thought about a word
I read once in the Bible,
about a way to put away
and keep a treasure sure.
I put into the hands of God
those things I cherish most,
like kindness, love, and mercy
to make my account secure.
And when upon the Judgement Day
my settling time has come,
a bank account to draw upon
will be there in my name.
. . . And I can stand before my Lord
there in the heavenly bank,
and He will say,
"Welcome. Well done."
And I won't be ashamed.
Because of what I’ve done on earth
I’ll have security
laid up for me to rest upon,
in the Bank of Eternity.
©rdouglasveer; 2002
A Vessel of Honor [3/2/2025]
INTRO:
When silver or gold are refined, these metals are often heated to, or beyond their boiling points. This does not change the elemental, precious metals but the impure metals like lead, copper, and zinc react to form a sludge. Then the organic compounds, impurities, and volatile materials separate themselves out so that only the precious metal remains. Several processes are used at each stage until 99.9% purity is achieved.
In the same way, when trials and tribulations come, it is then that we are tested and purified in God's refining fire. Sometimes a situation can become so heated, we feel like we'll simply burn up before any good can come of it. God knows that tribulation brings patience and so much more. And He is working with us to form us more and more into the image of His Son, being careful all the while to sheild us from destruction because He loves us; we are His precious children.
Are you in the midst of a fire right now? Are you experiencing the heat of God's testing. If so, don't give up. Keep going. You can trust Him to complete the good work He started in you when you became a believer in Christ.
TEXT:
Romans 5:1-5; NKJV
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
A Vessel of Honor
Silver and gold have I none,
But such as I have give I thee.
In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,
rise up and walk with me.
As silver is dug from the Earth far below,
so God digs deep to rescue a soul.
As silver is crushed and melted and poured,
so man is transformed as he yields to the Lord.
Tried by the fires of redeeming grace,
God melts the heart of the poor human race.
As I see what He gave on Calvary,
humbled I am by what He did for me.
Broken was Christ where I should have been.
Crushed for the whole world to pay for my sin.
Melted and poured in what seemed to be waste,
He took the refining fire in my place.
Into the blazes of man's hate and scorn,
went Christ the Savior, God's only born,
to purify me from shame and from sin,
into the fire my Savior went in.
But now God in love wants to put me in too,
so I can be part of what Jesus went through.
And the refiners fire will burn from within,
the dross and the waste from my life of sin.
Heat me oh God, in the refiners fire,
burn out the man who has lived as a liar.
Refine me as silver for your holy use.
Refine me in the flames of Your holy truth.
Make me oh God, as a vessel worthwhile,
made of pure silver, crucified in Your fire.
Melt me and pour me; make me Your own.
Use me oh God, near to Your holy throne.
©rdouglasveer; Year Unknown
Heartsong Melody [2/16/2025]
INTRO:
King Solomon penned one thousand and five love songs in this biblical book called The Song of Solomon or The Song of Songs. The theme can be found in verse 2:16: “My lover is mine, and I am his. . .” The book presents a beautiful love story in poetic form and has been a source of delight to readers through the ages. It celebrates the love between a bridegroom and a bride. But it is also a perfect picture of the beautiful bond between Christ, the Heavenly Bridegroom, and His Church, the Bride of Christ.
It is wonderful to know that the bridegroom takes the initiative to pursue the bride. In the same way, God chooses us, and opens the way for us to be united with Him. Furthermore, the bride is unworthy of the bridegroom’s love. As sinners, we too are unworthy, but God is gracious and His love for us is eternal. While human marriage is time-honored and magnificent, as believers our union with Christ is everlasting and divine.
TEXT:
Song of Songs 2:12-14; (The Message).
“Get up, my dear friend, fair and beautiful lover-come to me! Look around you: Winter is over; the winter rains are over, gone! Spring flowers are in blossom all over. The whole world's a choir-and singing! Spring warblers are filling the forest with sweet arpeggios. Lilacs are exuberantly purple and perfumed, and cherry trees fragrant with blossoms. Oh, get up, dear friend, my fair and beautiful lover-come to me! Come, my shy and modest dove--leave your seclusion, come out in the open. Let me see your face, let me hear your voice. For your voice is soothing and your face is ravishing.”
Heartsong Melody
I hear the whispers in the wind
When even tide is near.
With its soft melodious voice
It calls the moon, "Come near".
I hear the gurgling of the brook
As it trickles down.
Across the rocky meadow face
With wrinkles in its brow.
I hear the branches of the pines
Play syncopated tunes
That harmonize with ev'ning doves
And owls and lutes and loons.
Then the brook and wing and wind
in orchestrated mewl
Bring night alive with moon and stars
To now be born anew.
Love’s crescendo booms and cries
In catalytic swoon.
Our hearts unite "en musicale"
beneath a lover's moon.
And then in soft melodic notes
Your love song touches me
And matches melody and rhyme
To my “heartsong melody”.
© rdouglasVeer 3/8/1997
Sorry, I Never Knew You [2/522025]
INTRO:
Some people say the scariest verse in the Bible is found in Matthew 7:23: "And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness,’" (NKJV). This rejection from God, almighty, is not for a day or a week or even a year. It's forever. People don't realize how serious this is. At the same time, many folks just skate through life without God. Oh yes, they might believe He exists, but they don't know Him. And that's the point of this Scripture.
God is not looking for tenants in heaven. He's not looking to rent, lease, or sell property there. He's not interested in the endless schemes people employ to fuel their own selfish ambitions. And He doesn't want to be some kind of religious overseer, either. Christianity is not about religion. It's a relationship with the creator of the universe. It's a marriage that involves love, communication, open honesty, purity of heart and motive, and respect. More importantly, God is interested in having friendships with His people. He wants to know us as much as He wants to be known. That is the beginning of understanding. And our reverent and worshipful fear of Him is the beginning of wisdom.
Matthew 7:21-23; NIV
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
Proverbs 9:10
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding."
Sorry, I Never Knew You
Last night as I lay sleeping,
a dream had come to me
I dreamt about the end of time;
about eternity.
I saw a million sinners,
fall on their knees to pray
The Lord just sadly shook His head,
and this I heard Him say:
“Sorry, I never knew you.
Depart from Me for ever more.
Sorry, I never knew you.
Go, serve the one you served before.”
I thought the time had fully come,
that I must stand my trial.
I told the Lord that I had been
a Christian all the while.
Through His book He took a look,
and sadly shook His head.
He placed me over on His left
and this is what he said:
“Sorry, I never knew you.
I find no record of your birth.
Sorry, I never knew you.
Go, serve the one you served on earth.”
There were my wife and children;
I heard their loving voice.
They must have been so happy.
Oh how they did rejoice.
With robes of white around them,
their faces all aglow,
my little girl looked up at me
and with sadness in her voice,
She said, “Daddy, we can't go with you.
We must stay on this beautiful shore.
Sorry, for we still love you.
But you can't be our Daddy anymore.”
And when I had awakened,
with tears still in my eyes
I brushed them all away and saw
much to my surprise,
I saw my loving wife and babies,
and I knew I’d had a dream
so down upon my knees I fell,
and for mercy I did plead:
“Father, Who art in Heaven,
I know You gave Your only Son.
Father, please forgive me.
I want to be Yours when Jesus comes.”
©rdouglasveer; Year Unknown
Amazed Am I [1/19/2025]
INTRO:
What will we be doing when we get to heaven? While this poem is a lovely fantasy, we can know for certain that we won't become clouds in the next life. But we will be feasting in heaven at the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7-9), we will be fellowshiping with friends and family who also chose Jesus as their Savior, (Matthew 17), and we will be worshiping God, (Revelation 7:9-10).
The Bible also gives us a picture of paradise. Jesus told the thief on the cross, "...today you shall be with me in paradise," (Luke 23:43; NASB 1995). Strong's Concordance says the word for paradise, "en paradeisos," was chosen to portray the idea of "a park" similar to Eden, or God's park. There are a couple of Greek words to apply here. The alternative would have been "en nephele" meaning “in clouds”. Clearly, that will not be the case.
There isn't a whole lot written in the Bible about what to expect "up there". Perhaps that's because our relationship with the Lord is much more important than what our activities will be. But we can be assured of one thing: everything about heaven will exceed our imagination because God is supreme, all loving, and eternally infinite. Let's all make certain we'll be ready to go when the time comes.
TEXT:
John 14:2; KJV
"In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you."
Matthew 25:34; DARBY
"...Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from [the]
world's foundation."
Amazed Am I
How utterly amazed am I
when e’er I gaze into the sky,
and see the clouds so billowy
which float about so I can see,
the beauty of them as they are;
companions of the gleaming stars
which fill the night with majesty,
for all who take the time to see
the beauty that was given us,
that we might hopefully look up.
Who can deny the beauty there
suspended in the heavenly air,
where though mere man can never go
yet he can watch the heavenly show,
where fluffy clouds make such a view
suspended in the sky of blue.
Why should we waste the beauty then;
this should be evident by all men,
amazing as is meant to be
and printed on our memory.
So, when we age as all will do
we might believe that me and you
in our last hour then may fly
on up to be clouds in the sky,
and those below will take our place
to gaze up, utterly amazed.
©rdouglasveer; Year unknown
WE TRAVEL THE SAME ROAD [1/5/2025]
INTRO:
The word, "selah" means, "pause and think of that. I wonder how many people stop to think about their eternal destination? Many don't give it a thought, yet they will one day stand before God to give an account for themselves. When that day comes it will be too late to make a choice.
In the mean time, the Bible says, "He [The Father] makes the sun rise on both the evil and the good and sends rain on both the righteous and the unrighteous," (Matthew 5:45; CEB). So, people just carry on believing all is well, as it would seem...Que Sera Sera.
With that said, many will not elect to receive and follow Jesus. Some will accept Him so they can have "fire insurance". And others will realize what Christ did for all of us out of His great love and will accept Him and love Him and serve Him. Yes, that's a choice everyone is given. What road have you decided to travel?
TEXT:
Joshua 24:15; NIV
"But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
WE TRAVEL THE SAME ROAD
One man goes East,
one man goes West.
The same road travel they both.
But the way they travel
and who goes with them
will determine where they go.
The same winds blow,
the same rains fall
upon two traveler’s heads.
One man finds God,
the other rejects Him,
and travels to Hell at his death.
Selah.
©rdouglasveer; Year Unknown