TO GOD BE THE GLORY
This Child of Mine [9/5/2021]
INTRO:
There’s nothing we want more for our children than for them to be happy and fulfilled. And just as we care about our children, God cares for us because He is a good God. He is also all wise, and has set in motion certain principles that will lead us to a best life . . . if we follow them. One of those precepts is “delighting in Him.” To delight in God means more than to simply “take pleasure” in Him. It means to become “soft, delicate, tender, and pliable” in His hands, trusting Him completely so He would have His way with us, knowing that He alone knows what’s best for us; after all, He created us.
Similarly, a potter can not create a vessel unless the material in his hands is moldable. When pottery is made, the first thing that’s added to the clay is water. The Bible uses “water” symbolically for the Word of God. God’s Word must permeate our inner being before we can be sculpted. The Word will soften us and cleanse us. The clay should then be centered on the wheel. We need to be centered or focused on God before change and growth can come. Time and patience must be factored in as well. Sometimes we will have to go around the same issues over and over again until the rough edges of our soul become smooth. As you let the Master mold you, remember, He will not take His eyes away from you. He will be with you every step of the way. Are you ready to surrender to Him?
TEXT:
Psalm 37:4; (TPT).
“Find your delight and true pleasure in Yahweh, and he will give you what you desire the most.”
Isaiah 64:8; (TPT).
“Yet still, Yahweh, you are our Father. We are like clay and you are our Potter. Each one of us is the creative, artistic work of your hands.”
Dear Child of Mine
Dear child of mine
I haven't much
in worldly wealth or gain,
but what I hope
to leave for you
is that which lessens pain.
What dreams you have
are not much good
until you live them out.
The thoughts within
are valueless
until you make them shout.
Like the potter,
Jesus knows
for you, what’s right and true.
With love He smooths your
every edge
to make a perfect “you”.
The Lord has fashioned
every detail;
since before the world began.
Let faith support
your hopes and dreams
and fill each of your plans.
Remember, also,
to be godly
to everyone you see.
And let the Lord
keep molding you;
in life, this is the key.
rdouglasveer ©date unknown
Strangers [8/22/2021]
INTRO:
Did you know that God will not strive with us forever? (See Genesis 6:3.) We each have “just so much time” on this earth to choose to follow God or reject Him. You see, in the days of Noah God waited patiently for the people to turn from their wicked ways; Noah preached repentance but the people were incorrigible; (see I Peter 3:20). So God left them to their own devices and then allowed the great flood to wipe them out.
We serve a God of restoration as well. In Isaiah, chapter 60 God looks to the future when the “fullness of the Gentiles” will have come and the Jews will then be converted to salvation in Christ. The Temple will be rebuilt and even foreigners and strangers will come from all around to help. God promises to end His wrath against Israel that she might be saved and restored.
God is always ready to receive all who come to him; and the gate of mercy is always open, night and day. We absolutely know this to be true because Jesus, in His mercy, came to save us all. What a blessed hope we have as believers in Christ. Is your soul in danger? Are you walking in rebellion? Do you need to come to Jesus to be saved and restored? Come, then, before it is too late.
TEXT:
Genesis 6:3; (AMP).
“Then the Lord said, "My Spirit shall not strive and remain with man forever, because he is indeed flesh [sinful, corrupt-given over to sensual appetites]; nevertheless his days shall yet be a hundred and twenty years."
Isaiah 60:10; (KJV).
"And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favor have I had mercy on thee."
Strangers
The sons of strangers shall build up your walls
and their kings shall be your slaves.
Their gates shall be continually open, not shut
to you by night or by day.
You shall call the walls by the name, salvation,
and the name of your gates shall be praise.
The sons of strangers shall build up your walls
and their kings shall be your slaves.
He will change your iron into silver;
He will change your brass into gold.
Their sons shall yield on bended knees;
at the soles of your feet they shall bow.
Strangers shall work to plow your fields
and their sons shall feed your sheep.
The Spirit of the Lord is strong upon me,
with an anointing to preach to the meek.
God brought His wrath on you, Israel
for you did not honor the Lord.
But His anger will pass when the new day has dawned
and His mercy upon you He’ll pour.
And the sons of strangers shall build up your walls
and their kings shall be your slaves.
You shall call the walls by the name, salvation,
and the name of your gates shall be praise.
rdouglasveer ©date unknown
Refiner's Fire [8/8/2021]
INTRO:
The “prosperity gospel” is over-emphasized today. At the same time, none of us is exempt from suffering and suffering, unfortunately, is the quickest way to spiritual maturity. In order to die to ourselves and more fully surrender to Christ we will have to pay a price and it will usually involve suffering. James said, “Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing,” (James 1:2-4; (AMP). Do you really think that insisting on having your own way is better than the path God would have for your life? If you skip out on God’s directives you will miss out on the most fantastic of plans He has set aside for you. Remember, the character He is forming in you is more precious than gold!
TEXT:
Jeremiah 9:6b, 7; (GNT).
“The Lord says that his people reject him. Because of this the Lord Almighty says, ‘I will refine my people like metal and put them to the test.
My people have done evil—what else can I do with them?’”
Malachi 3:2,3; (GNT).
“2. . . Who will be able to survive when he [the Lord] appears? He will be like strong soap, like a fire that refines metal. 3 He will come to judge like one who refines and purifies silver. As a metalworker refines silver and gold, so the Lord's messenger will purify . . .”
Job 23:10; (ESV).
“But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.”
James 1:12; (ESV).
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”
Refiner’s Fire
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 saved human race.
As I look at His crucified Son’s Calvary,
humbled am I by what He did for me.
Broken was Christ where I should have been;
before the whole world He was crushed for my sin;
melted and poured in what seemed to be waste,
He took the refining fire in my place.
Into the depths of man’s hate and scorn
went Christ the Savior, God’s only born.
to purify me from my sin and my shame,
my Savior redeemed me, though I was to blame.
But now, God in love, wants to cleanse me too,
so I can be part of what Jesus went through.
And the refiner’s fire will burn from within
the dross and the waste from my life of sin.
Heat me, oh God, in the refiner’s fire.
Burn out the man who has lived as a liar.
Refine me as silver for Your holy use;
refine me in fires of Your holy truth.
Make me, oh God, as a vessel worthwhile,
made of pure silver by Your holy fire.
Melt me and pour me; make me Your own.
Use me, oh God, near to Your holy throne.
rdouglasVeer©5/1/02
the lighthouse [7/25/2021]
INTRO:
Jesus made several claims about who He is but he faced a lot of opposition. For instance, in John, chapter eight, the Pharisees (legalistic keepers of the Law) took great offense at Jesus’ words. They accused Him of boasting about being the “light of the world” and they said His claim was “invalid”. But Jesus claimed to be so much like the Father that if you saw him you will have seen the Father, (see John 14:7-10). In another place Jesus said He is the way, truth, and life and no one can come to the Father except through Him, (see John 14:6). Yes, Jesus is very much the light of the world and He is mankind’s only true hope amidst the ever encroaching darkness. Do you know Him? It is His will that none should perish. That includes you . . . the day of salvation is now.
TEXT:
John 8:12; (ESV).
“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’”
2 Corinthians 6:1-2; (TPT).
Paul's Ministry
1 Now, since we are God's coworkers, we beg you not to take God's marvelous grace for granted, allowing it to have no effect on your lives.
2 For he says, I listened to you at the time of my favor. And the day when you needed salvation, I came to your aid. So can't you see? Now is the time to respond to his favor! Now is the day of salvation!
Matthew 5:16; (ESV).
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
The Lighthouse
Over the land and out to sea
a beaming brightness of light can be seen.
It crowns the waves with a brilliant white
to help the sea tossed sailors at night,
lost in a foaming, frothing place, far out on the ocean.
Fighting the fears and perils there
from a biting darkness everywhere,
without a hope of e'er being saved
from the blackness of this fearful place;
lost in a briny twilight there where fear is the only emotion.
Oh, how many a life has been seen
to be swept away to eternity;
a dark void shrouds familiar places,
never again to see the loving faces
of mothers, fathers, daughters, and sons, gone forevermore.
Oh, that a light in the darkness may be
a way to show real promise for me;
a way to find shelter and peace and hope
tied with a cord of a strong faithful rope;
safely tied in a harbor eternal, on a warm and peaceful shore.
The ships are so torn and tossed about
by the power the ocean so wildly flouts,
causing many to sink sadly there
ending in sorrowful, lonely despair,
out on the cold windswept ocean, where a life is torn apart.
While somewhere in sadness a Captain cries,
"Hold on, hold on, and look for the light.
Thus cometh our source. Don't give up on help.
Steer hard for the light above yonder swell,
where the waves grow small and the light is from God's heart.”
When all in life is peaceful and well
our willful ways lead us to dwell
amidst the dark of the storm tossed waves
where demons and devils so wickedly play,
but once the ship is sinking, we call, "Oh, Captain. Help us!”
We cannot find our way alone.
We're willing now to trust, but more
than often it tends to turn out like this
that we go down on a sinking ship;
our loved ones being the drowning crew that surrounds us.
Why do we linger and fight the swells?
Why so determined to go down to hell?
His light so faithfully shines the way
o'er each tem-pest-u-ous crushing wave.
Since time beyond time, the light has shown His devotion.
There stands the lighthouse of Jesus Christ.
For years He's been reaching toward mankind.
The light of God’s love hung atop a hill
was calling us to safety, “Come, if you will,
out of the darkened seas of sin; out of the worldly ocean.”
Over the land and out to sea
the brightness of his light can be seen
It crowns the waves with a brilliant white
to help the sin tossed sailors at night
lost in a wildly raging place; lost out in the lonely world.
Stop fighting the fears and perils out there.
The lighthouse will calm your every care.
Come to the Captain and be fully saved
from the ocean of sin so dark and enslaved,
where sails of sin tossed ships in need, can finally be unfurled.
High on a hilltop called Calvary,
once hung a light for all the world to see,
from ages past to this present day,
wherever you roam, Jesus will lead the way.
He is a living lighthouse that shows the way back home.
rdouglasveer©11/20/01
phone call from heaven [7/11/2021]
INTRO:
Someone once said, “Missing someone is your heart's way of reminding you that you love them." So many in our world today are hurting. There are wars still being fought; poverty and violence claim many lives; drugs are deceiving many into a premature death; we have sicknesses like COVID; many more are feeling depressed and hopeless. But there is a God in heaven who offers hope to anyone who asks. The Bible says He is not willing that any should perish, (see 2 Peter 3:9). And He reminds us in His Word that he loves us, dearly. Consider the following Scriptures from the Amplified Bible unless otherwise noted:
TEXT:
Psalm 147:3
“He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds [healing their pain and comforting their sorrow].”
Isaiah 66:13a
“As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you . . .”
Psalm 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength [mighty and impenetrable],
A very present and well-proved help in trouble.”
Isaiah 40:11; (NLT).
“He will protect His flock like a shepherd, He will gather the lambs in His arm, He will carry them in His bosom; He will gently and carefully lead those nursing their young.”
Psalm 56:8
“You have taken account of my wanderings; Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not recorded in Your book?”
Psalm 42:11; (NLT).
“Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God!”
Revelation 21:4
[A loud voice from the throne said] “. . . and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be death; there will no longer be sorrow and anguish, or crying, or pain; for the former order of things has passed away.”
Phone Call From Heaven
When I wake up in the mornin’
and I hear the telephone ring,
a tear falls down from my eye
but I don’t feel anything.
Where does the sun rise?
Is it beautiful today?
I wish you were here to tell me.
I know what you would say . . .
Just a phone call from heaven,
to hear your voice again.
I wasn’t through talking to you.
Why did it have to end?
Just a phone call from heaven,
to say you’re doing fine.
Even though you’re not beside me
you’re always on my mind.
In the kitchen I can hear your words
spoken, oh so clear.
And in the fields I hear your laughter
and it sounds so very near.
My heart aches to see your face again
or touch you one more time.
Soon I know I’ll be with you
and the answers I will find.
Just a phone call from heaven,
to hear your voice again.
I wasn’t through talking to you.
Why did it have to end?
Just a phone call from heaven,
to say you’re doing fine.
Even though you’re not beside me
you’re always on my mind.
The Lord will take good care of you
in the beauty of His place.
I trust that He will lead me through
‘till we’re standing face to face.
My heart aches to be with you
or touch you one more time.
'Til I'm walking right beside you,
you are always on my mind.
©rdouglasveer; date unknown
For Dads Only [6/20/2021]
INTRO:
There’s an old saying: “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” While we do inherit our parents’ genes we also inherit their behaviors by how they “model” themselves. There are many Bible verses that encourage us to walk uprightly, with integrity, not only for our own good outcomes, but for our children as well. Proverbs 20:7 says, “The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them,” (NLT). Many homes today are missing either a Father or a Father’s good character. If you are a dad, please consider taking an inventory of yourself. Maybe you don’t know God. Maybe you do but you’ve fallen away from Him. It’s up to you to realize that you can break the cycle. You can begin serving the Lord, today. And by doing so, you will make a tremendous, positive difference in your family life. Joshua was determined to serve God: “. . . as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord,” (Joshua 24:15b; KJV). Need some advice? God wants you to grow wise so you can live a blessed, abundant life. Look for His counsel daily through His Word. Then bring up your children with the same principles. They will thank you for it. Here is a Father’s Instruction from Proverbs 4:1-9, (TPT):
TEXT:
1 Listen to my correction, my sons, for I speak to you as your father. Let discernment enter your heart and you will grow wise with the understanding I impart.
2 My revelation-truth is a gift to you, so remain faithful to my instruction.
3 For I, too, was once the delight of my father and cherished by my mother—their beloved child.
4 Then my father taught me, saying, “Never forget my words. If you do everything that I teach you, you will reign in life.”
5 So make wisdom your quest—search for the revelation of life’s meaning. Don’t let what I say go in one ear and out the other.
6 Stick with wisdom and she will stick to you, protecting you throughout your days. She will rescue all those who passionately listen to her voice.
7 Wisdom is the most valuable commodity—so buy it! Revelation-knowledge is what you need—so invest in it!
8 Wisdom will exalt you when you exalt her truth. She will lead you to honor and favor when you live your life by her insights.
9 You will be adorned with beauty and grace, and wisdom’s glory will wrap itself around you, making you victorious in the race.
For Dads Only
Three-hundred and sixty-five days a year
there are birthdays or Christmas or other days of cheer.
It seems as if there’s always something to do
to remember me, or remember you.
Fourth-of-July or Easter or Lent;
there are always presents or cards to be sent.
And sometimes it’s not a yearly event
such as leap-year, to tell us where four years have went.
Presidential birthdays are found there too,
and the calendar reminds us what celebrating to do.
New-year and Halloween or the first day of Spring
are some of the reasons we find reason to sing.
There are songs about Mothers, and even some poems
but I don’t want you, Father, to feel left alone,
because this day is yours and I am so glad.
I’m so proud and happy to call you my Dad.
I hope you enjoy every minute
celebrating this Father’s Day!
rdouglasveer
Footprint In The Sand [6/6/2021]
INTRO:
Many of us have read that wonderful poem called, Footprints. From those words we discover how God carries us when we can’t go any further. The truth is, God truly cares for us. We know that for sure because He sent his only Son to die in our place for our sins and offenses. If Jesus laid down His life for you and me, wouldn’t He also freely give us what we ask for? (As long as we don’t ask “amiss”.) We serve a good God!
TEXT:
Romans 8:32; (NLT)
Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won't he also give us everything else?
Footprint In The Sand
There's a footprint in the sand
by the seaside of Galilee,
and as I step into it
I find it's too big for me.
It's the footprint of Jesus
made two thousand years ago.
It's the footprint of the Son of man,
and I love him so.
As I walk along the seashore
where my Savior’s feet have walked,
I wish I could hear Him speaking;
I wish I could hear him talk.
A hush comes over all the sea
where its rushing meets the shore,
and a vision comes in from the waves
as He walks the sands once more.
I can almost hear Him speaking;
I can almost hear His voice,
while a choir of angels hover near
and my Lord begins to talk.
He says, "Child I'll walk this way again
any time you want me to.
After being nailed to Calvary,
I'll do anything for you."
And a hush comes over all the sea
where its rushing meets the shore,
and a vision comes in from the waves
as He walks the sands once more.
© rdouglasVeer 6/2/2012
My Everything . . . My Best [5/23/2021]
INTRO:
Oh, that one who comes to God in honesty and brokenness over his sins is precious in the sight of the Lord. And God is faithful to extend His forgiveness to such a one, we are told in First John. In fact, being saved means God forgives all of our sins, past, present and future. “In Him we HAVE redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace,” (Eph. 1:7, NKJV). The Greek verb for “have” is in the present tense, which indicates continuing action; we are continually having forgiveness of sins, including every sin we will ever commit. Also consider Colossians 2:13b-14, “God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave ALL our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.”
So does that mean we can do anything we want to because we’re off the hook? Paul asks, “Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? Of course not!” (Romans 6:1-2a; NLT). As Christians, we must be willing to put sin to death. Ah, but there is the stickler: are we really willing? Remember: the greater the surrender, the deeper the walk. It’s up to you.
TEXT:
2 Corinthians 7:10; (NLT).
“For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.”
1 John 1:9; (TPT).
“But if we freely admit our sins when his light uncovers them, he will be faithful to forgive us every time. God is just to forgive us our sins because of Christ, and he will continue to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Psalm 34:18; (NLT).
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”
My Everything . . . My Best
The day I first found Jesus
something came into my soul.
It felt like lightning striking;
it was like I was made whole.
All my fears and sorrows melted
in the Holy presence of Him.
I had been forgiven fully;
forgiven of all my sins.
The years passed by so quickly
but again, the world drew me in.
My passion for God grew dimmer
as my heart began to sin.
The good that I once carried
to the alter regularly
now had become my worldliness
and I wasted it all on me.
Now I stand before you, Jesus,
with broken heart in hand,
and ask you, “Will you forgive me,
and hold me close again?”
I know it isn’t much, dear Lord,
compared to what you gave,
but I promise to follow you faithfully
from this day to the grave.
I want to come back into your arms,
and in your presence rest.
I offer you completely,
my everything . . . my best.
rdouglasVeer 12/16/07
Momma Prayed [5/9/2021]
INTRO:
Do you remember the story about the prodigal son? He was wasteful and extravagant and he squandered his inheritance on wild living. His parents were distraught over it, I’m sure. Though the Bible doesn’t say, they must have both prayed for him “without ceasing”. The Bible does tell us that the boy finally came to his senses. He humbled himself before his dad and his heavenly Father. He admitted his mistakes and came home to face the consequences. His dad welcomed him back with open arms! Do you have a wayward child? Then pray and don’t give up because God answers prayers. (Thank God for Moms who pray!)
TEXT:
Luke 15:12, 13; 17-19; (NIV).
“. . . Father, give me my share of the estate . . . Not long after that . . . he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living . . . When he came to his senses, he said . . . Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.”
Momma Prayed
Much too soon, I was on my own
leaving what Momma had taught me at home.
Many times, how I wished to go back
where I knew that Momma would get me on track.
But my back was stiff and my head was hard
the day I left from Momma’s back yard.
I wouldn't listen to what I'd been told
was waiting for me not far "down the road".
I made up my mind that very day
that I could do it all, “my own way".
I had no need for any-one.
It was time for me to kick up some fun.
Yeah, some “fun” it turned out to be
when the world started giving its licks to me.
I learned to smoke and drink and more
and soon it was drugs I was trying to score.
So many times I have laid and thought
of how much sorrow that I had brought
to Momma there at home (so good)
worrying for me like I knew she would.
I didn't know that back at home
when Momma had time to be alone
she was praying down upon her knees
asking God through her tears to watch over me.
Those days and nights that turned into years
were soaked in Momma’s precious tears
'cause while I was doing "what-ever I would"
Momma was doing "all that she could".
Well, that was then and this is now
and an unlimited God knew just how
to bring me to an alter one day
because my Momma knew how to pray.
Dear Momma, I know I've brought hurt to you
and long and lonely sleepless nights too.
But while you were doing “all that you could”,
God turned my soul from evil to good.
© rdouglasVeer 11/19/1997