Don’t Forget the Soap

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I have a baking sheet that is used more often than I’d like to admit whether it be for frozen pizzas, mozzarella sticks, chicken bites, or French fries. Usually when I’m done with it, I just scrub away the grime with water and let it dry. Built-up grease (like in a cast iron skillet) is supposed to add more flavor to future meals, right? Ok, maybe not. But, occasionally I realize it’s time to use soap, too. No matter how hard I scrub, the soap cleans the pan in a way water alone cannot.

God works in our hearts and minds with a power I do not possess in the same way soap washes away germs in a way water cannot. No matter how hard I scrub to wash away the struggles within myself, I need God’s power and cleansing to do the job only He can do. So, before you scrub yourself into exhaustion, use a little soap. Trust God for the deep cleansing. Surrender that part of the job to Him. Don’t forget the soap.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

Focus

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Worrying about the news

Relationship problems

Financial stress

Personal ambitions

Past or potential pain

Only distracts our minds

From where we should place our aim

This world is temporary

And so are all these things

Instead share His heart

His love and presence

Our only truly valuable gain

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?” Matthew 6:25

Patience

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I pleaded with You

Told You I was stuck and needed You

But each time, it took years for my rescue

Were You waiting on me?

Were You not listening?

Or were you preparing me, teaching me

My grace is sufficient for thee?

“For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee…”

2 Corinthians 12:8-9…

Heaven’s Timeline

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Empty this vessel

Until it’s ready to be filled

By only your Spirit

And heaven’s will

My needs, my wants

Mean not a thing

When all my desires

Are born from my King

You keep watch

You’ve numbered my days

Fulfilling Your purpose

Through each promise displayed

Thankful

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Thankful my seed of faith doesn’t die

No matter how hard the evil one tries

To discourage, defeat and cast doubt

The Lord empowers new fruit to sprout

Obstacles turn to opportunities

To further His heavenly plan

All outcomes remain surrendered

As we joyfully walk hand in hand

Reflection

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I often don’t stop talking long enough to hear your reply.

I don’t sit still long enough to receive your direction.

I pace and worry and try to make things happen on my own.

I doubt and question and fail to see You sitting on the throne.

I confess my sins to the world but do I proclaim your glory?

Do I trust in your forgiveness enough to proclaim your salvation story?

His Kingdom

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Set your life aside

Do not love only those who love you back

For sinners do the same

Do not complain about service

Do everything in my name.

Give your worries to me

There is much work to do

My kingdom is coming

I am making all things new

“If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much.” Matthew 5:46

Beloved

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You don’t have to carry

The weight of who you’ve been

You don’t have to carry

The weight of who you are

When you place your identity in me

I will use every part of you

Every gift, every scar

You don’t have to weigh your worth

Your worth is mirrored in Me

You are priceless, purposed, redeemed

Live in my joy, rest in my safety

Walk in my Spirit

We have much further to go

I am yours, you are Mine

My beloved, blessed, betrothed.

“I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me In righteousness and justice, In lovingkindness and mercy;” Hosea 2:19

Do’s and Dont’s

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Don’t look for others’ sin

Look for the Savior

Don’t worry about the clothes you’re in

Trust only God’s favor

Don’t contemplate the days ahead

Surrender today’s trials and behavior

Edify

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Edify by Your Spirit

Until the rivers of conviction

Knock us down

But You don’t place us there

To drown, but to be found

You reveal what’s in the heart

But not to condemn

It’s an invitation to repent

If we choose to let You in

“And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.” Ezekiel 36:26

Life in the Spirit

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Words are just words

Until Your Spirit breathes life into them

Actions run circles

Until You give them aim

Happiness and fear can both be

self-seeking (One in the same)

Value is found in surrender

Seeds start to grow when planted by faith

Circumstances fade as You become clearer

Sinners hear Your call

When spoken in love, not shame

To My Boys

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The Christmas songs can be annoying

The planning and prepping

Event attending

May feel unending

But my biggest gift is making these memories with you

Each Christmas marks a year in time

In which you’ve grown taller 

You’re tastes and gift requests differ

Your voices deepen

Your independence increases

And One day not far away 

You’ll be beside your own tree

And I’ll treasure the gift these moments

Have given to me

Proverbs

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If you look to be fully and completely understood by another, you will find dissappointment.

God and God alone is the only one to provide us with full understanding.

That is the beauty of having a relationship with Him. You are fully known, fully understood and fully loved.

If you place your dependence and security on a person, place or thing, you will find uncertainty and fear. For the world is flawed and broken. But He has overcome the world, so we are safe to depend on Him.

Do not match an eye for an eye but walk uprightly looking to His Holy Spirit for your direction, not to others motives.

Do not judge others’ hearts. For just as He is working in yours, we do not know the wonders He is doing in the hearts of others as well.

Holy Ground

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Death, where is your sting?

We serve a God

Who endured your suffering

Fear, you have no power

For our God walks ahead

And holds each tomorrow

Worry, cease

Anxious thoughts, turn to peace

Self-will, look around

For this land you walk is Holy ground

So we will not fear

Our God is here

We will not tremble, nor shake

His purposes are at stake

And He never fails.

Revelations

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The earth proclaims your glory

The stars set stage for your plan

For the lost to be found, the blind to see

Deaf ears come to understand

May addictions be lifted

Confusion become clear

Earnest searching find answers

Distant hearts sense You near

Detours

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I sat in the back of the church praying my life would change.

My heart had so many needs, tears always stained my face

Twenty years later I visited the church again

My whole life was different, all thanks to Him

His timing was not what I expected with detours of hard lessons to learn

But I wouldn’t ask Him to do anything different since I saw his face at every turn.

Reliable

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There You are

My sturdy ground

When all the winds around me blow

You’re the anchor for my soul

Through smiles I feel Your joy

Through tears, I feel Your peace

 Roads ahead although unknown

Are unseen only to me

Your hand remains steady

Whether green grass or rocky stone 

Whatever griefs I may bear

I will not bear alone

Selfless

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Give me eyes to see your will

When I’m searching for my own

Discipline to quiet my emotions

When their source remains unknown

Give me love to share

When my mind is scared

Peace to embrace

When I feel out of place

Discernment to live by your Spirit

Instead of my own or others’ merit

Dichotomy of Life

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The tides wash over me

But I don’t drown

I walk through darkness

Yet I’m found

Your love pours down

I battle with demons

Yet You lend strength

My feet tread this world

But my spirit in grace

I see your face

Beautiful, wonderful

Glimpses of your heart

Too great to fathom

But this vision You impart

I’m not scared of the dark

Intelligent Design

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Creation speaks louder

When distractions lead to doubt

For the mountains proclaim His glory

And our hearts, for Him, cry out

The sea and sky

They testify

To the vastness of His hands

The moon and stars

They whisper

Of the unfathomable “I Am”

My Hiding Place

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I’m driven into your arms

Where I’m known and embraced

I’m driven to your heart

Where my tenderness is safe

“You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” Psalms 32:7-10

Daily Living

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We don’t need riches, fame or fun

We don’t need to create our own purpose

When You have already established one

It’s in the day to day living

We get to experience You

To share love and compassion with others

Until our time here is through

Write

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Writing is my Red Sea

The waters part when I step in

Faith and obedience

Prompting my pen

“Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” Deuteronomy 4:9

Break the Walls

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I built my walls on fear 

To protect me from the cold

To keep visitors at a distance

Feeling safer on my own

 

The Lord asked me to step out

To leave my dilapidated home

To led it fade from my vision

And trust in Him alone

One Word

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Just one word

Whispered to me

My pride is silenced

The road turns to peace

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

Isaiah 30:21

Freedom

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One drink led to twenty

Twenty led to years

No longer fun, my nightmare had won

And left me trembling in fear

A cunning ruler

Giving no mercy or peace

Yet I continued to serve it

Praying it’s rule would cease

Crouched in the dark, He led me out

He paved an escape route for me

No longer a slave, my freedom was won

Now I trust wherever He leads

If, Then

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If ignorant, make me wise

If hurried, give me pause

If blind, open my eyes

If selfish, state your cause

If the day calls for silence, mute me

If it is time for bold words, help me speak

If my heart trembles, bring stillness

If my faith weakens, lead me to belief

Heavenly Commander

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Faithful I will be

To follow where He leads

For I know his yoke is light

His provisions are my only need

When this life brings trouble

When the arrows fly

I will not cower in fear

For He remains by my side

A devoted soldier I’ll be

Whether I win or bleed

Surrendering to His battle plan

Guaranteeing His victory!

“The Lord your God is in your midst – a warrior bringing victory. He will create calm with his love; he will rejoice over
you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

Salvation

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Not in riches, not in debt

Not in busyness nor days of rest

Not in blessings nor past regret

Not in my future, not places I knew

Not in revelations nor trials I went through

No – my worth, my life, my salvation is found in You

Go and Tell

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Now rescue the others

Tell them what I’ve done

How healing came by my hand

And this victory I’ve won.

“Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.” Luke 8:39

Not Afraid

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If You lead me to dark places

You’ll give me power to shine your light

If life gets difficult and the weight is heavy

You’ll carry it with me

Through every sorrow and plight

Your will on earth is not hindered

By the will of any man

You preordained, saw beyond time

And worked it into your plan

So I am not afraid

You go before me

You light my stepping stones

I am not afraid

You are my confidence

To do Your will

No matter where I go

Psalm 23 Rendition

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Blessed beyond measure

Overflowing with joy

My cup runneth over

With the abundance

No earthly ail could destroy

The table is set

In glorious fashion

Within the sight of my enemies

You pull out the chair

Ask me to take a seat

And join You for a heavenly feast

“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” Psalm 23:5-6

His Help

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No addiction, no flaw

No matter how far you fall

He will take your brokenness

And mend it all

Surrender today

your futile attempts

Ask Him to rescue

And come to your defense

His love is great

His Spirit breaks chains

His grace covers shame.

Surrender to faith

In His unending strength.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-30

One Day at a Time

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In your hope, I live and breathe

I turn away from fear and find your peace

In your will, my purpose is seen

I turn away from self and find your serenity

“Go forth”, You say, “in confidence”

Carrying your strength, I need no defense

On a mission to love and provide

Hope for the hurting with no ill-will or pride

To live a life of service to others

Setting all selfish motives aside

I follow your footsteps one day at a time

Just Breathe

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Breath, just breath

Surrender your burdens

Inhale my peace

Rest, rest in Me

Cease your toiling

All your worries, release

Live, live joyfully

Exchange your sorrows

For the new life I give abundantly

Sweet Surrender

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You give hope when we reach the end of ourselves.

You give purpose when our own agenda fails.

You give peace when our world has come undone.

You use the impossible to display your power and love.

I surrender my life to You

No other satisfaction will do

You carry my burdens and impress upon my heart.

Your Word and promises are true.

His Bride

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Law breakers, low lifes, outcasts

Shunned and looked down upon

Those are the ones He dined with

The reason He rose the 3rd day by dawn

The penniless, the nobodys

The ones who could see their flaws

Those are the ones He traveled with

He won’t stop until He gathers them all.

“I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do”. John 17:14-16

Redemption

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I was lost in the abyss of life

But felt your calling in my heart

Unable to see the right path

You pulled me out of the dark

My rescuer, My Savior

You walk into the storms

You calm the waters all around me

And safely carry me to shore.

Lessons

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Let yourself feel the sorrow of loss

Entrust to Him all the hurt

For He disciplines those He loves

And holds your worth

Don’t try to run from it or numb it

Let it result in your spiritual gain

Sanctification oft includes sacrifice

So with hope in His healing, endure the pain.