I AM NOT

I AM NOT

John 1:20

“He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, 

‘I am not the Christ.’”

“What do you say about yourself?” they demanded!

John answered and boldly confessed, “I am naught.”

“Who are you, though? Answer us!” they commanded.

“I am not the Messiah people long have sought.”

“Are you the prophet Moses spoke about?

Who do you claim to be, someone important, no doubt?”

“Why baptize if you're not the Messiah?” they asked.

“Strange fire in the wilderness you seem to be.

Are you the promised Elijah, come at long last?”

Wearing a gunny sack, he said, “Only what you see.”

“How then do you draw such adhering crowds,

But rail at us with voice so harsh and loud?"

“I'm a voice in the desert crying ‘Prepare for the Lord!’

He is coming in judgment that is fiery hot.

Seeing the Spirit rest on Him was my reward.

I point to Him because He is and I am not.

Fall on your knees, and from your sinful ways depart.

Prepare the way; prepare the road; prepare your heart.”

http://thinkinginthespirit.blogspot.com/

http://theanchorofthesoul.blogspot.com/

http://watchinginprayer.blogspot.com/

http://writingprayerfully.blogspot.com/

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WHEN THE LIGHT CAME

 

 

John 3:19-21

And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

 

WHEN THE LIGHT CAME

 

We had lived in darkness time out of mind,

Cowering deep in the quagmire of blame,

Hoping other hearts were spiritually blind,

Lest they highlight our endemic shame.

Then God’s light flashed across Earth’s horizon.

Men shied from His glare from pole to pole.

He searches our darkened heart condition

With His light unveiling our sinful souls.

 

Now into some hearts the light has slipped,

The deep secrets of their lives disclosed.

Falling to their knees they wept and worshipped.

From every crevasse God’s light now glows.

They now rejoice in the shining light,

God’s gift of forgiveness revealing.

Renewal comes as God removes the blight.

They project forgiveness and love’s deep healing

 

The light is now knocking at your own heart. 

Could you conceal what God already knows?

When God’s light enters the darkness departs.

When He fills your life His glory you’ll show.

I plan to add this poem to the book Contemplating The Gospel which will have crucial word studies, poems and short stories written about truths taught in The Gospel of John.

http://thinkinginthespirit.blogspot.com/

http://theanchorofthesoul.blogspot.com/

http://watchinginprayer.blogspot.com/

http://writingprayerfully.blogspot.com/

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PRAY FOR SPIRITUAL PEACE

We are certainly living in disturbing times. People are admitting loneliness at greater and greater rates, and grieving over disappointment and unhappiness. Especially in the West, suicides are at an all-time high. We continue to see increasing violence including church and school shootings. Families, churches and cities are bitterly divided. And yes, Jesus told us to beware of false prophets who would come to us like wolves in sheep’s clothing. In Acts 20 Paul warned the church that fierce wolves would come in among them. We do know that God is firmly in control, even in such days. In John 16:33 Jesus said, 

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Knowing these things, how do we pray? When Jesus sent the 72 out He told them to say, “peace be to this house” when you enter someone’s home. I try to pray for people around me wherever I go. God sometimes puts something specific in my mind to pray for them, but I nearly always pray for God's peace in their lives. I have begun praying for peace for the tellers at the bank and people standing in line. I pray the same for people lined up at the gas pumps around me and people walking their dogs on our street. This week I drove slowly through a housing addition. I did not see anyone, but I was able to pray for peace in every house. 

http://watchinginprayer.blogspot.com/

http://thinkinginthespirit.blogspot.com/

http://theanchorofthesoul.blogspot.com/

http://writingprayerfully.blogspot.com/

Website

http://daveswatch.com/

YouTube

https://goo.gl/PyzU

Amazon Author Central page.

RAIN ON THE BARN ROOF

Angry drops dash against the windowpane.

A flag whips out stiff against tumbling skies.

Intermittent gusts strafe the house with rain.

Crows flee the weather with their high harsh cries.

I peer out into the threatening squall,

The sky dimming in the hastening pall.

I remember such storms from my childhood.

Pulling galoshes on over my shoes,

Donning my coat and cinching up the hood,

I'd dash through the barnyard shaking the blues,

My shouts of laughter hardly subtle, 

Not even trying to dodge a puddle.

Wrenching the barn door out against the wind,

I'd escape into the quiet shelter,

Feed, manure, and leather in fragrant blend.

All light and sound the walls tend to filter.

Inside, the barn was dark and dry and warm.

There I would be protected from the storm.

I’d climb up into the sweet smelling hay,

My clumsy presence scattering a mouse.

Nestling down into the softness I'd stay 

In my secret place away from the house. 

Lying there in the hay I was weather proofed,

Listening to the rain drumming on the roof.

Now harsher storms reign in my heart and life,

Complex trials and recurring frustrations.

But in His presence I escape the strife.

God is my shelter in all situations.

In His warm embrace I can stand the strain. 

There storms melt into the rhythm of the rain. 

This poem was published in the book Take Me To The Garden.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YSVLW24/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i10

Amazon Author Central page.