(C) Cheryl Howard 2009

The filth, the stain, the stench of sin

It clings to man, foul rot within.

Held captive in our minds and hearts

By its grip on us, from our life’s start.

 

 

We cannot shift it from our lives

Though we struggle and fight, against it strive.

In a prison bound by self and pride

Our anarchy and rebellion keeps us trapped inside.

 

 

Into this pit came Incarnate GOD

HIS brilliant Light piercing through our fog.

The Blood of CHRIST dying on a Cross

Alone can cleanse, bring pure gold from our dross.

 

 

HE turns our lives utterly inside out

As we lay down our ‘self’ and of HIS glory shout.

Our crosses gladly shouldered each day

Following HIM with single will – to honour and obey.

 

 

HE will return for a spotless, glorious bride

One who’s loved HIM in purity and walked by HIS side.

A people of power who’ve shown HIS love to the needy

Seen HIM free bound captives, spurned all that is greedy

 

 

The call of The CHRIST, the cost of the Cross

In the power of HIS SPIRIT, reconciling the lost.

Proclaiming in reverence HIS Holy Word – HE is Incarnate GOD!

Fearless and uncompromising, as in HIS footsteps we have trod!

 

 

 

 

thought for the journey …

 

John 12:25-26 “He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves ME, let him follow ME; and where I am, there MY servant will be also. If anyone serves ME, him MY FATHER will honor.”

 

The ‘Call of The Cross’ - what a challenge it is, the laying down of our lives, of our will and ambitions; and the taking up of HIS desires, HIS purposes - of HIS heart! The overflowing gratitude for a life rescued, redeemed and reborn!

 

1 Peter 1:17-19 “And if you call on The FATHER, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay in fear; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things like silver or gold from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the Precious Blood of CHRIST, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot.”

 

How sobering and liberating is the knowledge that HE Alone is the One to whom we will give an account - HE Alone is the One we should be living to please. For HE Alone is the One who redeemed our lost lives, who ‘brought’ us back from the brink of hell and who ‘bought’ us back with HIS own Precious Blood - at the cost of HIS very own Life!

We have sooo much to live for in HIM, The Cross should be at the center of our lives - The Risen CHRIST of The Cross!

Let us rejoice and give HIM all the glory - for HIS Cross; for HIS calling of us and for HIS saving grace, for a new life in HIM! We have such a future, such a hope - let us not keep it to ourselves, but let our hearts burn with HIS heart for all humanity;let it overflow our lives and our lips, proclaiming loud The Good News in CHRIST JESUS!

Let us bear those precious souls GOD has intersected our lives with in prayer, knowing “HE is willing that NONE should perish”, and intercede on their behalf - that CHRIST, by HIS SPIRIT, will invade their lives, and that The FATHER will draw them to HIS SON - to the Cross of HIS SON!

 

John 6:44 “No one can come to ME, unless The FATHER who sent ME draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

John 12:32-33 “‘And I, if I am lifted up from the earth will draw all peoples to MYSELF!’ This HE said, signifying by what death HE would die.”