Devotional Christian Poetry

Heart Talk . . .

How's your inbuilt referee?

Blowing the whistle

to get your attention?

The self corrector works

if we listen to hear . . .

Did you hear that?

Every situation it monitors

giving readouts.

How wonderfully it works

impartially keeping its eye on . . .

highlighting specks and logs, and

blind spots we need to see.

Such a wonderful protector

guiding us on journeys

of discovery.

Listen to your Heart . . .

It Won't Let You Down.

Reflection

If you suffer from any type of heart disease, managing it involves regular Dr's visits and pills. Your physical activities are hindered and no matter how good your fitness levels are, these conditions monitor your daily life.

Spiritually, the subject of heart dis-ease is an issue we all suffer from, though probably, don't want to admit to. It will manifest in different ways and times depending upon the circumstances which test it.

I recently asked God if I had forgiven a person who had done me wrong and God assured me I had, but, I had closed my heart. I thought I was over that whole situation because I had forgiven but found there was more work to be done.

It's amazing how science has produced tools to monitor our Heart rate, blood pressure, sugar levels, cholesterol and the information collected goes on record with our Dr. Medical records!

The status of our spiritual heart is often measured by what proceeds from our mouth or our responses to the tests of everyday life. Those present for the test see or hear the results and it goes on record in their memory. For us we get an instant readout and if we are listening to hear, we identify trends of behaviour identifying a certain heart condition.

The great thing is our referee is impartial and just reports the facts, good or bad, without emotion. We can become emotional about the facts we have to face and so can the recipients of our behaviours, but facts are facts. When a certain response continues to manifest, it reveals something is wrong and needs our attention. This is the time we need some Heart-Searchery. This is best done with the Holy Spirit doing the work.

I John 3:19‭-‬21 NKJV

And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God.

Our heart is our inbuilt referee of life and is on duty 24/7! Here's the thing, when the referee blows the whistle to alert us, will it fall on deaf ears? Heart-Searchery is the ability to have ears to hear what it's saying and not just to hear but take action. Referring back to my story about forgiving and finding out my heart was closed, the next question is to find out how to open it again.

We are all in this boat together and having the heart to share with each other, the process and progress we are making is one of the most encouraging things we can do.

Questions

# - Can you identify your referee and have you developed your listening ears which hear? Are you Journaling your progress?

# - Heart-Searchery, do you do it and treat it like weeding the garden? What do you do with the weeds?

# - Have you evaluated the segments of your heart and have you defined them?

Here's some amazing help for you; https://heartsyncministries.org/ (https://heartsyncministries.org/)

Searched . . .

Truths light searches

my heart chambers

as thoroughly as I allow.

The living lamp flushing

deep crevasses as the

Words read me

as I read them . . .

a reciprocal phenomenon!

Revelation and light

lift my feet.

They quicken my step

to tread new paths.

Words are the lamp . . .

Lighting My Pathway.

Reflection

I remember a conversation I had with a friend, years ago, about reading scripture. We discussed the reading plans we were using, the meaningful habit we both were doing and the revelations we received. It was a healthy discussion and very insightful.

I don't know what prompted me to make the following statement but it was unrehearsed and was almost nonchalantly said. I said that "I have discovered that I don't read the Bible, it reads me!"

We both laughed at the time, then started to take a deeper look at what was said. The ensuing discussion was very revealing because it challenged the purpose and habit of our reading plans. Sometimes an objective look at what we habitually do is a very healthy exercise.

The wonderful outcome of this discussion, which took some weeks to complete, was that we became far more aware and awake to ourselves and these words on the page. When I say the words read me, it's like they search my motives and heart and the ways I react or respond to what I am reading at the time.

I start to relate to how these words make me feel because these words affect my heart. They cause me to dig deeper and ask questions of myself. For example, when God quickens a verse related to what you are presently reading, often it moves the reader to a new experience. I enjoy it when God invites me to a deeper experience with Him because I know there is always more to experience in Him.

Imagine reading a chapter of text which becomes very personal as you identify with the message. The words can convey an invitation to you which actually sets you on an investigatory path to discover more.

Something I have started doing this year is reading a different translation during my devotional times. I have chosen the Passion Translation, and am amazed by the accurate way Brian Simmons has so beautifully translated the original text. He has put it into relatable language and I find it causes me to search into deeper understanding, thus really drawing me into God's heart.

If there is one simple message for us all it's that God wants a one on one relationship with each of us individually.

Here's His invitation.

This is why the Scriptures say: Things never discovered or heard of before, things beyond our ability to imagine — these are the many things God has in store for all his lovers.

1 Corinthians 2:9 TPT

Questions

# - What do you think about the statement "I don't read the Bible the words read me"? Give it some deeper thought.

# - I don't intend to be offensive but are you stuck in one translation of the Bible and can't read any other one, if so why?

# - How deeply do you allow the light of truth to search your innermost heart? Do you respond to the leading to the new path?

Some Verses

The spirit God breathed into man is like a living lamp, a shining light searching into the innermost chamber of our being.

Proverbs 20:27 TPT

Truth’s shining light guides me in my choices and decisions; the revelation of your Word makes my pathway clear.

Psalms 119:105 TPT

The Eyes Of . . .

God’s eyes search

to show Himself strong

on behalf of . . .

Have you ever mused

about what He's

looking for?

His favorite search is for

Hearts . . .

Ones loyal to Him.

The ones who above all

seek to do His will.

He will fortify

and come to their aid.

Strengthening them . . .

To Conquer!

Reflection

I am always searching for the wonderful clues God leaves us in His word. When He shares a clue, it always seems to have confirming scriptures and testimonies of how He backs up those who put these clues into action.

I am always challenged by the litmus tests of my heart as I respond or react to life's curveballs. When faced with any challenge, it's great to know how our responses reveal our hearts.

Responding in the flesh or spirit is immediately revealed to us as we go through these situations. In the above poem, which was written from the passage in II Chronicles 16:9 NKJV, we read how God searches and backs up those whose hearts are loyal to Him.

God knows us completely in every way and responds to our heart's whispers and thoughts in unique and unusual ways. There have been times when I have imagined something which only God could cause to happen and I just imagined it and didn't pray and ask Him about it.

A couple of weeks later the thing I imagined happened! I was God-smacked with what happened and couldn't stop smiling about the entire event. Other people have shared similar experiences with me. This sort of occurrence really underscores the words in Ephesians 3:20 Amplified version

Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us,

God searches for hearts and when we read through Psalms, we read about the emotional roller-coaster of a man whose heart is recorded in scripture; God raised up David to be king, for God said of him, ‘I have found in David, son of Jesse, a man who always pursues my heart and will accomplish all that I have destined him to do.’

Acts 13:22 TPT

This is an amazing verse when you consider the documented journey about David. It gives us great comfort to read between the lines that we can identify with David and his transparency about his life.

2022 I believe is a year for us as believers to draw closer to God Himself with our relationship to personalize it in a far deeper way. Don't fear Him searching your heart, instead, open it wide for Him.

Questions

# - Have ever spent time meditating on what God looks for and is seeking IN US not from us?

Can you list scripture that highlights this?

# - Can you identify times when you have imagined …… only to have it happen soon after?

# - Do you draw comfort from the life of David as expressed in the Psalms as you identify with his responses and reactions?

The Quest . . .

Born again into . . .

Discovering the ultimate

relationship of mystery

and wonder.

To KNOW You, as we dance

with the music and rhythm

of life.

Your intricate nuances

we experience as

You reveal Yourselves.

Three parts of ONE,

each unique and complimentary.

You hold us to your heart,

and we discover

the Oneness You desire

as we . . .

Hide Ourselves In You!

Reflection

Welcome to the new year of 2022. It's a new year in the journey of eternity and also a new challenge to explore and experience deeper levels of relationship with God.

Have you ever really identified what you were Born Again into? Was it to a new belief systemically broken up into different theologies or doctrinal flavors, or did you meet the person of God? Here's the thing, most of us meet the person of God and then learn how to walk with a system or a doctrinal vision.

I remember when I was first Born Again and one morning as I walked across the paddock to bring the cows in for milking, God spoke to me. He made this statement, "Now you have the choice to either walk with Me or walk with the church". I was only about 4 weeks old in my faith and had no idea what He meant. As an exuberant young believer I responded with a question, "What does THAT MEAN", because I had not been introduced to all the hoops I had to jump through.

God then said something I have never forgotten. "If you walk with Me you will have trouble with the church and if you walk with the church you will have trouble with Me!" Unfortunately, because of my personal insecurities of needing to be accepted, I learned how to do both.

The more we discover God and His many nuances, the fire inside of us is ignited to know Him more. The relationship we personally have with Him is enhanced by His word and our experience of Him grows.

Have you ever immersed yourself in the scriptures and really asked God to make them a reality to you? Have you experienced verses like Eph 3:20 as is written in the amplified version?

Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us,

Ephesians 3:20 AMP

I love the words "dare ask or think" because it's almost like we are too timid to ask and prove God at His word.

Ultimately, as believers, we grow to a place where we desire more and more of Him. The experience of knowing Him becomes deeper and we become dissatisfied and empty, engaging in religious activities that have proven to be shallow.

When Paul was writing to the Philippian church, in verse 9+10 he writes

and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,

Philippians 3:9‭-‬10 NKJV

A word study of the word to Know, is the Greek word Ginosko which means having a personal experience, i.e., to personally, intimately, and experientially know something. We aren’t called to understand God, and if you try to understand God you will go mad. Instead, we are called to Ginosko Him (to experience Him in a personal and intimate way).

When reading through the above 2 verses, Paul is being transparent with them and explaining the deeper relationship he personally is longing for and encourages us to do the same. This letter to the Philippian church is one of encouragement to experience God one on one.

There are some challenging words in verse 10, I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings. These words, the fellowship of His sufferings, are the poignant reminder of the feelings of God. Have you ever considered God's feelings?

We receive brief

Here is a testimony today of a Poem God asked me to write. He dictated it to me and, as you listen, you will hear the consequences of what happened.

It never ceases to amaze me What God does and how His love reaches out to us no matter what our circumstances or state of heart we are in.

Enjoy.

As One . . .

In perfected unity

Head and Heart become ONE.

Respecting and honoring

divinely designed differences.

The simultaneous equation

of marriage . . .

where both sides

cancel themselves

yet equal the same!

Unity on steroids where

deferring to each other

and making space

is normal practice.

One investigates the other feels

Now . . .

Both Understand!

Reflection

God knew what He was doing when He created man and woman and it's significant the woman was created from a man's rib. I'm sure there has been much debate over which side the rib was taken from. Regardless of which side the general agreement is, the rib was taken from an area close to the heart.

Essentially, both need each other as they balance the other. We all need balance in everything in life. I use the analogy of the sport of lawn Bowls where an individual Bowling ball has a bias on one side by design. When it's released from the hand it has a "borrow" on it which causes it to roll on an arc towards the target of either the small white Jack or another ball.

If the intention is to break up the collection of the other Bowls around the Jack, the bowler holds the Bowl at right angles to the biased side. This cancels the borrow and the Bowl can be driven at the target and when released, it goes straight where it's aimed.

A man, the Head, by design is a thinker, problem solver, fix it person who is generally unemotional in his response to situations. On the other hand a woman, the Heart, feels life and struggles to articulate or be able to explain how she feels. They then point fingers at each other rather than combine their innate abilities to discuss their issues. Simple questions like, what do you think about this and the other, how do you feel or how does this feel, should be part of any decision making process.

Back to the analogy, the same Bowl has two parts designed into it to perform different functions. Here's the thing, looking at a game of Bowls, tactics of drawing the shot or driving it are all invested in the same Bowl. The wonderful aspect of this is when a couple can identify and appreciate their oneness, they become very powerful and more productive as One!

In the poem, I use the analogy of a mathematical term, a Simultaneous Equation. This analogy can be used the same way as the design of the Bowl and I deliberately compare them so you get the full picture.

Oneness can be used for many different applications and circumstances, and when you understand the principle and how it works the possibilities are endless.

Questions

# - Which analogy helped you understand the principle of Oneness?

# - Do you now understand the design differences and can you embrace them together and see the balance you need each other for? How will you incorporate that principle in your problem-solving strategies?

# - Can you imagine how having a new respect for each other is going to bring a new deeper relationship to you both? Explain to each other how that will look like and work.

Genesis 2:24 AMP

Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and shall become united and cleave to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

A Part or Apart . . .

A part of a body and

uniquely yourself.

The singular corporate self.

We are BOTH . . .

that's the truth!

A part of something bigger

with our special contribution

making up the whole!

We can't go it alone

even if we want to jump ship.

Going for a ride in a Whale

is not the way forward.

We NEED EACH OTHER.

What can I give or say,

who will listen,

where do I fit?

Being part of a whole,

though both are fractured,

is learning how

to join the dots . . .

Of Humility!

Reflection

This poem is a deliberate play on words that contrast a truth about or relationship WITH aspects of life and people. I talk about relationships WITH because we are one body of Christ as scripture teaches us.

Have you ever considered yourself as being part of a movement?

One of the biggest challenges we face is being accepted and received in the circles we mix in. This also includes acceptance in the families we marry into and the Churches we flow in. It doesn't take too many knockbacks from any individual or group before we start to see ourselves as misfits.

When this comes to our relationship with God, often we struggle with the issues of our life we are working through that stops us from receiving or accepting God's love for us. We feel unworthy and put all kinds of barriers of yes buts between us and God.

The following verse reveals the heart of God towards every one of us. We are adopted and as the NKJV states, we are accepted IN THE BELOVED!

Ephesians 1:5‭-‬6 TPT

For it was always in his perfect plan to adopt us as his delightful children, through our union with Jesus, the Anointed One, so that his tremendous love that cascades over us would glorify his grace —for the same love he has for the Beloved, Jesus, he has for us. And this unfolding plan brings him great pleasure!

Ultimately we need to develop an honest opinion and an inner security about ourselves. I believe the knockbacks drive us into the heart of God to find our security in Him. The sooner we develop this security and find our identity IN CHRIST the better we are for it.

Something I want to highlight to you is the wonderful English language we use. The word part of means, that which involves a person in a particular role or situation, probably we could use the word included here. When I use the word apart this as an adjective means separation from. We are part of the whole body of Christ and scripture uses very descriptive words and examples to highlight and demonstrate this. In Romans 11:19 + 23 the horticultural term grafted in is used.

If the words, apart are used, we could substitute the words not included. I know that this could be viewed as being pedantic but I wanted to make the distinction.

Questions

# - Do you know in your heart that you are accepted in the Beloved or is this just information?

# - Have you experienced being apart from your group because of a difference in doctrine or experience with your faith? How do you handle this emotionally?

# - When meeting someone who has different revelations about the faith you share, how readily do you accept their differences? Do you become accepting, opinionated or judgemental about this and possibly place them in the "apart" box?

When it comes to marriage we marry our wife or husband and inherit the relatives. Unfortunately, we may not be accepted as an acceptable suit in other family members' eyes. This can lead to a future of conflict and constant distracting discussions.

Rather than it becoming a point of division, prove to all the family your love and commitment to each other regardless of their opinions.

I've Got This . . .

It's not for you

to make it happen!

Yours is to dream Big

and Believe.

Think about this . . .

You can do nothing

without Me.

We each have our part to play

and it's your turn first!

How audacious are you?

Have your mindsets

tripped you up

when it matters most?

If you pray believing . . .

The battle is Mine!

You do your part

then leave the rest to Me.

I've Got This!

Reflection

Audacity is either the product developed from experience or is the result of a heart which is prepared to dare and believe. Both are acceptable and the example I will use is David when he was a shepherd out in the desert.

He had to protect his father's sheep from the wild animals and learned all about how God would protect and deliver him from any danger. From these experiences during his education with God out in the wilderness, he learned all about God and his own ability to work with God. Once he learned these precious lessons he knew implicitly that God would protect him in every situation. When he went on an errand for his father to deliver food to his brothers on the battlefields and experienced the challenge made to the Israeli army by Goliath, all that experience kicked in!

This whole story is summarised in 1 Sam chapter 17. There are some very significant pieces in this story that relate to the confident audacity David had.

My prompting and insight for this poem was inspired by a verse I read this morning.

Ephesians 3:20 AMP

Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us.

There are some significant keywords in this verse and therein is the invitation to every one of us. These words, dare ask, beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams, are amazing. WOW, imagine receiving such words in a personal invitation!

I'm sure when you were a child your friends challenged and dared you to do something scary, weren't you? So now I dare you to ask God and believe for what you are asking Him.

Years ago, when I was a very young Christian and was milking cows, I read a testimony about a minister stopping the rain falling on his outdoor meeting.

I believed if he could do that, God could give me some rain, so I could have lots of grass to feed my cows over the impending dry summer. So, in faith, I "ordered 6 inches of rain" on a certain date. The day was 10 days away so I could prepare the farm to receive it. I had to top some of the paddocks so the grass would come away fresh. I also had to block our main drain so the pump wouldn't drain the farm.

On the big day, I was getting the cows for milking and there was not a cloud in the sky! I looked up to heaven and asked the question, "Hasn't anyone heard me? Today's the day when I get my 6 inches of rain I Have Ordered!" I continued throughout the day giving thanks for the rain. The rain started falling late in the afternoon and rained all night. The next morning before getting the cows, I checked the rain gauge and exactly 6 inches had fallen! I did a very thankful and happy dance.

I believe I was filled with faith by reading someone's testimony and applied that faith when I ordered the rain. From that day onwards, I continued to pray for rain when the farm needed it. When we moved on to another farm, our pastor told the congregation that he couldn't wait for us to leave the district because the weather will improve once we go!

What would you DARE ASK OF GOD?

Ephesians 3:20 NKJV

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

As a young Christian, I didn't even know that verse existed, but went with the faith I had in the testimony. I encourage you to read and meditate on the...

Writing A POEM FOR YOU

Hi everybody, today, there is something different for you. I have been writing poetry for at least 35 years and today I am launching my new service where I write a poem for you.

This service has been born out of many suggestions from thankful recipients who I have tested this service on. I write poetry on a vast range of subjects, from Inspirational, Romantic, Birthdays, Prophetic, Encouragement and Revelational poetry. The feedback I have received has been quite astounding as you can read on the testimonials.

There is something about the written words on a page which are always more permanent than spoken words as they can always be referred to. These poems are emailed to you and can be printed out, and or kept on your digital paper.

I will put the link to my page in the show notes.

https://wordsaboutyou.com/words/ (Here it is)

You Wait . . .

You know us through

and through,

every hair we have,

accounted for.

Created in your image.

Oh the potential . . .

Freewill is given

to do or not to do.

We wait, You wait

without judgment

You watch.

Musing . . .

you celebrate us

as we fulfill our

desires and destinies.

You are . . .

Watching over our

culminating experiences.

Meeting us . . .

At the doorway

Of Our Faith!

Reflection

Over many years of listening to sermons and reading scripture, I muse over the interpretations we develop about God. During the exciting times of sharing the revelations we receive, these are being recorded and written as we share them, Mal 3:16.

Our ongoing understanding of God is continuously being unveiled to us as we experience Him. The richness of His word and these experiences undergird our belief. Reading David's life through the Psalms and books of Samuel, we witness a man who struggles with the same issues we have while relating with God. This enthralling relationship unfolds and highlights all the emotions David experiences.

God is very patient with David. He listens to his complaints, arguments, and praises and we get the sense that God enjoys David's journey.

Have you ever realized God celebrates you and enjoys the outworking of your life? Here's a scripture that helps us to understand that He does this.

Zephaniah 3:17 NKJV

The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”

I was reading this verse recently and one line was highlighted and popped out at me; He will quiet you with His love! This one line is a beautiful reassurance of the security we grow into as we individually experience Him. Can you visualize God rejoicing over you with singing when we are taught that we are to rejoice over Him with praise and worship?

I believe our concepts of God change markedly the more we experience Him. Imagine how David must have felt asking the priest for the Showbread to feed his hungry men?

So the priest gave him holy bread; for there was no bread there but the showbread which had been taken from before the Lord, in order to put hot bread in its place on the day when it was taken away.

I Samuel 21:6 NKJV

Jesus even mentioned it.

But He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and hungry, he and those with him: how he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest and ate the showbread, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests, and also gave some to those who were with him?”

Mark 2:25‭-‬26 NKJV

David did something that was unlawful but was approved by God for doing it. He broke the rules and had the right heart.

Here's another example of the rules being broken. This criminal joined Jesus in paradise because his heart was changed.

Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

Luke 23:39‭-‬43 NKJV

God’s ways are not our ways

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.

Isaiah 55:8 NKJV

Here's a tip for you; Often we try to get our head around God to understand Him when we really just need to get our heart around Him and relish your fellowship with Him.

Questions

# - How often do you share your revelations with your friends and get excited?

# - Are you reassured by your ongoing experiences with God rather than just...