Devotions

A mini series of bible verses. In today's selection: Psalm 100:3, Isaiah 53:6, John 3:16, John 3:36, Proverbs 20:9, Romans 3:23, Romans 5:8, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 Corinthians 15:3,4, Romans 10:9,10, (1) John 1:9. All readings from the King James Version.

A mini series of bible verses. In today's selection John 14:27, Psalm 46:1, Psalm 50:15, Matt 11:28 and Psalm 55:22. All readings from the King James Version.

Another sermon prepared a number of years ago. Once again you may need to adjust your volume due to quality of recording issues.

Originally a sermon developed for a Church of Scotland panel some years ago.

Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. (Jeremiah 33:3 ESV)

Why are we here?

Why do the nations rage?

Why do the wicked prosper?

Where do wars come from?

Who am I Lord?

What must I do to be saved?

Revival, how long Lord?

In all our questions you have the answers.

Help us to keep asking questions.

Help us to listen.

Help us to be still and know that you are God.

- DTH

And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ (Matt 25:40 ESV)

Would we rather love winning?

Or the pig of a loveless comfort zone?

Would we rather a man be provided for?

Or the pig of no compassion?

Would we rather a man be clothed?

Or the pig of humiliation?

Would we rather a man be housed?

Or the pig of homelessness?

Would we rather a man be healed?

Or the pig of demonic legions?

Would we rather God's kingdom advancing?

Or the pig of the world, the flesh and the devil?

We want love, provision, clothing, a home, His kingdom!

Let's treat others as we would like to be treated.

Whatsoever we do to the least of these brothers we do unto Jesus.

Therefore, let's choose compassion, not the pigs.

- DTH

(Influenced by the story of The Rich Man and Lazurus).

...God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. (1 John 4:8b,9 ESV)

Love will win in the end, dear friends.

Love will win.

There are whispers of a word.

Amidst the chaos and confusion of a dark and angry world, it echoes through the mist.

My heart heard this misunderstood little word.

It heard and was blessed.

The word love caused my heart to skip a beat and my soul to become merry.

Could it be that even in mans darkest hours, love still lives?

Indeed it lives and breaths all things pure.

But what is the meaning of such a word?

Could it be the joy of babes playing a merry little din?

Is it the splendour of a spring morning?

Or the beauty of a maidens face basked in sunlight?

Or perhaps its just a word we use in season to gain something in return?

Maybe its just a word the poets like to write?

Nay, it is more.

Surely true love is self-sacrifice.

Its the laying down of ones life for a friend.

Even an enemy.

Its the will to bless those who curse us

To love our haters

To forgive our debtors as Jesus forgives his.

Love is not some superficial myth, but a dream of things better.

It was love that allowed Gods own Son to give himself into mans angry hands.

It was love that sent him beyond this realm to prepare a peaceful place for us.

Our Promised Land, our Paradise.

Yes, behold, it is love that is the greatest thing!

- DTH

(This poem won a prize at allpoetry.com)

“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” (1 Cor 15:55 ESV)

What happens when I die?

The voice of angels that do not cry.

Ladder to heaven.

Death has won?

Nay, Life has won.

Death: where is her sting, where is her victory?

No shame in dying, no shame in living.

Crushed to earth, but rising again.

In Christ alone my hope is found.

What happens when you die?

The voice of angels that do not cry?

- DTH

REMEMBERING BEFORE OUR GOD AND FATHER YOUR WORK OF FAITH AND LABOR OF LOVE AND STEADFASTNESS OF HOPE IN OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. (1 THES 1:3 ESV)

We are the legions of hope.

We are his hands and feet.

We are the chosen.

Gifted by Grace,

Gifted to serve.

Called out of darkness,

Called to the light.

Voices in the wilderness,

His voice for the oppressed.

By His grace alone

We are the legions of hope.

- DTH

(This piece won a prize at allpoetry.com)

BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO ARE PERSECUTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS' SAKE, FOR THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. (MATTHEW 5:10 ESV)

Gathering of light.

Sacred assembly of love.

Age of war, hate, and strife.

The day of the martyrs has just begun.

Blood stained standing stones.

Anabaptists tears, angels song.

The day of the martyrs has just begun.

Ice cracks, foe falls.

Pilgrim saves.

To burning he must go.

Stands fast, dies slow, proclaims love for all to know.

The day of the martyrs has just begun.

- DTH

(Published in the anthology Poetic Velocity. This poem reflects on the powerful faith and love of many Christian martyrs. The main one is the story of Dirk Willems who was an Anabaptist Christian martyr. He was being hunted for his faith and he turned back to save his enemy when his enemy fell through some ice. Dirk was burnt at the stake for his faith despite his merciful gesture. He entered heaven with a clean conscience).