Purpose-Driven i am for the GREAT I AM

Purpose-driven to live am i --

zealous and fanatical enough, to die.

Die to self, to idols, to deadly pride --

forever IN CHRIST...a sheep, a slave, a Bride!

Purpose-driven to abhor and to kill --

that 'old-man Adam' who lives in me, still.

New creation that i am IN CHRIST --

delivered from Darkness into His Kingdom of Light!

Purpose-driven, compelled by His love --

no other do i worship, but Him from above.

To make MUCH of JESUS is my JOY --

proclaiming the Good News, my true employ!

Purpose-driven to follow and partake --

the LORD JESUS, who controls my very fate.

Press on! RUN steadfast in His all-powerful might --

to approve my adoring heart in His holy sight!

Purpose-driven i am to sacrifice this living --

to JESUS, my rights to my rights, i am daily giving.

Bought by His blood SO utterly precious --

to be His slave, a privilege SO delicious!

Purpose-driven to declare The WORD --

CHRIST will soon return, have you not heard?

The SON of Man, in ALL His glory --

over ALL, will reign supreme in victory!

Purpose-driven, commissioned for a mission --

no matter the world's contempt, mocking and derision.

To declare that CHRIST JESUS was crucified --

And that the wrath of GOD was fully pacified!

Purpose-driven, in love and in truth --

i share the Good News, The WAY not so smooth.

Narrow is the Gate to eternal salvation --

beware the wolves, follow NOT into their damnation!

Purpose-driven

is Divine plan

ordained --

GOD's cause

will prevail, 

His Reality 

attained.

Turn from sin 

to GOD 

in sincere 

contriteness --

trust 

IN CHRIST 

alone

for forgiveness

and eternal 

brightness!

CHRISTian -- SLAVE of CHRIST JESUS (Essay 1)

This letter is from Paul, a slave of CHRIST JESUS, chosen by GOD to be an apostle, and sent out to preach His Good News.  (Romans 1:1, NLT)

This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves of CHRIST JESUS. (Philippians 1:1, NLT)

This letter is from Paul, a slave of GOD and an apostle of JESUS CHRIST.  (Titus 1:1, NLT)

This letter is from James, a slave of GOD and of the LORD JESUS CHRIST.  (James 1:1, NLT)

This letter is from Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of JESUS CHRIST.  (2 Peter 1:1, NLT)

This letter is from Jude, a slave of JESUS CHRIST and a brother of James.  (Jude 1:1, NLT)

Epaphras, who is one of you, a slave of CHRIST JESUS, greets you.  (Colossians 4:12, HCSB)

For am I now trying to win the favor of people, or GOD? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of CHRIST. (Galatians 1:10, HCSB)

No one can be a slave of two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot be slaves of GOD and of money. (Matthew 6:24, HCSB)

And remember, if you were a slave when the LORD called you, you are now free in the LORD. And if you were free when the LORD called you, you are now a slave of CHRIST.  (1 Corinthians 7:22, NLT)

As GOD’s slaves, live as free people, but don’t use your freedom as a way to conceal evil.
(1 Peter 2:16, HCSB)

For he who is called by the LORD as a slave is the LORD’s freedman. Likewise he who is called as a free man is CHRIST’s slave.
(1 Corinthians 7:22, HCSB)

I assure you: A slave is not greater than his master, and a messenger is not greater than the one who sent him.  (John 13:16, HCSB)

Though He (JESUS) was GOD, He did not think of equality with GOD as something to cling to. Instead, He gave up His divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When He appeared in human form, He humbled himself in obedience to GOD and died a criminal's death on a cross.   Therefore, GOD elevated Him to the place of highest honor and gave Him the name above all other names, that at the name of JESUS every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that JESUS CHRIST is LORD, to the glory of GOD the Father. (Philippians 2:6-11, NLT)

The revelation of JESUS CHRIST that GOD gave Him to show His slaves what must quickly take place. He sent it and signified it through His angel to His slave, John... (Revelation 1:1, HCSB)

The apostles Paul, Peter, and John called themselves slaves of CHRIST JESUS; so did Timothy, Epaphras, and the half-brothers of JESUS, James and Jude. 

Even the virgin Mary, mother of JESUS, called herself a slave.  "I am the LORD's slave," said Mary. "May it be done to me according to your word." Then the angel left her. (Luke 1:38, HCSB)

JESUS Himself, who existing in the form of GOD, assumed the form of a slave. (Philippians 2:7, HCSB)

The word "doulos" (Greek for "slave") occurs 124 times in the original Greek translation of the New Testament (Murray J. Harris, Slave of CHRIST). Only two English translations of the Bible consistently translates "doulos" as "slave" -- E.J. Goodspeed's The New Testament: An American Translation, and the Holman Christian Standard Bible.

If you were to cross out the word "servant", or "bond-servant" and write in "slave" wherever it occurred in your Bible (unless you were using the two translations noted above) -- and after reading through the whole New Testament, would you still call yourself CHRISTian?

To be a CHRISTian is to be a slave of CHRIST.  Radical CHRISTianity is living the normal life of slavery to JESUS CHRIST.  So --

Who do you think you are?  Who do i think i am?

i am a slave of CHRIST.  JESUS is my LORD.

POEMS For My BELOVED JESUS

WHAT IS This JOY?

BE WHAT you Already ARE -- IN CHRIST!

You, O LORD, did ALL that i NEVER could!

i have NO earthly mansion

Heaven is my Home!

i REjoice with JOY!

GLORIOUS Adversative Conjunction!

 

JESUS is my Great Shepherd

GOD is my Heavenly Dad!

My Heart's SONG

NOT of This World

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the LORD JESUS CHRIST. (Philippians 3:20)

ALL that REALLY Matters IS...

For do i now persuade men, or GOD? Or do i seek to please men? For if i still pleased men, i would not be a slave of CHRIST. (Galatians 1:10)

JESUS-Pleaser!

WHO is JESUS...to me?

JESUS is my WAY -- He is the Path of righteousness.
JESUS is my TRUTH -- HE is the WORD infallible.
JESUS is my LIFE -- HE is the Fountain ever flowing.
JESUS is my LORD, my Master, my GOD.

HE is the SHIELD who protects me from satan's assaults --
The ROCK on which my faith is built.
HE is the KING who reigns sovereign --
The SHEPHERD whose care is faithful and true.
HE is the JUDGE who sees the inner man --
The REFUGE during trials to whom i run.
HE is the FORTRESS impregnable --
The AVENGER of the weak and oppressed.

HE is the CREATOR of ALL things from NO thing --
The DELIVERER of those who love and obey Him.
HE is the HEALER of the brokenhearted --
The PROTECTOR of the humble and the meek.
HE is the PROVIDER of my daily bread --
The REDEEMER of this wretched lost.
HE is the ALPHA and the OMEGA --
The AUTHOR and FINISHER of my faith.

HE is the MASTER POTTER --
The ARTIST DIVINE of each masterpiece.
HE is the FATHER who knows me best --
The One i call ABBA, DAD, because i am His own.
HE is the heavenly BREAD of life --
The abundant NOURISHER of this child.
HE is the LIGHT of the world --
The perfect GUIDE to this once darkened soul.

HE is the DOOR of the sheepfold --
The narrow GATE where this penitent entered.
HE is the GOOD SHEPHERD --
The OWNER of this prodigal sheep.
HE is the RESURRECTION and the LIFE --
The PROMISE KEEPER in whom i trust.
HE is the TRUE VINE -- 
The eternal SOURCE to whom i cling.

JESUS is The WAY, The TRUTH and The LIFE --
HE is my Way, my Truth and my Life.
In ALL ways, always -- HE is my ALL in all
ForEVER and EVER, for EVERmore.

THIS Is The DAY The LORD Has MADE

This is the day the LORD has made,
that i may live the Life! He wants me to.

This is the heart the LORD has made,
that i may love all those He wants me to.

This is the mind the LORD has made,
that i may think the thoughts He wants me to.

These are the hands the LORD has made,
that i may do the works He wants me to.

These are the feet the LORD has made,
that i may walk the Way He wants me to.

These are the lips the LORD has made,
that i may speak the Truth that He wants me to.

This is the face the LORD has made,
that i may show the joy He wants me to.

And this is the body the LORD has made,
that i may honor Him as He wants me to.

Reasons and Lessons in GOD's Seasons 

i believe there’s always a reason -- 

And that reason i need not always know. 

ALL are in GOD’s timely season -- 

He’s ALLways in the Know...no matter where i go. 

i believe there’s always a lesson --

And that lesson i desire to know.

Born again, no more that independent person --

A new creature i am, and in The Way...i want to grow.

101 GODventureZ With JESUS

Carefully care-less in CHRIST,
i’m worry free.
Recklessly abandoned to JESUS,
i’m filled with glee.
Willfully surrendered in CHRIST,
i’m washing feet.
Passionately devoted to JESUS,
i’m loving Him in deed.

Passing through Life-101, with JESUS at the wheel --
He alone, the Driver of this vehicle, my fleeting life.
i, trusting like a child, awestruck, by His side --
A no-big-deal nobody, a body...without fret or strife.

My Constant Companion is in control --
No matter what the situation may be.
He, by far, is stronger than that lying Troll --
For He is the great I AM...all mighty!

A new day, another GODventure --
Traveling with JESUS, footloose and truly free.
He and i, hand in hand, living GODventureZ 101 --
He the Master Guide, and i...the no-big-deal nobody.

Carefully care-less in CHRIST,
i’m worry free.
Recklessly abandoned to JESUS,
i’m filled with glee.
Willfully surrendered in CHRIST,
i’m washing feet.
Passionately devoted to JESUS,
i’m loving Him INDEED!

LIFE Is LIKE An OCEAN

Ever changing, ever in motion.
Like a constant ebb and flow,
The tide of life is ever on the go.

Waves, big and small, never do they cease--
At times, even rouge waves,
GOD does release.

But do not fear, for GOD is near--overwhelmed, do not be;
For with His SPIRIT, we ride through each stormy sea.

Zealous For JESUS

Catholic no more, New Age, nor Baptist be...

"FAN-atic" i am for JESUS -- CHRIST is He.

"Fan" of His (a number 1), an "addict" for His Life and Truth...

People think i'm a JESUS-freak, a trifle uncouth.

i don't care! For JESUS, this cross i will gladly bear...
For He promised: no more tears will my sad eyes bare.

Best Friend is He -- mine for all eternity...
Saved from eternal hell, for He died for me.

It matters not What GOD does, ALLways perfect is His will...

It matters only Who He is, sovereign Creator then -- and still.

So i share the Gospel of GOD...
 The Good News of peace, with which my feet are shod.

Not by political correctness nor eloquence will i convert anyone...
But by the power and might of the Holy SPIRIT will the hearer not shun.

Obeying the Word, and unto CHRIST i leave all my cares...
For He's my Good Shepherd, and i but a sheep that dares.

Forgive me if i ruffled your feathers with clumsy utterances...
But please DO look Upwards, for down is for fools and dunces.

Have You Ever Heard ROCKS SING?

Have you ever heard rocks sing?
Or baby waves whisper sweet somethings?

Have you ever seen a curtain of rain?
Or a rainbow upside down?

Have you ever felt the silk of a rose petal upon your cheek?
Or a cat's tongue rough on your palm?

Have you ever whistled the wind to a hermit crab?
Or sang a secret melody to the Beloved One?

Have you ever hugged a tree with reverence for GOD?
Or tenderly embraced a lifeless bundled one?

Have you ever tasted the sweetness of sea urchin eggs?
Or drank the salt of your own tears?

Have you ever smelled the freshness of morning fog?
Or the tang of a wind-blown Taveuni breeze?

Have you ever seen a heart in the clouds?
Or a heart broken and bleeding?

Have you ever been loved by someone as JESUS loved?
Or loved anyone as CHRIST loves you?

Gratefully and humbly, i can say YES to all --
Except the last...for no man can ever love like JESUS!

So i pray each and every day...

LORD, make my heart a channel for Your love,
Have your compassion flow through me like a river --
So that i may learn to love others as You love me.

A DANCING FOOL 
i'm a dancing fool for You, LORD!
Anytime, anywhere --
i'll do a jig for You.

'Cuz you gave me Your all,
You gave Your very life!
All that i am -- everything i own
You gave to me --
i am Yours!

Out of my comfort zone i go -
-Though the world may laugh,
Though they may scorn.
In You alone --
i find my joy,
i find my strength.

i'll dance a jig for You, LORD...
i'll be Your dancing fool!
i am! Your dancing fool!
The ARTIST Of My LIFE

The LORD GOD is the Artist of my life.
i am but the brush with which He paints --
the rainbows after the rain,
the silver lining in the clouds,
the flowers that brighten my path.

The LORD GOD is the Potter of my life.
i am but the clay beneath His hands --
that He shapes for His good works,
that He forms according to His good purpose,
that He fills with His Holy SPIRIT.

The LORD GOD is the the Master Craftsman of my life.
i am His creation, a saint being sanctified --
He sculpts my form to please His sight,
He smooths out the rough edges,
He perfects my self-induced imperfections.

The LORD GOD is the Artist of my life,
He is the Potter, the Master Craftsman.
i stand amazed, i am in awe --
that the Almighty Creator, GOD of heaven and earth
is my Father and i, His child!

IT'S SPRING TIME! 

It's Spring time, it's Resurrection time!
The winter season is over --
The darkness has gone...light awaits.

Thank You, LORD
for growing me in that piercing darkness --
drawing me ever closer to you,
upholding me with Your almighty righteous right hand.

It's Spring time, it's Resurrection time!
i'm breaking new ground --
i'm putting forth new leaves,
i'm ready to bloom!

Thank You, LORD
for nourishing me with Your gracious light --
protecting me from harm,
leading me with Your almighty righteous right hand.

i am YOURS, LORD JESUS

Come, LORD JESUS, my heart is Yours --
Put Your feet up, make Yourself at home!

Come, Holy SPIRIT, my body is Your domain --
Sweep me clean for my Beloved LORD.

Come, Almighty FATHER, my mind is but the clay beneath Your hands --
Shape me as You will, for Your desire is my delight.

JAZMYN'S SONG

Bless the LORD, the LORD of our lives –

For the gift of Jazmyn, our bundle of joy.

From GOD’s lovingkindness and tender mercies, she came

Bringing abundance: blessings of love, healing and eternal hope.

Bless the LORD, the LORD of our souls --

For the miracle of Jazmyn, our shooting star from above,

Whose brief appearance touched our hearts,

Whose very presence healed her own mother’s wounds.

Bless the LORD, the LORD of all creation -

For our blessed Jazmyn, the spark that lit up our days,

The bloom that scented our moment,

The unforgettable melody that we'll sing 'til day's end.