THE RICHEST OF TREASURES

The richest of treasures
to be found on the earth
Are not the things found
or regarded as worth

Treasures are truly
forged in the fire
Not easy to come by
not cheap like attire

Available to all
but rarely attained
Not too many willing
to endure all the pain

What makes up it’s value
is unique in it’s way
It cannot be stolen
it’s eternal and will stay

Branded by marks
only the Creator can give
Imprints like His
from the life that He lived

A treasure is treasure
by who values it the most
When God looks at something
and can’t help but boast

Pleased when He sees it
can’t help but smile
What He places value on
will last for a while

All that He saw
in His own beloved son
When He sees those things in us
a victory is won

Embodied in Christ
is all that He loves
It’s been given to us
like His son to become

Character like Jesus
reflected in us
Forged in the fire
changed to gold from the dust

copyright 2014 Jean Chamblee Thomas

HEAVENLY SOLDIER

Wounded soldier standing there
Involved in a war, nobody cares
But God sees all, He knows your pain
Keeps your tears that fall like rain

Wounded in the depths of soul
Firey darts that burn a hole
Enemies that are deep and wide
The pit of hell, it’s flames they hide

Ignorant ones, who is to blame?
They’ve not been taught, so where’s the shame?
Many think they are fighting right
Not realizing they are empowering the night

Following emotion, what feels good
The Words of God, not understood
Departing from the ways of faith
They won’t find out, until it’s too late

2 Thess says, “A great falling away”
Deceived by the piper that leads them astray
Not knowing the words, clearly laid out
They dance right behind him, giving a shout

Painful to see as they part from the Way
But that’s what Jesus has said of this Day
Wounded soldier, standing alone
It won’t be too long, before Christ takes you home

copyright 2014 Jean Chamblee

Are You Standing At “Wits end” Corner?

Love this inspiring poem found in “Streams in the Desert” ……it goes with Psalm 107:27,28 “At their wits end, they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and He bringeth them out. ” 

HOME
Are You at Wits End Corner?

Are you standing at “Wits End Corner” Christian, with troubled brow’
Are you thinking of what is before you, And all you are bearing now’
Does all the world seem against you, And you in the battle alone’
Remember at Wits End Corner Is where God’s power is shown.

Are you standing at “Wits End Corner” Blinded with wearying pain
Feeling you cannot endure it, You cannot bear the strain.
Bruised through the constant suffering Dizzy and dazed, and numb
Remember at Wits End Corner, Is where Jesus loves to come.

Are you standing at “Wits End Corner” Your work before you spread.
Or lying begun, unfinished And pressing on heart and head.
Longing for strength to do it. Stretching out trembling hands
Remember at “Wits End Corner” The burden bearer stand.

Are you standing at “Wits End Corner” Yearning for those you love,
Longing and praying and watching, Pleading their cause above,
Trying to lead them to Jesus Wondering if you’ve been true’
He whispers at “Wits End Corner” “I’ll win them as I won you.”

Are you standing at “Wits End Corner” Then you’re just in the very spot.
To learn the wondrous resources Of Him who faileth not!
No doubt to a brighter pathway Your footsteps will soon be moved
But only at Wits End Corner Is the God who is able, “proved.”

Antoinette Wilson

Commentary on the Book of Jude

Interesting commentary at the beginning of the book of Jude……could easily be said of today……

Fight! Contend! Do battle! When apostasy arises, when false teachers emerge, when the truth of God is attacked, it is time to fight for the faith. Only believers who are spiritually “in shape” can answer the summons. At the beginning of his letter Jude focuses on the believers common salvation, but then feels compelled to challenge them to contend for the faith. The danger is real. False teachers have crept into the church turning God’s grace into unbounded license to do as they please. Jude reminds such men of God’s past dealings with unbelieving Israel, disobedient angels, and wicked Sodom and Gomorrah. In the face of such danger Christians should not be caught off guard. The challenge is great, but so is the God who is able to keep them from stumbling.

A THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

1 Peter 5:7 …..casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

I think these are some of the sweetest words in the scriptures. It is also a benefit that is one of the easiest to forget. As humans, we all tend to be “fixers”. We are prone to want to fix things ourselves and that is a fine attribute. But there are times when we come up against something that we cannot fix. A problem too big for us to carry.

Most of us would admit this is true, and if you are like me, I tend to carry it around long before I recognize it is even there.
God loves us so much and He delights when we come to understand this and in faith lay that “care”, whatever it is, down at His feet.

We often miss the scripture right before this one which is, I think, a key to activating this wonderful exchange with God:
1 Peter 5:6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time…..

Those are rich words…. “humble yourselves”. It is simply admitting to Him that you need His help and that He is mighty enough to handle it. He longs for us to leave the problem at His feet and be free from the worry and burden of it. He is a good Father and He cares for us.

Lord, help us to recognize the burden and worry that we are carrying around. Help us see it and acknowledge that we need your help. Fill us with peace in place of worry. Thank you for your tender lovingkindness towards us. We love you and thank you for these words and promises you have given to us. Amen

LONGING

I’m longing for that intimate place
In the land of shallow souls
Seems no one wants to seek Your face
Or the words from days of old

So few want the treasures there
Just live from day to day
Avoiding anything with depth
Deaf to what you say

I’m longing for that intimate place
Sweetest place I know
No one else can fill that gap
From You all love can flow

I’m longing for that intimate place
I lift my eyes to You
Enraptured by Your glorious face
Until this life is through

copyright Jean Chamblee 2011

LIKE NOAH

The waves they are a’ tossing
When there’s no sea around
The ground it is a’ moving
No stability to be found

The skies are turning black now
Pray tell what shall we do?
How will we survive this trial
If we won’t turn to You?

You are the solid Rock on earth
It’s all we have to stand
What You’ve done will always be
No one can move Your hand

Living in another realm
And yet You’re here with us
You’ve made provision for our souls
But in you we must trust

Resting in this rocking boat
Like Noah years gone by
It’s really not a different thing
In You we must rely

A rainbow there will always be
Your promises stand true
No matter what this time may bring
Our safety is in You

copyright 2014 Jean Chamblee

A CLEAN SLATE

Painful past
Mistakes made
Can’t change
The path was laid

Ironclad grip
Pulling down
Crying out
In tears drowned

Spinning round
A sinking ship
Life’s a mess
Can’t get a grip

What if there
Was really a way
A gift for you
A completely clean slate

If you can get past
Prejudices made
Open your mind
The price was paid

Forget religion
Not what it’s about
Embrace the Truth
That will let you cry out

Forget the steeple
The Easter parade
Jesus is deep
It’s no charade

The blood He shed
Is no laughing matter
Such a shame He’s been treated
With a light hearted manner

Love so deep
Heart so good
He gave it for you
He shed His own blood

So you could have
Another chance
Get free from your past
Set free to dance

Dance a new life
Leave the old behind
Take hold of His hand
He will take off the blinds

That’s right it’s a kick
Jesus is the Way
You’ve heard it all along
Thought it was a cliche’

Don’t need to be religious
To talk to the One
That loves you so much
Had me write this sweet poem

So guess what precious one?
He’s waiting on you
To give a clean slate
Start your life brand new

copyright Jean Chamblee 2010

OUR NEED FOR A SAVIOR

You have not found your way here by accident.  God has a special plan for your life and we have simply been brought across your path to help you on your journey to know Him. What an awesome thing to come into a relationship with your Creator.  This could be your day!  Below is a simple explanation from the scriptures on why we all need a Savior and how we are actually put on this earth and “created” with a hunger in our hearts to know the One that made us.

Let’s start with what the Bible says about our need for a Savior… Romans 3:23 says for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

That is all of us. None of us is without sin. We have all done things that our consciences have told us not to do, right? We have all violated that inner voice that tells us right from wrong. In a way that is good news! Because salvation is not something we can earn or attain to. Not a position we can ascend to. It is a FREE gift. Purchased by Jesus Christ when he shed his blood on the cross.

He alone as the Son of God lived a perfect life and could be the perfect sacrifice for our sins. And what love He had for us that He was willing to do that on our behalf. A crime (sin) was committed and a holy God must satisfy justice. The beauty of it all is that He knew we could not do that ourselves and He chose to send His own Son as a sacrifice to pay the price for us.

John 3:16 says… For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. WHOEVER believes. God does not discriminate. His gift is for us all. It is up to us to choose. You don’t have to “get cleaned up” before you come to Christ. Only He has the power to make you a new creation. It’s not something you can do on your own.

Romans 10: 9, 10… If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

That is just the beginning. A real relationship with Him is possible. An intimate place with Him for those who seek Him with all their hearts.    Jeremiah 29:13 says…”
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Think of it…you can know your Creator. He made you because He wants you. God created us because He wanted a family. Amazing! Are you ready to get started?

Prayer is simply talking to God. Nothing fancy.

Here is an example of a salvation prayer:    “God I believe you are real, I see your creation and something inside me tells me there is a reason you made me. I ask you to come into my heart, come into my life, and show me who You are. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. Forgive me for the many sins I have committed and help me to walk and live in a new way. I want to know you. I invite you to be my Lord and Savior. Help me to grow into a loving relationship with You. Help me to know Your ways. Open my eyes so that I can know You.” Amen.

He is Lord and He cares about all of your life, your joys, and your pains. He created you to be with Him; a part of Him. There is a rich relationship with God in front of you as you continue to seek to know Him more.  You are greatly loved!    Hebrews 13:5  “For Jesus has said,  “I will never leave you nor forsake you”.   You need never feel alone again!  Welcome to the Family!