If We Are to Have Hope ~

 

If we are to have hope,
in what we can’t see
why is it then Lord . . .
we don’t trust more in Thee?

If we are to have patience,
while for Your return we await
why is it then Lord . . .
we don’t keep to the straight gate?

If we are to have faith,
that Your Kingdom is coming
why is it then Lord . . .
we don’t keep faithfully running.

If we are to have perseverance,
even though You may tarry
why is it then Lord . . .
we don’t our own cross carry?

If we are to have hope,
if we are to trust and believe
why is it then Lord . . .
we don’t keep our eyes on Thee?

~~~~~~~

Romans 8:25

“But if we hope for that we see not,
then do we with patience wait for it.”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2017
Deborah Ann Belka

Throwing In The Towel ~

Some days I feel like quitting,
just throwing in the towel
some days I don’t want to think
of another rhyming vowel.

Some days it’s so hard,
putting words into rhyme
some days I feel as if . . .
I’m just wasting my time.

But, then I read my Bible,
and the verses seem to jump
helping me to get over
my poetry writing slump.

For, God keeps telling me,
to continue, to carry on
how I need to keep doing
what I know He has begun.

Some days I feel like quitting,
blogging how and what I feel
but, then God encourages me
and restores my rhyming zeal!

~~~~~~~~

2 Chronicles 15:7

“Be ye strong therefore,
and let not your hands be weak:
for your work shall be rewarded.”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2017
Deborah Ann Belka

with words to bless and heal!

Decluttering ~

Today I’m decluttering,
my heart and my mind
dumping all the things
I keep dragging behind.

I’ll be getting rid of,
any bitterness I see
and if there be envy
I’ll purge it right out of me.

I’ll toss away the guilt,
dispose of the shame
free any need to point
to others any blame.

I’ll remove all the fear,
eradicate any doubt
eliminate the dread
so to block anxiety out.

Today, I’m decluttering,
so I can stay on track
I’ll destroy the dead weight
that’s been holding me back!

~~~~~

Hebrews 12:1

“Wherefore seeing we also are
compassed about with so great
a cloud of witnesses,
let us lay aside every weight,
and the sin which doth so
easily beset us, and let us
run with patience the race
that is set before us,”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2017
Deborah Ann Belka

Be Patient With God ~

Be patient with God,
He knows what He’s doing
sometimes to our prayers
He takes His time moving.

Be patient with God,
enjoy the time waiting
for the answers to our prayers
He’s carefully delegating.

Be patient with God,
He is working out His plan
you will need a lot of faith
to fill in the time span.

Be patient with God,
give Him the time He needs
not all of His answers
come at rapid speeds.

Be patient with God,
trust Him and be still
He’s working out for you
what is His perfect will.

Be patient with God,
your times are in His hands
and for you He is working on
His awesome, amazing plans!
~~~~~~

Psalm 31:15a

“My times are in thy hand:”

Copyright 2017
Deborah Ann Belka

On The Winds of Adversity ~

On the winds of adversity,
God seems to test us
and all we can really do . . .
is to hold on to our trust.

With each passing gale,
that rages through our life
all we can really do . . .
is to give Jesus our strife.

As the gusts keep coming,
and the storms continue on
all we can really do . . .
is to be calm til they’re gone.

With each rushing wind,
that comes about our way
all we can really do . . .
is to turn to God and pray.

For, the storms of this life,
will eventually cease
and one day Jesus will bring . . .
to our souls perfect peace!

~~~~~~~~~~

Matthew 8:26

“And he saith unto them,
Why are ye fearful,
O ye of little faith?
Then he arose,
and rebuked the winds
and the sea; and there was
a great calm.”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2016
Deborah Ann Belka

Lose the Weight ~

To stay in the race,
you must be fit
lest you will tire
and just want to quit.

You’ll need to lose,
those extra pounds
lest they’ll surely
slow you right down.

The weight of the world,
you’ll need to shed
lest it will mess
with your heart and head.

You’ll need to drop,
the sin besetting you
lest it’ll encumber
the running that you do.

To stay in the race,
don’t let sin drag you down
lest you may miss out . . .
on your victor’s crown!

~~~~~~~~~

Hebrews 12:1

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed
about with so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us lay aside every weight,
and the sin which doth so easily beset us,
and let us run with patience the race
that is set before us,”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2016
Deborah Ann Belka

Sticky Note From God 07.14.16

This is A Test ~

God’s sending me tests,
He’s giving me situations
He’s seeing if I’ll claim
His peace trough tribulations.

God’s giving me a chance,
to find new grace each day
He is seeing if my faith
will hold up along the way.

God’s working in me patience,
He wants to affirm my hope
He’s teaching me to trust Him
for the strength each day to cope.

God’s seeing if I will rejoice,
when things are all askew
He’s looking to see His glory
in my life shinning through.

God’s giving me these tests,
to see if my faith will stumble
He ‘s sending me experiences
so to keep me meek and humble!

~~~~~~

Romans 5:3-4

And not only so, but we glory in
tribulations also: knowing that
tribulation worketh patience;

And patience, experience;
and experience, hope:”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2016
Deborah Ann Belka

God’s Forgiveness ~

God’s forgiveness,
is limitless
His long-suffering
is timeless.

It is non-stopple,
it’s boundless
it is without borders
it’s endless.

God’s forgiveness,
is inexhaustible
His love for us
it’s incomprehensible.

It is vast,
it’s immeasurable
it is immense
it’s perpetual.

God’s forgiveness,
is everlasting
His patience is beyond
our understanding!

~~~~~~~

Luke 17:4

“And if he trespass against thee
seven times in a day, and seven times
in a day turn again to thee, saying,
I repent; thou shalt forgive him.”

King James Version
by Public Domain

Copyright 2016
Deborah Ann Belka

Why Me Lord ~

Why me Lord  . . .
sometimes I must say
why did You bring
this problem my way?

Why did You want,
to bring me this pain
what from all of this
do You want me to gain?

Why me Lord . . .
I sometimes have to ask
why did you send me
such an impossible task?

Why did You make,
all this come about
is it to find patience
while I dig my way out?

Why me Lord . . .
I really want to know
is it perseverance
You want me to grow?

Is that why You’re trying,
my faith with these things
so I may discover the joy . . .
that being tested brings!

~~~~~~~

James 1:2-3

“Finally brethren, count it all joy
when ye fall into divers temptations;

Knowing this, that the trying
 of your faith worketh patience.”

King James Version
by Public Domain.

Copyright 2015
Deborah Ann Belka

I’m Staying in The Race ~

I’ll keep on running,
nothing can detain
me from the victory . . .
one day I’ll attain.

I’ll go for the goal,
like the saints before
I can hear their cheers
upon heaven’s shore.

I’ll put in the effort,
to do my absolute best
for I know when I finish
I’ll have eternal rest.

I’ll stay in the race,
though I may tire . . .
I’ll just keep on letting
the Holy Spirit inspire.

I will not let fear,
stop me dead in my tracks
nor will I doubt God . . .
when the enemy attacks.

I’ll stay on course,
I’m not going to quit
until the bitter end
I willingly commit.

I will keep on running,
through thick and thin
I will stay in the race  . . .
and by God’s grace I will win!

~~~~~~~~~~~

Hebrews 12:1

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed
aboutwith so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us lay aside every weight, and the sin
which doth so easily beset us,
and let us run with patience
the race that is set before us,

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher
of our faith; who for the joy that was set
before him endured the cross, despising
the shame, and is set down at the right
hand of the throne of God.”

King James Version
by Public Domain

Copyright 2015
Deborah Ann Belka

Saving Grace ~

Lord, today I’m in need,
of more of Your loving patience
mine is getting weary . . .
at times, it’s hard to be gracious.

I’m requesting from You,
the fortitude to withstand
the effects of man’s rebellion
spreading all across the land.

I’m asking You to give me,
some extra staying power
so I may shine Your light
on the evilness of the hour.

I’m entreating and exploring,
for the persistence to endure
before Your Truth and Way
becomes . . . totally obscure.

Lord, today I’m going to need,
more of Your saving grace
so I can share it with others . . .
lest the antichrist they’ll embrace!

~~~~~~~~~

2 Thessalonians 2:3

“Let no man deceive you by any means:
for that day shall not come, except there
come a falling away first, and that man
of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;”

King James Version
by Public Domain

Copyright 2015
Deborah Ann Belka

When God Shuts a Door ~

When God shuts a door,
He’ll open another one
and you can rest assured
He has for you, the right one.

For God won’t let you enter,
if it isn’t, His desire for you
though you may of thought
it was what, you should do.

When God shuts a door,
make a mental memo
to pray about the reasons
you’re  in a state of limbo.

For God wants you to learn,
to wait on Him and be still
so you can find what is
His good and perfect will.

When God shuts a door,
He’ll open one to go through
and you can rest assured
Jesus will be waiting for you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Acts 16:7-9

“After they were come to Mysia,
they assayed to go into Bithynia:
but the Spirit suffered them not.

And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.

And a vision appeared to Paul in the night;
There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him,
saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.”

King James Version
by Public Domain

Copyright 2015
Deborah Ann Belka

Hope Everlasting ~

Hope brings . . .

my heart gladness,
rest unto my strife
Hope gives me courage
brings strength to my life.

Hope lifts up my soul,
fills me full of grace
Hope teaches me to wait
to seek His Holy face.

Hope is my shield,
in these days of evil
Hope is my escape from
the world’s upheaval.

Hope is my refuge,
a place for me to run
Hope is my anchor
in God’s begotten Son.

Hope is everlasting,
brings God  great pleasure
Hope makes me happy
for, it’s my eternal treasure.

Hope is full of praise,
is something I can trust
Hope turns me away
from every earthly lust.

Hope is my salvation,
full of mercy and favor
Hope brings redemption
through my Lord and Savior.

Hope is my patience,
in things that aren’t seen
Hope is my future promise
to endure time in between.

Hope is steadfast,
it is active and lively
Hope is glorious
it’s confident and mighty.

Hope is my portion,
the source of my peace
Hope is my assurance
my joy will never cease.

My Hope is up in heaven,
I found it in the Good Word
My Hope is the mystery behind
all of the truth I have heard!

~~~~~~~~

1 Peter 3:15

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts:
and be ready always to give an answer
to every man that asketh you
a reason of the hope that is in you
with meekness and fear:”

King James Version
by Public Domain

~~~~~~~

I used over 20 different verses
found in the Old and New Testament
to tell what My Hope is based on.

Copyright 2015
Deborah Ann Belka

Sticky Note From God 02.08.15

To Look At Me ~

To look at me,
you’d think I was sweet
the nicest person . . .
you could ever meet.

I always have a smile,
never wear a frown
that is until . . .
no one else is around.

Unless, of course,
you live with me
then my sourness
I know you’d see.

That’s when I can be,
oh, so very irritated . . .
for the tiniest of things
can get me, so agitated.

Any one would think,
frustration was my name
as it doesn’t take much . . .
for me, to be inflamed.

Lord, wherever I go,
remind me You’re there too
so my attitude . . .
can reflect more of You!

~~~~~~~~~~~

1 Samuel 16:7

“But the Lord said unto Samuel,
Look not on his countenance,
or on the height of his stature;
because I have refused him:

for the Lord seeth not as man seeth;
for man looketh on the outward appearance,
but the Lord looketh on the heart.”

King James Version
by Public Domain

Copyright 2015
Deborah Ann Belka

Give a Fruit Basket This Year ~

This year give a fruit basket,
to everyone you know . . .
fill it with Love and affection
until it begins to overflow.

Pack it with a bunch of Peace,
put into it, some tenderness
don’t forget to stock it with . . .
a whole lot of Gentleness.

Be sure to add your  Faith,
calmness and some Patience
when you mix it all together . . .
it’ll release a pleasing fragrance.

Place into it Self-Control.
pile on high, a lot of Meekness
top it off with endless Joy . . .
for a basket full of Goodness.

This year make up a fruit basket,
then pass it all around
tell others of the hope . . .
that in Jesus, you have found!

~~~~~~~~~~

Galatians 5:22-23

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
 meekness, temperance: “

King James Version
by Public Domain

Copyright 2014
Deborah Ann Belka

Faith Is ~

Faith is a mixture,
of sunshine and rain
of highs and lows
happiness and pain.

Faith is a blending,
of gladness and grief
of ups and downs
struggles and relief.

Faith is a fusion,
of blessings and hardships
of twists and turns
droughts and harvests.

Faith is a combination,
of hope and despair
of rises and falls
injury and repair.

Faith is a merging,
of mercy, grace and love
faith believes in all things
we can rise above!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

James 1:3

“Knowing this, that the trying
 of your faith worketh patience.”

King James Version
by Public Domain

Copyright 2014
Deborah Ann Belka

Godly Devotion ~

If you want peace,
true Godly contentment
you must put away
all your resentment.

If you want love.
true Godly raw devotion
you much be willing
to control your emotions.

If you want hope.
true Godly assurance
you must pray for strength
so you’ll have endurance.

I you want tranquility,
truly Godly calm
you must be to others
like a soothing balm.

If you want to be meek,
true Godly humbleness
you must in all things . . .
show your thankfulness!

~~~~~~~~~~~

Galatians 5:22-23

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love,
joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness,
goodness, faith, meekness, temperance:
against such there is no law.

King James Version
by Public Domain

Copyright 2014
Deborah Ann Belka

Works of the Flesh ~

Having a hard time,
loving one another
feeling shades of green
looking at your brother?

Not very patient,
with your friends or family
finding your spoken words
being said, more angrily?

Looking at the world,
through rose-colored glasses
thinking it’s not so bad
to follow the masses?

Wondering when real joy,
will pop back into your life
tired of all the problems
causing everyday strife?

Well, stop for a minute
and ask yourself this . . .
“Am I letting the Spirit lead
or do I constantly resist?”

For the fruit of the Spirit,
we can only produce . . .
when to the works of the flesh
we become a recluse!

~~~~~~~~

Galatians 5:25

“If we live in the Spirit,
let us also walk in the Spirit.”

King James Version
by Public Domain

Copyright 2014
Deborah Ann Belka

A Time for God ~

A time for patience,
and for some rest
a time to let God . . .
do what is best.

A time for endurance,
to run the good race
a time to stop running
and abound in His grace.

A time for serenity,
in the midst of the buzz
a time to find harmony
as God always does.

A time to listen,
and to be still
a time to wait
for His perfect will.

A time for calmness,
when composure is gone
a time for quietness
and to God, be drawn.

A time to trust,
without any fear
a time for the Lord
to bring us near.

A time for the Spirit,
to lead from above
a time to linger
and abide in His love.

A time for silence,
and an open heart
a time for God only
nothing keeping us apart.

A time to lie down,
in pastures green
a time to be protected
under His wing.

A time to know,
He won’t leave or forsake
a time for God . . .
we all need to make!

~~~~~~~~~~

Ecclesiastes 3:1
King James Version

“To every thing there is a season,
and a time to every purpose under the heaven:”

Copyright 2014
Deborah Ann Belka

The Race of a Lifetime ~

The race we are running,
is the race of a lifetime
we must run it well . . .
or else we’ll be left behind.

If we’re going to succeed,
we must run it to win
the only way to victory
is to run away from sin.

For Satan is on the chase,
after our souls, he is gunning
we must be sure from him
to always keep on running.

We need to stay focused,
on the goal that is ahead
we must be sober and alert
so we can be Spirit lead.

It’s a race of endurance,
not one of swiftness or speed
we must depend on God . . .
for the stamina that we need!

~~~~~~~~~~~

Hebrews 12:1
King James Version

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about
with so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us lay aside every weight,
and the sin which doth so easily beset us,
and let us run with patience the race
that is set before us,”

Copyright 2014
Deborah Ann Belka

Test Me Lord ~

Test me Lord,
let me prove to You
that my faith . . .
will keep shining through.

Search me Lord,
look deep down inside
remove any doubt
what’s left of my pride.

Try me Lord,
let me show to You
that I will keep trusting
regardless of what You do.

Pursue me Lord,
teach me perseverance
give me the patience
no matter the experience.

Test me Lord,
examine all my ways
let me prove to You . . .
I trust You with all my days!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

James 1:2-3
King James Version

“My brethren, count it all joy when
ye fall into divers temptations;
Knowing this, that the trying
of your faith worketh patience.”

Copyright 2014
Deborah Ann Belka