Where Grace Abounds ~

Where grace abounds,
salvation springs . . .
where salvation prevails
more grace it brings.

Where grace expands,
hope flourishes
where hope teems
more grace nourishes.

Where grace thrives,
righteousness expands
where virtue grows
more grace demands.

Where grace permeates.
trust infiltrates
where trust exists
more grace penetrates.

Where grace abounds,
more grace is given
where Jesus is found . . .
more grace is taken.

~~~~~~~~~~

John 1:16

And of his fullness
have all we received,
and grace for grace.

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2020
Deborah Ann Belka

~ to GOD be the GLORY ~

From Despair To Hope ~

From despair to hope,
from misery to ecstasy
are those who Jesus . . .
makes not their enemy.

For they’ve tasted mercy,
the truth they have kissed
His peaceful righteousness
they have not dismissed.

From dismay to trust,
from heartbreak to relief
are those who though faith
now have a grace belief.

For though they’re fraught,
troubled and stressed
they know just how much
they are truly blessed.

From desperation to hope,
from emptiness to rapture . . .
are the hearts and souls
Jesus has captured!

~~~~~~~~~~

2 Corinthians 4:8

We are troubled
on every side,
yet not distressed;
we are perplexed,
but not in despair;

Persecuted,
but not forsaken;
cast down,
but not destroyed;

Always bearing about
in the body the dying
of the Lord Jesus,
that the life also of Jesus
might be made manifest
in our body.

Psalm 85:10

Mercy and truth
are met together;
righteousness and peace
have kissed each other.

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2020
Deborah Ann Belka

~ to GOD be the GLORY ~

Bold As Lions ~

Bold as lions,
are those who are righteous
they’ve nothing to fear
for they are virtuous.

Their conscience is clear,
they’ve no reason to doubt
for from the curse of darkness
they have found their way out.

Brave as lions,
are those who are Godly
they’ve nothing to dread
for they’ve ceased their folly.

Their hearts are right,
their evilness was replaced
with the love and mercy
of their Savior’s grace.

Bold and brave,
like lions are we . . .
for to our wicked ways
we were able to flee!

~~~~~~~~~

Proverbs 28:1

“The wicked flee when
no man pursueth:
but the righteous are
bold as a lion.”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2019
Deborah Ann Belka

Hungering and Thirsting ~

Hungering and thirsting,
after God’s righteousness
are the soul’s trembling with
an awe-fearing mindfulness.

Filled with true penitence,
the hungry soul now feeds
on how only God can fulfill
all of their wants and needs.

They long to know,
everything that they can
about how God has for them
a righteous-living plan.

The thirsty soul yearns,
for the Waters of life
for it knows no other way
to deal with sin’s strife.

They embrace the Truth,
the Life and the Way
the soul’s that do thirst
are the ones God can sway.

Hungering and thirsting,
after Divine holiness
are soul’s who desire . . .
to live a life of godliness!

~~~~~~~~~

Matthew 5:6

“Blessed are they
which do hunger and thirst
after righteousness:
for they shall be filled.”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2016
Deborah Ann Belka

Living In the Light ~

When you live in the light,
of eternity . . .
you live a life of hope
peace and serenity.

When you live in anticipation,
of Jesus’ return . . .
you live with conviction
care and concern.

When you live in expectation,
of a future Kingdom
you live with godliness . . .
righteousness and wisdom.

When you live in hopefulness,
of a coming glorious day . . .
you live with diligence
mindfulness to God’s way.

When you live in the light,
of eternity . . .
you live a life of power
hope and certainty!

~~~~~~~~

2 Peter 3:11-14

“Seeing then that all these things
shall be dissolved, what manner of
persons ought ye to be in all holy
conversation and godliness,

Looking for and hasting unto the coming
of the day of God, wherein the heavens
being on fire shall be dissolved, and
the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

Nevertheless we, according to his promise,
look for new heavens and a new earth,
wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look
for such things, be diligent that ye may
be found of him in peace, without spot,
and blameless.”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2016
Deborah Ann Belka

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Putting on CHRIST ~

I’m putting on Christ,
I’m  wearing the robe of love
wrapping it around me
till it fits like a glove.

I’m going to don an attitude,
of humility and meekness
I’m going to bind myself up
with gentleness and kindness.

I’m putting on Christ,
after righteousness I’ll thirst
I’m going to hunger after
putting God in my life first.

I’m going to turn away,
from  temptation and sin
I’m calling upon the power
He gives to me within.

I’m putting on Christ,
wrapping myself in His grace
for it’s the only way I know
to finish the faithful race!

~~~~~~~~~~~

Romans 13:14

“But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ,
and make not provision for the flesh,
to fulfil the lusts thereof.”

King James Version
by Public Domain

Copyright 2016
Deborah Ann Belka

Where Is God’s Grace Now ~

America, America . . .
what has happened to you?
You once were a country proud,
of the red, white and blue.

Your hills previously golden,
are now brown and dry
for you have forsaken . . . .
the unborn babies cry.

America, America,
where are you heading too?
You once were a country strong
in God’s righteousness point of view.

Your fruitful plains of freedom,
are now separated by division
all because of the ungodly . . .
court’s supreme decision.

America, America . . .
where is God’s grace now?
You have chased Him out,
and to get Him back . . .

I am not sure how!

~~~~~~~~

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR COUNTRY

Proverbs 14:34

“Righteousness exalteth a nation:
but sin is a reproach to any people.

King James Version
by Public Domain

Copyright 2015
Deborah Ann Belka

Life’s Wrinkles ~

Life has many wrinkles
needing to be ironed out
life has many creases
running all throughout.

Life has many folds,
needing to be smoothed
life has many lines
requiring to be removed.

Life has many crinkles,
needing to be flattened
life has many seams
asking to be straightened.

Life has many edges,
causing us to crumble . . .
life has many layers
underneath all the ruble.

Life is like a filthy rag,
where sin has left it stain
but when we put on Jesus
the new man comes to reign!

~~~~~~~~~~~

Romans 13:14

“But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ,
and make not provision for the flesh,
to fulfil the lusts thereof.”

King James Version
by Public Domain

Copyright 2015
Deborah Ann Belka

Temporary Troubles ~

Though they may be temporary,
my troubles still do weigh . . .
on my heart, they are heavy
on my soul, they yet prey.

When God needs my attention,
I feel  like I’m on fire
but, He is only testing my faith
and the depth of my desire.

So, He puts me in the furnace,
to refine me like gold
He uses the potter’s wheel
so His image He can mold.

He uses His Word as a bridle,
to keep me on the straight path
He prunes and He trims
so I may never know His wrath.

He places me in dark valleys,
to see the world’s wickedness
He puts me in arid places
so I’ll thirst after righteousness.

Though they may be temporary,
my troubles still do weigh . . .
but, I know they will bring me
into a glorious new day!

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

2 Corinthians 4:17
King James Version

“For our light affliction,
which is but for a moment,
 worketh for us a far more exceeding
and eternal weight of glory;”

Copyright 2014
Deborah Ann Belka

I Hunger ~ I Thirst

I hunger for the truth,
like a bear I search all day
for God’s righteous provisions
to uphold me along my way.

I get down on my knees,
and seek to find His face
I ask Him to sustain me
in the bounty of His grace.

I desire to know His will,
to be sated in His love
to be filled with the goodness
that comes from up above.

I thirst for His wisdom,
like a deer I pant all day
for Him to restore my soul
and renew me along my way.

I get into my prayer closet,
and pray that He will bless
I ask Him to refresh my heart
and His image, on me impress.

I hunger for the truth,
and after wisdom I do thirst
I pray that He will overfill me
with His mercy until I burst!

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

Matthew 5:6

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst
for righteousness, For they shall be filled.”

Copyright 2012
Deborah Ann Belka