Harden Your Heart Not ~

Harden not your heart,
to your spiritual condition
let it not turn cold
by your selfish ambition.

Let it not turn callous,
like the rebellious one
let it not become distant
by a grumbling tongue.

Harden not your heart,
to the Spirit’s leading
let it not turn frigid
by the sins you’re keeping.

Let it not become rigid,
by carelessly drifting
let it not be stubborn
by the life you’re living.

Harden not your heart,
by disbelief or doubt
let it not turn icy
by shutting God’s Word out.

Let it not turn you away,
from the hope of eternal peace
let it not turn to stone . . .
lest your faith in God may cease!

~~~~~~~~

Hebrews 3:13

“But exhort one another daily,
while it is called To day;
lest any of you be hardened
through the deceitfulness of sin.”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2013 Revised 2019
Deborah Ann Belka

Before You Get Up ~

Before you get out,
of your warm bed . . .
make sure God’s Word
you have read.

Then as you rise,
you will be girded
in the truth before
you even get started.

Before you get going,
take up faith’s shield
so to satan’s deceit
you will not yield.

Then as you get ready,
you will be protected
with a breastplate keeping
you and God connected.

Before the door you open,
make sure you put on
the peace you have found
in Christ, Jesus the Son.

Then when you see,
a dart at you come flying
you will know it’s from
the one who’s always lying.

Before you retire,
while warm in your bed . . .
tuck away your Bible
under your trusting head!

~~~~~~

Ephesians 6:14-16

Stand therefore, having your loins
girt about with truth, and having
on the breastplate of righteousness;
And your feet shod with the
preparation of the gospel of
peace; Above all, taking the shield
of faith, wherewith ye shall be
able to quench all the fiery darts
of the wicked

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2019
Deborah Ann Belka

The Word Became Flesh ~

A child is born,
the Word became flesh
all things to be new
and gloriously fresh.

A Son is given,
a Counselor to all
a promise delivered
after mankind’s fall.

A Virgin’s birth,
a Gift perfect
a way back to God
for hearts to connect.

A Mighty God
a Prince of Peace
a Love never
to end or cease.

A Child is born,
God’s only Son
salvation is here
for everyone!

~~~~~~~~

Isaiah 9:6

For unto us a child is born,
unto us a son is given:
and the government shall
be upon his shoulder:
and his name shall be called
wonderful, Counsellor,
The mighty God,
The everlasting Father,
The Prince of Peace.

John 1:14

And the Word was made flesh,
and dwelt among us,
(and we beheld his glory,
the glory as of the only
begotten of the Father,)
full of grace and truth.

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2019
Deborah Ann Belka

I’ll Never Forsake You ~

I’ll never leave or forsake you,
for you I will always care
I understand your feelings
how much you have to bear.

I’ll never leave or desert you,
even when you think I’m far away
I know each step you have taken
I have been with you all the way.

I’ll never leave or depart from you,
I am always right here near by
I know what you’ve been through
in my bottle are the tears you cry.

I’ll never leave or quit on you,
even though you feel I’m not there
I’m always watching out for you
you have always been in My care.

I’ll never leave or forsake you,
your every thought I know and see
I’m always here to listen to you . . .
now can you say the same ~ for Me?

~~~~~~~~~~~

John 10:27

“My sheep hear my voice,
and I know them,
and they follow me”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2014 Revised 2019
Deborah Ann Belka

From The Get-Go ~

From the beginning,
God loved His creation
it brought to His heart
pure joy and elation.

But, then one evil day,
satan into it entered in
introducing to man
temptation and sin.

From the get-go,
man always had a choice
to walk with God
or listen to satan’s voice.

But man chose to follow,
the ways of the devil
bringing grief to God’s heart
on every single level.

From the beginning,
God knew the mind of man
so He gave His only Son . . .
to fulfill salvation’s plan!

~~~~~~

Genesis 3:2-4

And the woman said unto the serpent,
We may eat of the fruit of the trees
of the garden:

But of the fruit of the tree which is
in the midst of the garden,
God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it,
neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

And the serpent said unto the woman,
Ye shall not surely die:

Genesis 6:6

And it repented the Lord
that he had made man on
the earth, and it grieved
him at his heart.

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2019
Deborah Ann Belka

Making My List ~

It’s that time of year,
to start again planning
the season’s festivities
which are so demanding.

So, I’m making my list,
checking it anew . . .
making sure Jesus
it first includes You.

For with all the to do’s,
amidst the busyness
I don’t want to forget
the truth of CHRISTmas.

So, I’m taking a time out,
to pause and to ponder
to rejoice and to revere in
this time of great wonder.

It’s that time of year,
to list all the reasons
why I truly celebrate . . .
the CHRISTmas season!

~~~~

Isaiah 9:6

For unto us a child is born,
unto us a son is given:
and the government shall
be upon his shoulder:
and his name shall be called
Wonderful, Counsellor,
The mighty God,
The everlasting Father,
The Prince of Peace.

Luke 2:19

But Mary kept all these things,
and pondered them in her heart.

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2019
Deborah Ann Belka

The Bible Is Like A Mirror ~

The Bible is like a mirror,
it reflects yourself so true
it shows all the hidden sin
yet living inside of you.

But if you never read it,
how will you ever glean
the areas in your life
God still needs to make clean.

The Bible is like a mirror,
it reflects your heart so true
it shows what is keeping
God disconnected from you.

But if you don’t study it,
God cannot lead or direct
you to see how sinfulness
has an everlasting effect.

The Bible is like a mirror,
His reflection should be in you
but, you must apply it . . .
in your life ~ for this to be true!

~~~~~~~~~

1 John 3:2

“Beloved, now are we the sons of God,
and it doth not yet appear what we
shall be: but we know that, when he
shall appear, we shall be like him;
for we shall see him as he is.

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2012 Revised 2019
Deborah Ann Belka

How Much Longer God ~

Sometimes the reality,
of a world gone haywire
takes away all my joy
in the hairs of its crossfire.

For with all the evil I see,
and all the horror I hear
all I can do is ask . . .
why Jesus, aren’t You here?

Sometimes the truth,
of a world gone amok
takes away my peace
leaving me awestruck.

For with all the tragedy,
the death and the disasters
I can’t help but to wonder . . .
why Lord, can’t You come faster?

Sometimes the realness,
of a world gone roughshod
all I can do is pray and ask  . . .
how much longer, oh my God!

~~~~~~~

Psalm 10:1

Why standest thou afar off,
O Lord?
why hidest thou thyself
in times of trouble?

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2019
Deborah Ann Belka

A Penitent Soul ~

Once you repent,
fruit you will bear
for all of your sins
will be laid out bare.

For a contrite heart,
will forsake all evil
follow no longer
the ways of the devil.

Once you profess,
you are a sinner
worldly conforming
no longer will hinder.

For a penitent soul,
desires no more
of what the world
has for it in store.

Once you repent,
you’ll bear the fruit
of true repentance
so sin can’t take root!

~~~~~

Matthew 3:8

Bring forth therefore
fruits meet for repentance:

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2019
Deborah Ann Belka

A Plate of Grace ~

Come this Thanksgiving . . .
there’ll be no turkey with dressing
I’m only going to serve a plate
of gratitude for God’s blessings.

As a substitute for candied yams,
we’ll feast on His loving kindness
taste the sweetness of His favor
as we reflect on His righteousness.

There’ll be no rolls and butter,
instead, we’ll eat of the Bread of Life
with gratitude we’ll give our thanks
to Jesus for bearing our strife.

In place of mashed potatoes,
there’ll be praise piled just as high
we’ll sing our adoration
in place of having pumpkin pie.

The only beverage we will drink,
will be from the one True Vine
with humility on our lips
our thanks will be as sweet as wine.

Come this Thanksgiving . . .
there’ll be no traditional dinner
instead I’ll serve a plate of grace
to anyone who is a sinner!

~~~~~~~

Psalm 7:17

I will praise the Lord
according to his righteousness:
and will sing praise to the name
of the Lord most high.

Ephesians 5:20

Giving thanks always for all things
unto God and the Father in the name
of our Lord Jesus Christ;

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2012 Revised 2019
Deborah Ann Belka

Father, How Can I Show My Gratitude ~

Father, how can I show my gratitude,
my gratefulness for all You’ve done
how can I show my thankfulness
for the eternal gift of Your Son?

What can I do to repay You,
for the kindness You’ve shown me
what can I give back to You
so my appreciation You can see?

How can I render my thanksgiving,
the sense of my true gratification
how can I ever prove to You
the full delight of my satisfaction?

Father, how can I show my gratitude,
my gratefulness for all You do
how can I show my thankfulness
if I am not always praising You?

~~~~~~~~

Colossians 3:17

And whatsoever ye do
in word or deed, do all
in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God
and the Father by him.

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2013 Revised 2019
Deborah Ann Belka

Take the Plunge ~

Go ahead,
dive right in
be washed
from your sin

Take the plunge,
into the waters
that are Living
without borders.

Go ahead,
jump into the Well
save yourself
form the pit of hell.

Take the leap,
into the Spring
life everlasting
to you it’ll bring.

Go ahead,
drink thereof . . .
the Living Waters
of God’s love!

~~~~~

John 4:10-11

Jesus answered and said unto her,
If thou knewest the gift of God,
and who it is that saith to thee,
Give me to drink; thou wouldest
have asked of him, and he would
have given thee living water.

The woman saith unto him,
Sir, thou hast nothing to
draw with, and the well is deep:
from whence then hast thou
that living water?

John 4:14

But whosoever drinketh of the water
that I shall give him shall never
thirst; but the water that I shall
give him shall be in him a well of
water springing up into everlasting life.

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2019
Deborah Ann Belka

Good Morning Quote ~11.11.19~

Grace Is A Mender ~

Grace is a mender,
of flaws running deep
it is a collector
of the tears we weep.

Grace is a healer,
of vessel’s broken
it is a free gift
God set into motion.

Grace is a liberator,
of evil and oppression
it is a deliver
of earthly transgression.

Grace is a giver,
of eternal redemption
it is a perfecter
of faith and salvation.

Grace is God’s mercy
pity and favor . . .
grace is God’s free gift
of Jesus our Savior!

~~~~~~~~~~~

Ephesians 2:8-9

For by grace are ye saved
through faith; and that
not of yourselves:
it is the gift of God:

Not of works,
lest any man should boast.

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2019
Deborah Ann Belka

Eager Heart’s Waiting ~

May the love of God,
our eager heart’s still . . .
may we have His peace
waiting for His will.

For what He promised,
is yet to be done . . .
as we anticipate
the coming of His Son.

May the love of God,
our heart’s safely keep
as one of His own
beloved and dear sheep.

For what He has spoken,
will surely come true
when Jesus returns
one day for me and you.

May the love of God,
our patient heart’s fill . . .
as we eagerly await
may His calm they still!

~~~~~~~

2 Thessalonians 3:5

And [may] the Lord direct
your hearts into the love of God,
and into the patient waiting for Christ.

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2019
Deborah Ann Belka

If Today You Hear ~

If today you hear,
God’s beseeching voice
it will cause His people
to cheer and rejoice.

For one more sheep,
in His green pasture
is one more soul
satan can’t capture.

If today you heed,
Jesus’ invitation
you’ll receive the gift
of eternal salvation.

For one more person,
in His flock gleaned
is one more life
from satan redeemed.

If today you pray,
for God your heart to heal
one more rejoicing knee . . .
to Him will bow and kneel!

~~~~~~

Psalm 95:6-7

O come, let us worship
and bow down: let us
kneel before the Lord
our maker.

For he is our God;
and we are the people
of his pasture, and the
sheep of his hand.
To day if ye will
hear his voice,

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2019
Deborah Ann Belka

Sticky Note to God ~10.29.19~

In This Believer’s Eyes ~

In this believer’s eyes,
God’s beauty I behold
about a time to come
once long ago foretold.

I see a world receding,
as darkness turns to light
I see the glory of my Lord
and no more gloom of night.

I envision a paradise,
like none I’ve ever seen
I foresee a new earth
where everything is pristine.

I visualize a new heaven
where fear will have no reign
I can picture a place with . . .
no tears, no death, no pain.

In this believer’s mind,
I behold a coming day . . .
where all the former things
will have passed away!

~~~~~~~

Revelation 22:5

And there shall be no night there;
and they need no candle, neither
light of the sun; for the Lord God
giveth them light: and they shall
reign for ever and ever.

Revelation 21:4

And God shall wipe away all tears
from their eyes; and there shall be
no more death, neither sorrow,
nor crying, neither shall there be
any more pain: for the former
things are passed away.

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2019
Deborah Ann Belka

For Jesus Created ~

Hand molded by God,
for Jesus ~ created
knowing by the world
we would be hated.

Old man to new one,
awarded a rebirth
good works to do
here on the earth.

Guided and led,
by Spirit of knowledge
to His power and might
there is no stoppage.

Bearing good fruit,
full of God’s goodness
tempered with patience
of our faithfulness.

Created by God,
by His own hands . . .
the intricate design
of His eternal plans!

~~~~

Ephesians 2:10

For we are his workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus unto
good works, which God hath
before ordained that we
should walk in them.

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2019
Deborah Ann Belka

Problematic ~

Some like sheep,
follow whatever herd
no longer caring . . .
if the truth is blurred.

Making decisions,
not at all godly
not bothering to think
exactly how costly.

Some like sheep,
go whatever way
to altered gospels
they easily sway.

Wandering off,
the road that’s straight
forgetting just how
narrow is the gate.

All we like sheep,
have become erratic
tis why the church today . . .
is so problematic!

~~~~~~

Isaiah 53:6

All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned every one to his own
way; and the Lord hath laid on him
the iniquity of us all.

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2019
Deborah Ann Belka

More of You Lord ~

More of You Lord, more of You,
in the things I say and do
less of me Lord, less of me
so more like You I can be.

Lord, I give You my doubts,
take with them all my fear
move me closer to You
so I can draw to You near.

More of You Lord, more of You,
oh Dear Lord, can’t You see
I want to live just for You
and die to all of me.

Lord, I give You all my love,
take my heart and mind too
be my soul’s true reflection
till all I see is all of You.

More of Your will, less of mine,
give me eyes no longer blind
show me Your saving Light
so more of You I can find!

~~~~~~~

Philippians 1:21

“For to me to live is Christ,
and to die is gain.”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2012 Revised 2019
Deborah Ann Belka

My Forever Friend ~

Some people have friends,
they call them their best
but, I have only One . . .
who gives me perfect rest.

With me He never leaves,
by my side He remains
whatever I need of Him
He never complains.

Some people have friends,
they call them their pals
but, I know of only One . . .
whose love never fails.

With me He provides,
all that I could want
my requests of Him
never come back to haunt.

Some people have friends,
they call them whatever . . . .
but, Jesus is my Friend
who will be there forever!

~~~~~~~~

Proverbs 18:24

A man that hath friends
must shew himself friendly:
and there is a friend that
sticketh closer than a brother.

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2019
Deborah Ann Belka

The Color Of Things Coming ~

I watch Fall’s colored leaves,
turn from red to golden brown
drifting on the breeze of Autumn
floating idly to the ground.

They lay in all their splendor,
till rake piles them knee-high
for eye to see and foot to crush
before they wither away and die.

Fall reminds me of the colors,
of the things forthcoming . . .
when Jesus with a trump
declares He is returning.

His eyes will see those waiting,
eagerly for His return
while He crushes under foot
those who gave Him no concern.

As I watch Fall’s colored leaves,
turn from red to golden brown
I pray everyday I can turn . . .
just one sinner’s heart around!

~~~~~~~~~~

Matthew 13:30

Let both grow together until
the harvest: and in the time
of harvest I will say to the reapers,
Gather ye together first the tares,
and bind them in bundles to burn
them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

Hebrews 9:28

So Christ was once offered to bear
the sins of many; and unto them
that look for him shall he appear
the second time without sin
unto salvation.

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2014 Revised 2019
Deborah Ann Belka

God Is All Around ~

Lord, You are inside me,
You’re in my heart . . .
new mercy each day
You give me to start.

You are over me,
You too are below
on me each morning
blessings You bestow.

Lord, You are around me,
You’re in my mind
every day Your hope
is mine to go find.

Lord, You are beneath me,
You are also above
each day You give me
peace, grace and love.

Lord, You are inside me,
You are beside me too
Your Spirit is in me . . .
and mine is within You!

~~~~~~~~~~

Ephesians 4:6

One God and Father of all,
who is above all,
and through all,
and in you all.

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2019
Deborah Ann Belka

The Face of Autumn ~

Lord it is time again,
to see the season change
to watch as Your beauty
the landscape rearrange.

So with wonder and awe,
I watch the face of Autumn
alter it’s many colors
ending Summer’s blossom.

Lord, it is time again,
to harvest the seeds sown
to see which ones for You
have ripened, matured and grown.

So with a grateful heart,
I gather up Autumn’s fruit
which over the span of time
have in You taken root.

Lord, it is time again,
for me to sit and reflect
how I can help to reach . . .
all those who You still reject!

~~~~~~~~~~

Matthew 9:37-38

Then saith he unto his disciples,
The harvest truly is plenteous,
but the labourers are few;

Pray ye therefore the Lord
of the harvest, that he will
send forth labourers into
his harvest.

Jeremiah 8:20

The harvest is past,
the summer is ended,
and we are not saved.

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2019
Deborah Ann Belka