God Is Greater ~

God is greater,
than satan is . . .
He protects those
who He calls His.

He gives His wisdom,
so we can pick out
the lies satan tells
without any doubt.

God is greater,
than he who deceives
He gives discernment
to those who believe.

He shows us how,
to make satan flee
by helping us to be
temptation free.

God is greater,
than satan thinks
for at sin . . .
God no longer winks!

~~~~~~~~

1 John 4:4

Ye are of God, little children,
and have overcome them:
because greater is he that is
in you, than he that is in the world.

Acts 17:30

And the times of this ignorance
God winked at; but now
commandeth all men
every where to repent:

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2024
Deborah Ann Belka

~ to GOD be the GLORY ~

Not Of My Doing ~

Not of my doing,
but that of the Lord’s
for only He can cut . . .
sin’s strangling cords.

For once chocking in sin,
to Him I was dead . . .
but now through His love
I am alive instead.

Nothing to boast about,
nothing here to see . . .
only through my faith
and the grace He gave me.

For there wasn’t anything,
I could do for my soul . . .
only Jesus could save it
and make me in Him whole.

Not of my doing,
no good works to be done
we can only be saved . . .
by the gift of God’s Son!

~~~~~~~~

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 2024
Deborah Ann Belka

~ to GOD be the GLORY ~

Afternoon Ponderings ~09.17.23~

Acts 26:18

Good Morning Quote ~09.17.23~

Dry Seasons ~

Dry seasons . . .
times of spiritual drought
times of agonizing doubt

times to reflect from within
times to confess known sin

times God’s voice we can’t hear
times of significant fear

times where we learn and grow
times for God’s mercy to show

times of weakness not strength
times we keep God at arm’s length

times to meditate and pray
times to hear what He’s to say

times of desperation and lack
times to turn to God back

Dry seasons . . .
times of spiritual growing
times for more of God knowing!

~~~~~~~~

Psalm 107:9

“For he satisfieth
the longing soul,
and filleth
the hungry soul
with goodness.”

King James Version

Copyright 2013 Revised 2023
Deborah Ann Belka

~ to GOD be the GLORY ~

Jesus Our Conqueror ~

There is not a fear,
that Jesus can’t conquer
there is not an enemy
that He can’t capture.

There is not a problem,
that Jesus can’t solve
there is not a dilemma
that He can’t resolve.

There is not a burden,
that Jesus can’t lift
there is not a load
that He can’t shift.

There is not a need,
that Jesus can’t provide
there is not a sea
that He can’t divide.

There is not a darkness,
that Jesus can’t make light
there is not a sin
that He can’t make right.

There is not a moment,
that Jesus isn’t there
there is not one soul
for which He doesn’t care!

~~~~~~~~

Matthew 19:26

But Jesus beheld them,
and said unto them,
With men this is impossible;
but with God
all things are possible.

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2013 Revised 2023
Deborah Ann Belka

~ to GOD be the GLORY ~

 

Love Came to Win ~

Love came to conquer,
Love came to deploy
mercy and grace . . .
so sin it could destroy.

Love came to stop,
the adulterer and murderer
the thug and the thief
the blasphemous and perjurer.

Love came to defeat,
the back-biter and gossiper
the arrogant and the conceited
the prideful ego worshiper.

Love came to overpower,
the rebellious and greedy
the contentiously and sordid
the belligerent and seedy.

Love came to conquer,
every form of sin
Love came to save . . .
Love came to win!

~~~~~~~~~

1 Corinthians 6:9-10

Know ye not that the unrighteous
shall not inherit the kingdom of God?
Be not deceived: neither fornicators,
nor idolaters, nor adulterers,
nor effeminate, nor abusers of
themselves with mankind,

Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards,
nor revilers, nor extortioners,
shall inherit the kingdom of God.

2 Corinthians 5:21

For he hath made him to be sin for us,
who knew no sin; that we might be
made the righteousness of God in him.

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2014 Revised 2023
Deborah Ann Belka

~ to GOD be the GLORY ~

It’s Time to Wake Up ~

The alarm has been set,
the hour is drawing near
and in these perilous days
the wake-up call is clear.

The signs are all around,
just as we’ve been told
lovers of their own selves
are getting more bold.

Just take a look around,
and tell me what you see
haters of good and God
you can no longer flee.

You can see the proud,
up and down our streets
parading in defiance
on their self-serving feet.

Children are being taught,
to choose a new gender
destroying young lives
God considers tender.

Standing on our corners,
you’ll find those begging
for you to support
their ungodly way of living.

It time to wake up,
and hear the warning bell . . .
or else life here on earth
will be become a living hell!

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

2 Timothy 3:1-5

“This know also, that in the last days
perilous times shall come. For men
shall be lovers of their own selves,
covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers,
disobedient to parents, unthankful,
unholy, without natural affection,
trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent,
fierce, despisers of those that are good,
Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of
pleasures more than lovers of God;
having a form of godliness,
but denying the power thereof:
from such turn away.”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2023
Deborah Ann Belka

~ to GOD be the GLORY ~

Afternoon Ponderings ~07.20.23~

Isaiah 58

A Mop and A Broom In Every Room ~

I wander through my mind,
go from room to room
and in each one I find
a mop and a broom.

In the room of rebellion,
with all its dirt and grime
I sweep away all my sins
He washes away the slime.

In the room of panic,
with all its anxious fears
I sweep away my concerns
He washes away my tears.

In the room of sorrow,
with all the loss I’ve known
I sweep away my grief
He washes away my groan.

In the room of anguish,
with all its hurt and pain
I sweep away my faults
He washes away the stain.

In the room of doubt,
with every regret and qualm
I sweep away my disbelief
He washes me in His calm!

~~~~~~~~

Psalm 51:2

“Wash me throughly
from mine iniquity,
and cleanse me
from my sin.”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2023
Deborah Ann Belka

~ to GOD be the GLORY ~

From Ashes to Beauty ~

One day all of our sorrows,
will be a thought of no more
when from ashes into beauty
we enter through heaven’s door.

The brokenhearted will see,
their painful grief bound up
their mourning will be silenced
by the oil of joy in His cup.

He will raise the soul penitent,
from their fallen, sinful state
the poor in spirit He’ll elevate
all the way to heaven’s gate.

He’ll set the remorseful free,
from the chains of their sin
as the yoke of guilt and shame
no longer chokes from within.

All those who have made Jesus,
the Lord and Master of their life
will not be punished or condemned
nor be damned for their past strife.

He’ll comfort all who’ve mourned,
as to Him their praises sing . . .
and their garments will be draped
with the glory that He will bring!

~~~~~~~~~

Isaiah 61:3

To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion,
to give unto them beauty for ashes,
the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of
praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they
might be called trees of righteousness,
the planting of the Lord, that he might be
glorified.”

Copyright 2013 Revised 2023
Deborah Ann Belka

~ to GOD be the GLORY ~

Up Against Satan ~

I fight not against the bait,
that is placed upon the hook
but rather against satan who want’s
to keep me out of life’s book.

I wrestle not against the helm,
that fights the winds at sea
but rather against the gusts of sin
that the devil blasts at me.

I struggle not against the storms,
that I battled with each day
but rather against the evil powers
that want me on the wide way.

I grapple not against a people,
that can’t see my point of view
but rather against their defiance
of a Savior they never knew.

I am up against a universe,
made by God for man’s delight
yet opts to live in the darkness . . .
then to dwell in His saving light!

~~~~~~~~

1 Timothy 6:12

“Fight the good fight of faith,
lay hold on eternal life,
to which you were also called
and have confessed the good
confession in the presence of
many witnesses.”

Ephesians 6:12

For we wrestle not against flesh
and blood, but against principalities,
against powers, against the rulers
of the darkness of this world, against
spiritual wickedness in high places.

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2023
Deborah Ann Belka

~ to GOD be the GLORY ~

Greater Is Jesus ~

Be sober and be vigilant,
for satan’s alive and well
always be on the alert
for the falsehoods he tells.

Keep your eyes on him,
for he’s roaming all around
and it brings him pleasure
when he can take you down.

The nearer you are to God,
the closer he will move in
he’ll use any device he can
to trap you into habitual sin.

He is known to be a liar,
for he wants you to believe
God’s mercy and forgiveness
you’ll never be able to receive.

So do not be deceived,
when satan starts to woo
just remember greater is He . . .
that lives inside of you!

~~~~~~~~

1 Peter 5:8

Be sober, be vigilant;
because your adversary the devil,
as a roaring lion, walketh about,
seeking whom he may devour:

1 John 4:4

“Ye are of God, little children,
and have overcome them:
because greater is he that is in you,
than he that is in the world.”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2023
Deborah Ann Belka

~ to GOD be the GLORY ~

It’s True God Loves You ~

God loves you,
a fact that is true . . .
just take a look and see
what He did for you.

God loves you,
gave to you His only Son
just take a glimpse
at all He has done.

God loves you,
if you’d just believe
Jesus died for your sins
forgiveness you’d receive.

God loves you,
Jesus paid the debt
and into your heart
He’s longing to get.

God loves you,
yes, this is true . . .
you ask me how I know
because my heart He drew!

~~~~~~~

John 3:16

‘For God so loved the world
that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him
should not perish
but have everlasting life.”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2023
Deborah Ann Belka

~ to GOD be the GLORY ~

Afternoon Ponderings ~06.23.23~

1 John 4:10

God’s Escape Plan ~

Some say God won’t give us,
anything we can’t handle
but, if this was true . . .
with sin we’d never battle.

For, everyday we must fight,
the temptations that we see
and it’s the choices we make
that’ll either snare or set us free.

We know satan can be,
a manipulative charmer
and we must be prepared
by wearing our full armor.

Then when the devil attacks,
we’ll be able to take a stand
by giving him our resisting . . .
get out of here command.

I know one thing that is true,
if into temptation we fall
God has an escape plan . . .
when on His name we call!

~~~~~~~~

1 Corinthians 10:13

There hath no temptation taken you
but such as is common to man: but
God is faithful, who will not suffer you
to be tempted above that ye are able;
but will with the temptation also make
a way to escape,
that ye may be able to bear it.

James 4.7

Submit yourselves
therefore to God.
Resist the devil,
and he will flee from you.

Ephesians 6:11

Put on the whole armour of God,
that ye may be able to stand
against the wiles of the devil.

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2023
Deborah Ann Belka

~ to GOD be the GLORY ~

Lord, Empty Me Of Me ~

Lord, empty me of me,
so, I can be filled with You
drain my soul of my pride
the stubbornness in it too.

Remove my self-importance,
take my smugness away
get rid of the very thought
I can do things my own way.

Lord, empty me of me,
the arrogance and conceit
to my own selfish will . . .
may I give it a back seat.

Take away the former greed,
the need for self-indulgence
to any unrighteousness . . .
give me a zero tolerance.

Lord, empty me of me,
fill me with the Spirit of You
so I may embody . . .
all You would say and do!

~~~~~~~~~~

Romans 8:9

“But ye are not in the flesh,
but in the Spirit, if so be that
the Spirit of God dwell in you.
Now if any man have not the
Spirit of Christ,
he is none of his.”

King James Version
by Public Domain

Copyright 2023
Deborah Ann Belka

~ to GOD be the GLORY ~

A World So Broken ~

A world that is so broken,
and by satan blinded
needs to the Life . . .
be constantly reminded.

For Jesus is the answer,
to a world that is lost
for its redemption . . .
can be found on the cross.

A world falling apart,
and by satan so deceived
needs to the Truth . . .
once and for all to believe.

For God sent Jesus,
His only begotten Son
to save the whole world
from the evil wicked one.

A world that is spinning,
dangerously out of control
needs to find the Way to make . . .
Jesus the center of its soul!

~~~~~~~~

2 Corinthians 4:4

In whom the god of this world
hath blinded the minds of them
which believe not, lest the light
of the glorious gospel of Christ,
who is the image of God,
should shine unto them.

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2023
Deborah Ann Belka

~ to GOD be the GLORY ~

Washed Of Your Sins ~

Forgiveness divine,
repent and believe
the power of grace
you will receive.

Washed of your sins,
gone is the shame
when you trust Jesus
nothing is the same.

Bathe in His mercy,
soak up His fullness
plunge yourself into
all of His goodness.

Healing compassion,
immersion of love
the blood of our Savior
God’s gift from above.

Forgiveness divine,
today is the day . . .
God’s mercy and grace
are just one prayer away!

~~~~~~~~

1 John 1:9

“If we confess our sins,
he is faithful and just to
forgive us our sins,
and to cleanse us from
all unrighteousness.”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2013 Revised 2023
Deborah Ann Belka

~ to GOD be the GLORY ~

Thank God It’s Good Friday ~

I thank God,
it’s Good Friday
I’m so grateful
for this one day.

For my Savior,
endured for me
the pain, the shame
to set me free.

I thank God,
for Jesus dying breath
for it saved me
from eternal death.

For my sins,
on the cross He bore
so I could have life
with Him forever more.

I thank God,
it’s Good Friday
for Jesus is to Him . . .
the only pathway!

~~~~~~~~~~

1 Peter 2:24

“Who his own self bare our sins
in his own body on the tree,
that we, being dead to sins,
should live unto righteousness:
by whose stripes ye were healed.”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2019
Deborah Ann Belka

 

God Forgives And Forgets ~

Not only does God forgive,
He too completely forgets
every one of your sins
along with all of your regrets.

He blots out your mistakes,
and every transgression
once to Him you give Him
your heartfelt confession.

He remembers no more,
your past evil misdoings
He removes the wickedness
of your wrongdoings.

He throws behind His back,
your misdeeds and distrust
and all of your actions
He would consider unjust.

God forgives and forgets,
and you really must too . . .
by focusing on what’s ahead
not what is behind you!

~~~~~~~~

Isaiah 43:25

I, even I, am he that blotteth
out thy transgressions for mine
own sake, and will not
remember thy sins.

Psalm 103:12

As far as the east
is from the west,
so far hath he removed
our transgressions from us.

Philippians 3:13

Brethren, I count not myself
to have apprehended:
but this one thing I do,
forgetting those things
which are behind, and
reaching forth unto those
things which are before,

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2023
Deborah Ann Belka

~ to GOD be the GLORY ~

He Lifted Me Up ~

Once I was broken,
beaten and down
then came my Savior
to bring me around.

Who would believe it,
who would have known
Jesus thought of me . . .
as one of His own.

He lifted me up,
high off the ground
making my steps
solid and sound.

Heavenly blessings,
He wants to give
sinful indiscretions
He came to forgive.

He lifted me up,
high off the ground
making my steps
solid and sound.

Angels of mercy,
He sends my way
helping me to walk
on these feet of clay.

Once I was broken,
beaten and down . . .
but, because of Jesus
I’ll receive life’s crown!

~~~~~

Psalm 40:2

“He also brought me up
out of a horrible pit,
out of the miry clay,
and set my feet upon a rock,
and established my steps.”

James 1:12

Blessed is the man that
endureth temptation:
for when he is tried,
he shall receive the crown
of life, which the Lord hath
promised to them that love him

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2013 Revised 2023
Deborah Ann Belka

~ to GOD be the GLORY ~

Death To The Old Man ~

Die old man die,
get thee out of my way
I want nothing of yours
so just die and go away.

Die old man die,
I have no use for you
die to self and to flesh
for in Christ I am new.

Die old man die,
I’ll not follow your lead
die to worldly ambition
for Jesus is all that I need.

Die old man die,
you don’t rule this heart
die to all that is keeping
Jesus and I apart.

Die old man die,
I will not let you win
die to all the trappings
you disguise as not sin.

Die old man just die,
get thee out of my way
for I will die to you . . .
so death to you I say!

~~~~~~~

Romans 6:6

Knowing this, that our old man
is crucified with him, that the
body of sin might be destroyed,
that henceforth we should not
serve sin.

2 Corinthians 5:17

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,
he is a new creation; old things
have passed away; behold,
all things have become new.“

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2013 Revised 2023
Deborah Ann Belka

~ to GOD be the GLORY ~

The Greatest Love Letter Ever~

For God so loves the world,
He gave to all His only Son
who came to mend and heal
the heart and soul of everyone.

It doesn’t matter your race,
or the color of your skin
Jesus wants to forgive you
and cleanse you from your sin.

You may be rich and happy,
you may be poor and weak
but we’re all bankrupt
if His grace we do not seek.

You may be blind or deaf,
but that won’t stand in His way
for He came to teach and show
how sin causes death and decay.

You may be a thief or murderer,
an idolater or an oppressor
but that won’t stop His promise
to set free every transgressor.

It doesn’t matter your offense,
to Him all sin is the same
what matters most to Jesus
is to believe in His name.

For God so loves the world,
He gave to us His only Son
and there is no greater . . .
love letter sent from anyone!

~~~~

John 3:16

“For God so loved the world,
that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in him
should not perish,
but have everlasting life.”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2023
Deborah Ann Belka

~ to GOD be the GLORY ~

Good Morning Quote ~01.04.23~

A World Sin Cursed ~

Today we are living,
in a world sin cursed
and each day it seems
it keeps on getting worse.

But, God sent His Son,
to put an end to . . .
the dark, evil things
that wicked people do.

Today we are living,
in a sin riddled society
no longer is there . . .
a culture of godly piety.

But, Jesus can change,
hearts made of stone
for He lived and He died
so sin He could atone.

Today we are living,
in a world sin stricken
but, Jesus was God’s Gift
so all could be forgiven!

~~~~~~

2 Timothy 3:1-7

This know also, that in the last days
perilous times shall come.

For men shall be lovers of their own
selves, covetous, boasters, proud,
blasphemers, disobedient to parents,
unthankful, unholy,

 Without natural affection, trucebreakers,
false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers
of those that are good,

Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers
of pleasures more than lovers of God;

Having a form of godliness,
but denying the power thereof:
from such turn away.

For of this sort are they which creep
into houses, and lead captive silly women
laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

 Ever learning, and never able to come
to the knowledge of the truth.

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2022
Deborah Ann Belka

~ to GOD be the GLORY ~

Afternoon Ponderings ~12.21.22~

Ephesians 6:12

Get Right With God ~

If you want to get,
with God right . . .
you’ll need with sin
to put up a fight.

For your wickedness,
will keep you apart
unless you turn over
to God your heart.

If you want to be,
for your sins forgiven
the life you now live
you need to stop liven.

For the evil things,
that you now do
can no longer be
a part of you.

If with God you want,
to get things right
ask Jesus in your heart
right now tonight!

~~~~~~

Romans 10:9

That if thou shalt confess
with thy mouth the Lord Jesus,
and shalt believe in thine heart
that God hath raised him from
the dead, thou shalt be saved.

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2022
Deborah Ann Belka

~ to GOD be the GLORY ~

This Lowly Body ~

One day this lowly body,
will be transformed
no longer by sin effects
will it be deformed.

It will be like Jesus,
beautiful and glorious
it will rise with Him
jubilant and victorious.

One day this lowly body,
will be made whole
no longer will satan be
gunning for my soul.

I will have a new one,
when Jesus comes again
no longer this vile body
will I have to restrain.

One day this lowly body,
will be totally sin free . . .
when in the clouds
with Jesus I go to be!

~~~~~~~~

Philippians 3.21

Who shall change our vile body,
that it may be fashioned like
unto his glorious body,
according to the working
whereby he is able even to
subdue all things unto himself.

Matthew 24:30

And then shall appear the sign
of the Son of man in heaven:
and then shall all the tribes of
the earth mourn, and they shall
see the Son of man coming in
the clouds of heaven with
power and great glory.

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2022
Deborah Ann Belka

~ to GOD be the GLORY ~

The Things I Do ~

Sometimes I do,
what I shouldn’t do
for I know it’s not . . .
what Jesus would do.

Sometimes I act,
how I shouldn’t act
for I know it’s not . . .
how Jesus would act.

Sometimes I say
what I shouldn’t say
for I know it’s not . . .
what Jesus would say.

Sometimes I behave,
how I shouldn’t behave
for I know it’s not . . .
how Jesus would behave.

Sometimes I struggle,
Jesus to be like You . . .
and I hate saying and doing
what You wouldn’t say or do!

~~~~~~~~

Romans 7:15

For that which I do I allow not:
for what I would, that do I not;
but what I hate, that do I.

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2022
Deborah Ann Belka

~ to GOD be the GLORY ~

That Old Man ~

Sometimes that old man,
sneaks his way back in
for our souls he wants
to repossess and win.

So he taunts us with our past,
dangling in front of us
the delights we once found
in our former worldly lusts.

He tells us we needn’t be,
so committed to God’s Word
that we can still find delight
if the truth could be blurred.

He tantalizes us with things,
once giving us such pleasure
telling us they’re more rewarding
then our heavenly treasure.

Sometimes that old man,
in our lives creeps back in
but we who are saved . . .
know he is all about the sin!

~~~~~~~~

Ephesians 4:22-23

That ye put off concerning
the former conversation
the old man, which is corrupt
according to the deceitful lusts;

Romans 7.18

For I know that in me
(that is, in my flesh,)
dwelleth no good thing:
for to will is present with me;
but how to perform that
which is good I find not.

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2022
Deborah Ann Belka

~ to GOD be the GLORY ~