Tag Archives: Jesus

Rich in Faith

9 Mar

“I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” Revelation 3:18 (KJV)

—

When my youngest son was in grade school, he took great pride in telling people that he was going to be a millionaire. We all smiled, cheered him on, and knew that in light of the failing economy, his dream would probably always remain that . . . a dream.

My son was dogged determined to believe in his wealthy future, even though his friends and acquaintances laughed at him. At home we let him dream. Every week he had a new plan on how he was going to make it happen; logistics aside, he had it all figured out.

One day he began to question me, “When I’m a millionaire, what kind of house do you want me to buy you?”

“A small house on an acre; easy for me to clean and yet room for all of my animals,” I said.

Next he asked, “When I’m a millionaire, what kind of a car do you want me to buy for you?”

That was easy, “A car that holds my whole family and starts every time I turn the key.”

He sat there perplexed for a few minutes and then quietly said, “Mom, you’ve been poor for so long that you don’t know how to dream rich anymore.”

Dreaming about being financially rich was never something I did. I grew up in poverty and learned how to stretch a dollar at a young age. When we had a little extra, we shared. When we had a little less, we did without and we did just fine. Money was never something that defined me . . . my faith was.

My faith and trust in God has made me feel rich beyond belief. When my children chose to spread their wings and walk away from our home and our beliefs; I knew God was watching over them. When doctor’s reports came in with shadows of death, the faithful prayers of the Saints brought a miracle. When my job was gone and I had to search for a new job along with millions of other people; God provided a wonderful job and made provision for us as we waited. I could not buy the things that my God has given me . . . even if I had all the money in the world.

Thank you Jesus for being my provider, my healer, my Savior and my friend. Thank you for always making me feel abundantly, exceedingly rich!

—

Written By Linda J. Humes

Written on 3-4-2012

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The Flame Inside

13 Feb

“And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”   Acts 2:3-4

 

The flame that glows inside my soul speaks endless words:

  • Words of Joy for the brokenhearted,
  • Words of Peace for those caught in turmoil,
  • Words of Healing for those who suffer,
  • Words of Hope for those in despair,
  • Words of Patience for those who strive,
  • Words of Kindness for those who have suffered at the hands and words of others,
  • Words of Gentleness for those who have lived through trauma,
  • Words of Self-Control for those torn by addictions,
  • Words of Goodness to those who have felt the pains of rejection,
  • Words of Faithfulness for those who have been betrayed,
  • And Words of Love for every soul, young and old, pleasant and tormenting, with a deeper portion for the most unlovable.

 

Lord God, give me the power to unleash the flame,

Growing it large enough to cover every need with Warmth and Grace.

 

Let my words flow with the gift of Life.

Use Me . . . . .

————

Written by Linda J. Humes on 2-13-2018

Published 2-18-2018

Republished 10-13-2021

Republished 6-26-2022

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WHAT IF HE . . .

17 Sep

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:19  KJV

 

💕

What if He hadn’t done it that day,

Fashioned our lives with compassion and clay.

💕

What if the Garden had soon been destroyed,

Because of man’s sin against God, there deployed.

💕

What if He hadn’t called Noah to build,

If He’d thought it easier if all had been killed.

💕

What if He hadn’t called Moses to lead,

Had left wayward people to tend Pharaoh’s needs.

💕

What if He hadn’t sent Manna for food,

But waited ‘til man proved righteous and good.

💕

What if He hadn’t sent Giants to flight,

If He hadn’t called David to stand up and fight.

💕

What if He hadn’t sent Joshua to scout,

If all those who went said there was no way out.

💕

What if He hadn’t sent people to pray,

Provide for the Prophets, to open the way.

💕

What if He hadn’t sent Jesus to die,

Then where, in God’s world, would stand you and I.

💕

What if He hadn’t resurrected that day,

Come back to earth to show us the way.

💕

And what if He hadn’t called you and I,

But left us to sin, to shame and to die.

💕

But He didn’t leave us, Never will the Word reads.

He stands right beside us, And provides all our needs.

 

 

 

💕 Written 3/18/95

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SACRIFICE

16 Sep

“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”  Hebrews 13:15  KJV

✝

The Ancient of Days,

cast Himself to the earth,

in the form of a seed,

in the womb of a virgin.

✝

Subject, now, to heat and cold,

to fatigue and illness,

to prejudice and ridicule,

to suffering and pain.

✝

The Ancient of Days,

became man,

flesh, blood and Spirit;

willingly giving,

the power of deity,

for the birth of a nation.

✝

The God of Jessie,

born through the sacrifice of blood,

to become the blood sacrifice.

✝

From the promises to Adam,

to the revelation shown John,

the blood of God coursed the earth,

changing strength and direction,

at the tributary called Christ.

✝

The new stream of Christ,

fed the trees of new life,

where the roots of the old,

were washed clean.

✝

The water, most pure,

chased the stagnant pools of red,

that once rinsed man’s hands,

but touched not the soul.

✝

The water, most pure,

flowed over and cleansed,

the wounds of the past,

refreshing the hope,

of a dark, tarnished dream.

✝

The water of life,

borne from the blood,

of an innocent man,

takes sweet revenge,

on the deepest of sin.

✝

Released to be washed,

by the power of mercy,

by the treasure of grace,

it rises back up,

to the base of the cross.

✝

There, at the cross,

the blood and water,

of grace and mercy,

flows down to the earth,

as forgiven sin reaches up,

meeting at the feet of Christ.

✝

Running together they became one,

the earth shook with promise,

the sky darkened,

to reveal a new light,

and the rivers flowed,

with a new wine,

washing clean the weary souls,

of all that would reach forth,

in praise.

✝

 

 

Written 10-18-1998

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PRAISE

14 Sep

“For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:”  2 Corinthians 2:15 KJV

✝

Breath of Heaven,

whispers down,

soothes,

caresses,

covering,

with sweet oils,

of the anointing.

✝

The face of God,

reflects in the tears

of the worshiper.

✝

Water and oil,

flowing together,

drips to the ground.

✝

Called to earth,

by the sweet fragrance,

of sacrificed praise;

sweet,

fresh,

Rose of Sharon.

✝

His robe whispers,

billows,

whispers,

as His feet gently tread,

on Holy Ground.

✝

The Angels sing,

Holy,

Holy.

The anointing flows,

covers,

soothes,

caresses.

✝

Holy, Holy,

as the voice of God,

reaches the lost,

and bursts forth,

once again,

in Praise.

✝

 

Written 7-17-97

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LITTLE CHILD

12 Apr

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. Luke 4:18-19

…

Huddled mass, skin and bone,

Family gone, not a home.

Alcohol, to soothe the pain,

Curb the heat, repel the rain.

…

The future looks very bleak,

Live day by day, week by week.

Need to change, don’t know how,

Need it bad, need it now.

…

Little child, deep inside,

I am here, I am light,

Come to Me,

You’ll be free.

I am Jesus.

…

Every night, fight and steal,

Need the drugs, need to deal.

Seated deep, anger hides,

Worthlessness, fear inside.

…

Drugs help forget, take you high,

Just for today, it’s gone tonight.

Have to stop, too much strife,

I want to love, I want a life.

…

Little child, deep inside,

I am here, I am light,

Come to Me,

You’ll be free.

I am Jesus.

…

Daytime I sleep, nights work the street,

Sometimes it’s okay, sometimes I’m beat.

Don’t matter to no one, no one to care,

I can’t run away, I wouldn’t dare.

…

I still have a family, ran away from that mess,

Afraid to go back, they hate me, I guess.

I want to be wanted, want someone to care,

I need arms to hold me, someone to be there.

…

Little child, deep inside,

I am here, I am light,

Come to Me,

You’ll be free.

I am Jesus

…

Work all day, sometimes nights,

Work is tough, at home we fight.

Plagued by bills, how can we pay,

Sometimes I want to run away.

…

A wife and kids, they need to be fed,

Would they do better with me dead.

I can’t hardly cope with the pressure today,

There must be something, there must be a way.

…

Little child, deep inside,

I am here, I am light,

Come to Me,

You’ll be free.

I am Jesus.

…

Home all day, kids to tend,

House to clean, clothes to mend.

Screaming and fussing, night and day,

I want out, but there’s no way.

…

Husband’s late, if he comes home at all.

Drinking and fighting, never does call.

Don’t want today, don’t want tomorrow,

There must be some way to end this sorrow.

…

Little child, deep inside,

I am here, I am light,

Come to Me,

You’ll be free.

I am Jesus.

…

When it all seems to hard,

When there seems no way out,

When it all seems so hopeless,

Lives of anger and doubt.

…

There’s one who can help you,

He’s faithful and strong.

He’s waiting to greet you,

Whatever your wrongs.

…

He is Jesus.

Written 3/17/95

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IN JESUS’ NAME

22 Dec

 

“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:10-11 

—

Life, I claim You, In Jesus’ name,

Beauty pure and free.

—

Love, I show you, In Jesus’ name,

All the world to see.

—

Lord, I praise you, In Jesus’ name,

You’re everything to me.

—

Gentle Days and tender nights,

throughout eternity.

.

.

I smile with every sun lit sky,

as gentle breezes blow.

—

I joy with every star filled sky,

the Heavens all aglow.

—

I warm with every tender bud,

drawn open by the rain.

—

I know they were all given me,

when I called in Jesus’ name.

.

.

Life, I claim You, In Jesus’ name,

Beauty pure and free.

—

Love, I show you, In Jesus’ name,

All the world to see.

—

Lord, I praise you, In Jesus’ name,

You’re everything to me.

—

Gentle days and tender nights,

throughout eternity.

—

Written in 1992 as a song

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HUMBLE DILIGENCE

15 Dec

For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Matthew 5:18

—

Against hardened hearts,

practiced tradition,

perverse generations,

– You stand.

—

Humble, yet determined,

Diligent, yet patient,

Tender, yet firm,

– You stand.

—

Weeping for souls lost in unbelief,

Weeping for generations to come,

following the curse of their father,

Weeping for each and every battle

that you are not prayed into.

Weeping for the souls that will not cry out,

– You stand.

—

Your Word does not change,

Your love, everlasting,

Your message is open and free,

You are life,

You are joy,

You are peace,

– You stand.

—

Diligently waiting,

– You stand.

—

Tenderly calling,

– You stand.

—

Lovingly listening,

– You stand.

—

Standing on truth,

Standing on the Word,

Standing on the side,

Waiting,

– For Me.

 

—

Written 10-20-94

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Only By Faith

24 Nov

And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace. Luke 7:50

—

By faith stood Abraham,

in the promise of Isaac.

—

By grace it came to pass.

overcoming natural life,

birthing a child,

in a lonely golden year.

—

Faith took the promise,

and blew life into lifelessness.

—

Faith saw Isaac as the sown seed,

laughter come at last,

then grace matured it,

multiplying it.

—

Fourteen generations flowed,

from Abraham to David,

through Jacob and Obed,

and Jesse.

—

Fourteen generations flowed from David,

until the carrying away into Babylon,

through Solomon,

through Manasses,

through Josias.

—

Then fourteen more flowed,

from Babylon to Christ,

the Word manifest in flesh,

the Keeper of eternity.

Through Achim,

Eleazar to Jacob,

the father of Joseph,

the husband of Mary,

the mother of Christ.

—

By faith did Mary accept the promise,

that grew within her womb.

—

By faith did Joseph accept Mary,

heavy with child,

not of his loins,

not of his love.

—

By grace they stood as one,

on a destined night,

the sky brightened,

by the Glory of God,

in the shape of a star,

pointing down to the Son.

—

By faith Joseph took Jesus,

adopted now,

into the lineage of Abraham,

adopted now,

as a child of promise.

—

By grace Joseph watched,

as He grew to a man,

well before His years.

—

Our perfect pattern,

our Shepherd and King.

—

Now, by faith, we trust in His Word,

our heritage blessed by driven saints,

and tarnished by those who did evil,

in the sight of the Lord.

—

By faith are we accepted,

are we adopted,

into His kingdom,

joint-heirs with Christ,

children of promise,

just as He did,

so long ago.

—

By grace will we walk,

in His footsteps,

as best as we are able,

crying out for strength,

for peace, for love.

—

By faith we receive all,

grace has promised,

and more,

for only by our limited faith,

can we see into,

God’s limitless plan.

 

—

Written 11/8/98

 

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DETERMINATION

22 Nov

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.    Ephesians 6:13

—

In the area where I live we have huge black ravens, much larger than the hens in my chicken coop. When we first moved here we were in awe of them as several would group by the side of the road taking care of an unfortunate rodent left lifeless by the wheels of a car.

Having one quite small child, the older boys decided they would make it a point to keep a close eye on him at all times, lest 2 or 3 of those ravens took a notion to carry him away. Jon is now big enough to fend for himself – but over the years we’ve heard many stories of missing kittens, chicks and puppies at the strong and powerful claws and wings of the ravens. Many wish they could banish the threats to the mini-farms in the area, but the ravens are protected birds because of their scavenger lifestyles and the service they do to the community by cleaning up the roadways and fields of carrion.

This time of the year, a little past spring but not into the hottest of summer, the birds are making their nests, laying eggs and tending to hatchlings. Crisp morning songs fill the air and faint shrill chirps announce new life. I sat on my porch with a steamy cup of tea, enjoying my time with Jesus, when I heard the loud deep “Caw” of the raven and sharp screeching of a smaller bird. There in front of me flew the duo – big black bird in the lead and the smaller bird behind – diving at the raven and pecking him hard on the back. Across, as far as I could see, this continued – “Caw” – shriek – attack– “Caw” – shriek – attack.

That momma bird was not going to allow that predator to take the treasures of her nest – even though she was less than 1/10th the size. Nothing could stop the instinctive determination of that momma bird – even though the raven was easily strong enough to turn around and destroy the threat that pursued it.

My, my, my – would I have done the same? When an overwhelming spirit of evil shadows my life, do I look at the size and the “apparent” hopelessness of the situation and give up my chance to stand? Do I remember the words of God that tells me “He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.” (PS 91:4-6) and that “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD . . .“ (IS 54:17). That “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” (Mt 17:20). That if I had the determination of a small momma bird – no predator could displace the tiniest twig of my nest.

Jesus, help me to meditate night and day on Your promises, knowing that they are not only for others, but also for me. Keep my feet strong in adversity and when I have all that I know to do to stand, that yet still I WILL stand.

—

Written 6-14-07

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