Showing posts with label Easter Poem. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Easter Poem. Show all posts

Sunday, April 9, 2023

A Hallelujah Poem

I couldn't quite collect my thoughts this morning to complete this post
but celebrating a risen Redeemer is right on time any time of day or night
Hallelujah!

Today, Easter, is a day of great joy for those of the household of faith
yet, also a day of great sorrow as we mourn for those who reject Him...

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, 
the evidence of things not seen.
Heb.11:1





 

Have you ever tried to visualize that morning long ago?
The women first, then the disciples, coming to Jesus' tomb while it was still dark!!
to find the stone rolled away!!
 and their Beloved Teacher/Friend/Lord gone!

John 20:1-10
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark,
 Mary Magdalene went to the tomb 
and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 
2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple,
 the one Jesus loved, and said,
 “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, 
and we don’t know where they have put him!”
3 So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 
4 Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.
 5 He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in.
 6 Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. 
He saw the strips of linen lying there,
 7 as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. 
The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen.
 8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first,
 also went inside. He saw and believed. 
9 (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) 
10 Then the disciples went back to where they were staying.

Luke 24:1-8
On the first day of the week, very early in the morning,
 the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 
2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb,
 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes 
that gleamed like lightning stood beside them.
 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, 
but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?
 6 He is not here; he has risen! 
Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 
7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, 
be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 
8 Then they remembered his words.



While some still doubt, some still believe
(Some scorn what some revere)
But someday every eye will see
The One that faith holds dear

No trumpet blast that morn to wake
The world to death’s defeat
But in the hush before daybreak
Faith beheld and believed

Where death and hell were overthrown
Where love and life prevailed
Where angels rolled away the stone
And schemes of darkness failed

Where Jesus’ body had been laid
Where guards stood watch in vain
Where Mary looked and wept, dismayed
At what was not yet plain

…. There, sorrow’s sobs turned into joy
Jesus, mighty to save
(The One that death could not destroy)
Had risen from the grave

The power and the glory of
Mankind’s Saviour and Friend
Covered sin's hopeless debt with love
(Conquered hate's vilest deed with love)
No thought can comprehend

Once and for all our sins He bore
Pray what more do we need
Than to praise Him forevermore
For He is Lord indeed

© Janet Martin


Wednesday, April 5, 2023

Does It Not (Bid Thought to Marvel)


 


Grace and peace to you from God our Father 
and the Lord Jesus Christ,
 4 who gave himself for our sins 
to rescue us from the present evil age, 
according to the will of our God and Father, 
5 to whom be glory for ever and ever. 
Amen. 
Gal.1:3-5


Does it not bid thought to marvel
He who knew no sin became
Sin's sacrifice for all people
To redeem us through His Name

Does it not stir adoration 
For He whose blood was out-poured
Once for all, the soul's salvation
Wrought, through Jesus Christ the Lord

Does it not stun contemplation
That the Son of God should be
Humbled to death's meanest station
On a cross for all to see

Crushed beneath the weight He carries
Sinless, bearing all our sins
For we, beneficiaries
Of His holy sufferings 

Does it not undo vainglory
To view hate's presumptuousness
While love, clothed in bloodshed, gory
Wove faith's robes of righteousness

Does it not renew surrender
Does it not steal our breath
To behold the soul's Defender 
Obedient unto death

Look, where love's manifestation
Suffered voluntarily  
Does it not stir adoration
From the likes of you and me

Jesus Christ gave Himself for us
Bearing Pardon's Albatross 
So that we we may be victorious
Through the power of the cross

Does it not bid thought to marvel
At the hope the cross affords
Through sin's sacrifice so royal-
King of Kings and Lord of lords

   © Janet Martin















Wednesday, April 20, 2022

How Precious Is The Fountain


Easter is not a season we celebrate
but love's reason to rejoice and celebrate every day eternally🎝🎜🙌



 1 Pet. 1:18-21

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold 
that you were redeemed from the empty way of life 
handed down to you from your ancestors,
    but with the precious blood of Christ,
 a lamb without blemish or defect. 
   He was chosen before the creation of the world, 
but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 
   Through him you believe in God, 
who raised him from the dead and glorified him, 
and so your faith and hope are in God.




How precious is the fountain filled with everlasting life
The lifeblood of our Saviour spilled where pardon still runs rife
Where not just once but constantly awe draws us to the place
That sets the sorry sinner free with love’s redeeming grace
To gaze upon Mangled Perfection with beholden breath
And praise God for the resurrection that overcame death

How precious is the fountain, not of water but of blood
Where we are drawn so often just to marvel at its flood
And wash in torrents that atone, where joy and sorrow meld
In worship, as we weep and groan through trials not withheld
Where we are more than conquerors, through He who loves us so
The anchor of hope not authored by what we see, but know

How precious is the fountain that streams from Calvary’s cross
Where faith can remove mountains if we count all but Christ loss
'Dear Lord have mercy, I believe, now help mine unbelief
Make the reward faith will receive, desire’s earnest chief'
As we press on victor'ous, through the precious blood of Christ
May the joy set before us make sweet every sacrifice

© Janet Martin





Sunday, April 17, 2022

The Morning (that changed everything) Has Broken



Happy, Glorious Easter to one and all!

He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.
Come and see the place where he lay.

Matt.28:6




The morning that changed night to day has broken; praise His Name
Come, see! the grave where Jesus lay has been robbed of its claim
The wrath of God is satisfied; salvation’s plan fulfilled
And many will be justified through the blood God's Son spilled

The morning that turns tears of grief to leaps of joy prevails
Arise; let doubt turn to belief where God’s word never fails
Where from the darkness of the grave a new Light is unfurled
For He who is mighty to save has overcome the world

The morning that secures hope’s faith has broken; lift your head
This is the day we celebrate Christ risen from the dead
Death cannot dominate what Jesus’ Resurrection won
The verdict of the sinner’s fate rewritten by God’s Son

The morning that changed everything has broken; shout and sing
The cross of sorrow’s suffering leads to the risen King
Jesus, the one we crucified will pardon and forgive
For as in Adam we all died, in Christ we all will live

The morning of God’s glory has broken; let worship pour
Love’s everlasting story reigns through Christ forevermore
Grace suffered once for all; redemption’s darkest hour borne
Calvary’s gall has broken into Resurrection’s Morn

© Janet Martin

1 Cor.15:19-22
If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.
But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have [b]fallen asleep. 21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive




Thursday, April 14, 2022

So When Death's Solemn Shadows Fall


Heb.10:26-31
The Just Live by Faith...
26For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth,
 there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,
  27but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, 
and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.
  28Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law 
dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 
29Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy 
who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, 
counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, 
and insulted the Spirit of grace? 
30For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” [g]says the Lord.
 And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” 
31It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.


Psalm 16:11
You will show me the path of life; 
In Your presence is fullness of joy; 
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

How holy swells the wellspring where Time’s finite fathoms toll
Each breath subtly unraveling the mantle ‘round the soul
How fragile is the fleeting glove of man’s mortality
Where He who wove us with His love instilled eternity

…so when this little life is through, if we believe in Him
Death will be but the doorway to the place where pleasures brim
As all our tears are wiped away forevermore by He
Who stepped from Heaven’s throne to pay sin’s debt in agony

So when Death’s solemn shadows fall no terror fills its wave
Unless, still we refuse to call on He, mighty to save
Unless because of unbelief, pride scorned the blood grace spilled
And wakes to the eternal grief of rejection fulfilled

To all He pleads, come unto Me, sin's sentence to atone  
Salvation for humanity is found in Christ alone
Where, Holy God's mercy unfolds another day of grace 
Until faith's fulfillment beholds the glory of His face 

How holy swells the spring where Love's infinite fathoms roll 
Each breath softly unraveling the glove that veils the goal  
Pray, when Death's solemn shadows fall beneath the Reaper's knife
Tis but the the Saviour's tender call to everlasting life

© Janet Martin

Isa.53:4-5
Surely He has borne our [g]griefs
And carried our [h]sorrows;
Yet we [i]esteemed Him stricken,
[j]Smitten by God, and afflicted.
5But He was wounded[k] for our transgressions,
He was [l]bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes[m] we are healed.


Wednesday, April 13, 2022

How To Know What Love Is...


1 John 3:16-20

This is how we know what love is: 
Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.
 And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 
17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need
 but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 
18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
19 This is how we know that we belong to the truth 
and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: 
20 If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, 
and he knows everything.

(version 1)




When through ancient age/page we travel
When our hearts are wholly gripped
As we trace and humbly marvel
And embrace redemption’s script
As the grace that wrought salvation
Stuns us with love’s magnitude
Mercy’s divine transformation
Turns despair to gratitude

Draws the heart, no longer hardened
(Though this world with horrors groans)
To the cross where sin is pardoned
To the One whose death atones
All who come without excuses
All who repent and believe
Not one sinner, He refuses
His forgiveness to receive

Look! Behold Hope’s holy horror
At Love’s body, bathed in blood
At the Healer’s Hands, nail-burrowed
From Him spews redemption’s flood
Hark! He cries, by all forsaken
Behold! Now He bows His head
Look! He dies, the skies are shaken
As the graves give up their dead

But Death was a fated rival
I AM no grave could constrain
Jesus Christ arose triumphal
Over sin and death; amen
This is how we know what love is
Jesus Christ laid down his life
Love does not forget its promise
Wrought through Heaven's sacrifice

This is joy; to be forgiven
Love's broken body, life’s bread
Where, still through all earth from Heaven
Runs redemption’s scarlet thread
This is hope’s unflinching anchor
Though time’s troubled tempests roll
Hallelujah what a Savior
This is faith that makes us whole
Hallelujah, what a Savior
Jesus, Savior of the soul


© Janet Martin



Monday, April 11, 2022

This Is Love's Power and Glory

To the Christian the power of God;
 His Word that in the beginning created the heavens and the earth,
His love that brought salvation to the world,
His Son who suffered our sin's penalty,
 are first thoughts that come to mind when hearing the word 'power'!

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, 
because it is the power of God 
that brings salvation to everyone who believes: 
first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.



The Power of the Cross-Keith and Kristyn Getty



Death could not subjugate Life Everlasting
Hatred could never be greater than love
The empty cross was hope’s graphic forecasting
Christ shed the grave like a linen glove

‘"Tetelestai!" "It is finished!" Love’s story
Nothing can thwart; the tomb’s stone could not stay
‘Thine is the kingdom, the power and glory
Forever.' Nothing can take it away

No one can nullify the sinner’s pardon
No one the King of kings can overthrow
After the battle of wills in The Garden
Christ, through submission vanquished hope’s dark foe

Redemption’s scarlet flood flows through the ages
Nothing can abrogate Atonement’s Gift
Though scorn is violent and hate, tenacious
Hope is an anchor that nothing can shift

Though wars unfold horrors, brutal and gory
These are the fulfilling of prophecy
Before the King of Kings appears in glory
To dispel evil in a fiery sea

Death, is the shadow that each breath is casting
Death, though it seems to have the final word
To those whose hope is in Life Everlasting
Know God’s love and justice is undeterred

Love’s hands, through which hatred’s daggers were driven
Love’s brow thorn-torn; Love’s body crucified
Love’s blood, the flood whereby sins are forgiven
This is the love that stripped death of its pride

This is love’s power and glory we honour
Name above all names, Love, mighty to save
This is the power above any other
This is the glory that shatters the grave

Death cannot subjugate Life Everlasting
Hatred will never be greater than love
The empty cross is hope’s symbol, forecasting
Graves that will be shed like a linen glove

© Janet Martin



Sunday, April 4, 2021

Arise, Arise (and let the sacrifice of praise begin)

 

Without His resurrection there could be no 
hope of resurrection/Heaven for us 
on the glorious Day when He returns!
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Is this not then the most precious verse in the whole gospel!

Matthew 28:6
He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.


Lest ignorance or apathy becomes our greatest sin
Arise, arise, and let the sacrifice of praise begin
The tomb that held His body and the stone that sealed the door
Could not contain the hope of man that lives forevermore

Then do not let the stones cry out but sing with all our might
Salvation’s plan has been fulfilled; darkness has turned to light
What seemed to be the end was but the part that man could see
The sorrow and the suffering before the victory

Take heart, the part that we behold is not fulfillment yet
Then praise He who did not withhold forgiveness of sin’s debt
But gave his life to offer man, life more abundantly
By becoming a bloody, broken body on a tree

At Calvary they could not see death and hell overthrown
Or fulness of the gospel as it poured from skin and bone
Or how He was set down, enthroned at the right hand of God
For they had seen the heavy stone, the guards, the lifeless bod

But then He rose and grief turned into joy beyond compare
Hope lives; then let redemption’s hymn become a living prayer
He loved beneath the hateful smite and sting of nails and swords
Oh, praise the name of Jesus, King of kings and Lord of lords

For He will not forsake us; His love is faithful and true
Victory’s shining hour waits when life’s travail is through
Receive the gift He came to give; the One we crucified
And crowned with thorns has borne The Rose; let Christ be glorified

© Janet Martin



Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Because Of His Mercy...

"He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.
 He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 
so that, having been justified by his grace, 
we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life."

You are invited to join us as we worship on Good Friday

and Easter Sunday!


Harmonica players have a special place in my heart
so I chose this version of a favorite hymn for this post


 



Does mercy not make worth the while of ‘smile and try again’
For mercy meets us in each mile it metes, of joy and pain
Life’s flight of forward measured mien would be a fear-filled Must
Without love’s merciful Unseen to anchor hope and trust

Oh Lord, increase faith’s sacred claim, as we press to the Prize
Let Your Name be the only name our worship magnifies
Let the sword of the Spirit (which is your Word) be our might
For by your mercy, we are brought/bought from darkness into Light

May the mercy that you have shown fill us and overflow
From vessels made of skin and bone, so everyone may know
That You loved us so much you sent Your Son to pay the price
So that no one may perish but all have eternal life

Because of your mercy oh Lord our faith is not in vain
By Your mercy grace has restored mankind to You again
The deceiver, the enemy of God is overthrown
Once and for all you shed Your blood sin’s verdict to atone

Your sacrifice has washed away the need for bull and ram
For blood of beast could never pay, only a perfect Lamb
So by the mercy of the One who beheld Calvary
I AM became the scapegoat for the likes of you and me

Oh, let the wonder of such love give weary souls a lift
God loves each one of us so much He still holds out His Gift
Of ‘all who believe will not perish but will be forgiv’n
And receive everlasting life; not death and hell, but Heav’n

Mercy holds wide the door; the Ark of Safety is not sealed
Look up, do not ignore the stripes whereby mankind is healed
Whereby Hope is an anchor though life's storms may surge and toss
Mercy secures faith’s armour in the power of the cross

© Janet Martin

Isa.53:4-6
Surely He took on our infirmities and carried our sorrows; 
yet we considered Him stricken by God, struck down and afflicted.
 6We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; 
and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.…

...without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place
 by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us
 through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 
 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings,
 having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience 
and having our bodies washed with pure water. 
 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 
 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 
 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, 
but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.


Tuesday, March 30, 2021

To God Be The Glory Forever

 To God Be The Glory



To God be the glory
He did not withhold
The wonderful story
The cross would unfold
From death’s scene, so gory
From grief’s gloomy knell
Christ rose in victory
Over death and hell

To God be the glory
Death did not prevail
For sinners so sorry
His blood will not fail
Faithful to the finish
He suffered the cost
Nothing could diminish
His love for the lost

To God be the Glory
His beloved Son
Fulfilled His Love Story
With ‘Thy will be done’
Knowing Mercy’s offer
Would make scoffers laugh
Yet willing to suffer
On scorner’s behalf

To God be the glory
Whatever we face
Is not without mercy
From love’s nail-scarred grace
Whatever the sorrow
We must suffer through
To God be the glory
For He suffered too

To God be the glory
All who have believed
Will share in the Victory
That Jesus achieved
Through Redemption’s story
Of Never Again
To God be the glory
Forever, amen

© Janet Martin

Wednesday, February 17, 2021

What A Love!

 

Today, for some Christians, Lent begins.
This meditation is a reflection
to remind us we give
because
we have been given!

How does one select only one,
from a vast collection of amazing renditions of this song; 


Redemption, what a word 
Released from a debt we incurred 
Forgiveness signed by blood of He 
Who authored sky and sod and sea 
And died upon a cross for us 
Redeemed from sin by Him, Jesus 

Salvation, what a gift 
Divine atonement spans the rift 
That began when Adam and Eve 
Were ripe and ready to deceive 
When doubting God, they ate the fruit 
That He forbade, and sin took root 

Grace, mercy’s uttermost 
Saved, not by works lest any boast 
But for man’s universal Fall 
He sealed our pardon once for all 
And will our every sin forgive 
To all who repent, look, and live 

Hope, what a glorious goal
Awaits faith's death-victorious soul
No one can add or take away
What Christ accomplished on that day
When from death to life He arose
Triumphant over Eden's woes

Jehovah, what a God 
Demons tremble and saints applaud 
He who is coming back again 
But not even angels know when 
We will behold heavens ablaze 
With Son of Man, Ancient of Days 

© Janet Martin 

Sunday, April 12, 2020

Believer's Hallelujah Hymn

Wishing One and All A Blessed Easter!
 
 Because shopping is limited this year our family got a card in place of chocolate...
not as tasty but lasts much longer!💕

emblems for communion during our online WBC Easter service

 This song is tradition!
Hallelujah!!

more moving music!


Oh praise the name of He who came
To triumph over sin and death
A perfect Lamb, the Great I AM
Offered Himself on man’s behalf
Then let earth’s courts with worship ring
As we adore the risen King

Oh, sing with joy, none can destroy
The finished work upon the cross
The cruelty of Calvary
Did not deter Him from love’s cause
‘Tetelestai’ they heard Him cry
The temple’s veil rent in reply

O, wholly, holy worship He
The Rock of ages moved the stone
And rose in glorious victory
Death and the grave are overthrown
Then never let our worship cease
But praise and praise the Prince of Peace

© Janet Martin

so hard to choose just a few hymns 
for such a glorious occasion!



Sunday, April 21, 2019

An Easter Exaltation Hymn


 The song below is an Easter Tradition on this blog.
Join in this hymn and worship Him for 
He is not here but is risen!
 Matt.28:9


Trade your tears for exultation
Join the charge angels employ
Worship the God of salvation
Turn your grief to songs of joy

Hail the Lord of earth and heaven
Join creation with each breath
Gone the curse that ended Eden
Jesus triumphs over Death

Let the Love of He who loved us
Enough to offer His Son
To be sin’s sacrifice for us
Stir our love for everyone

Jesus lives; man’s sin forgiven
Broke the bondage of the grave
Saviour of the World is risen
Praise the One who came to save

“It is finished” ends His mission
Resurrection proves His Might
Turns the Hour of contrition
Into victory and Light

Trade your tears for exaltation
Join the charge angels employ
Worship the God of salvation
Turn your life to songs of joy

© Janet Martin