A Poem About the Tempter and God's Everlasting Arms

Today's post kinda evolved as the morning dissolved...

It began with the passage below- today's Our Daily Bread Scripture reading...

12 For the word of God is living and powerful,

and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing

even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow,

and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight,

but all things are naked and open to the eyes

of Him to whom we must give account.

14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest

who has passed through the heavens,

Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses,

but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Heb.4:12-16

This morning my waking thoughts turned to today's young parents.

Sometimes my heart/prayer groans for those

who are training up future generations;

Teaching us(them) that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts,

 we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Titus 2:12

Mankind's enemy since the beginning is the Tempter.

Gen.3:1

Now the serpenta was more crafty than any beast of the field

that the LORD God had made.

 And he said to the woman, “Did God really say,...?

He succeeded in deceiving Eve, and Adam also,

and sin entered into the previously perfect world.

where only a perfect sacrifice could wholly redeem sinful humanity, 

And so God, eternally perfect sent His Son/Himself!

'For when we were still without strength,

in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

Rom.5:6

He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.

12But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name,

He gave the right to become children of God—

John 1:11-12

***

I'm in a season of life where children no longer

climb into my lap in the morning, or snuggle up beside me.

In that season, young mothers often find morning devotion-time interrupted! 

I am in a season of life where I can be the child, in a sense,

climbing into my Heavenly Father's lap or snuggling at His side

as I wake up, for reassurance, attention, love and kind affection

 that every child needs!

But ho!! The Tempter is there as well, so it seems!

trying to draw me away from being still

 to ever present distractions and tasks!!

I sat down with a coffee to begin my 'devotions'

then decided I should start the fire first,

then I noticed I should rotate the dry laundry on wooden clothes dryer

with a wet load still waiting...

...then I thought I should fold the dry laundry immediately

 to avoid more wrinkles...

...then, I decided to start another load of laundry

then, I noticed my house plants in the laundry room

were infested with little white gnats that seemed

to be feasting on the insecticidal soap spray 

I treated the plants with a few days ago...

So I snipped off the heavily infested sprigs

 and sprayed the plants and covered them with bags 

to contain things

then I returned to 'my devotions'... 

only to realize as I sat down that

the bird feeders are empty again!!

so I waded through the snow to fill them 

because the hungry birds are fluttering 

in unceasing flocks these snowy days...

...now, back to devotions. oops!

I need to add a log to the fire before it gets too low!!

While downstairs I remember I should take some food out of the freezer

to thaw for tomorrow night's family dinner...

The washer has stopped.

I should switch loads!

'get thee behind me, Satan,' 

My coffee is cold...😑

The tempter still roams earth's summits; young and old, potential prey

Daring us to test truth's limits, taunting 'did God really say...?'

He, an unscrupulous charmer dared to tempt the Son of God

We, without God's word and armour cannot recognize a fraud

...cannot overthrow the liar, cannot discern right from wrong

Cannot purify desire, cannot be holy or strong 

But, greater is He within us who believe God hears our prayer

All who trust the name of Jesus can conquer the Tempter's dare

Can, when doubt and despair cower lean on God's eternal arms

Knowing none can overpower He who frees us from sin's charms  

How commonplace the appearance of love's sacred battlefield

Where God increases assurance/endurance the more that we trust and yield

How comforting is faith's solace; cradled in the arms of He

Who never leaves or forsakes us. What sweeter bliss can there be? 

© Janet Martin 

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms

Lyrics

What a fellowship, what a joy divine,

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!

What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!

Leaning, leaning,

Safe and secure from all alarms;

Leaning, leaning,

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.

2

O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!

O how bright the path grows from day to day,

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!

3

What have I to dread, what have I to fear,

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!

I have peace complete with my Lord so near,

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!

Author: E. A. Hoffman

Elisha Hoffman (1839-1929) after graduating from Union Seminary in Pennsylvania was ordained in 1868. As a minister he was appointed to the circuit in Napoleon, Ohio in 1872. He worked with the Evangelical Association's publishing arm in Cleveland for eleven years. He served in many chapels and churches in Cleveland and in Grafton in the 1880s, among them Bethel Home for Sailors and Seamen, Chestnut Ridge Union Chapel, Grace Congregational Church and Rockport Congregational Church. In his lifetime he wrote more than 2,000 gospel songs including"Leaning on the everlasting arms" (1894). The fifty song books he edited include Pentecostal Hymns No. 1 and The Evergreen, 1873.

A Melody of Mercy Plays (or, A Great and Effective Open Door)

Good, glorious morning (or afternoon) to you!

Lam.3:22-24

Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
23They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
24“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“Therefore I hope in Him!”

Rom.13:11

The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber,...

1 Cor.16:9

For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

A melody of mercy plays where morning is a mist-kissed flow’r...

A melody of mercy plays where morning is a mist-kissed flow’r

Unfolded with a breath of grace from He who orchestrates the hour

God’s loving kindness is enough no matter what today may bring

Goodness and mercy follow us until we dwell at last with Him

He helps us (if we ask) to bear the toll of toil and troubles drills

Faith weeps for joy; from founts of air, God’s unforgetting favor spills

For His compassions never fail, in spite of we who often do

Redemption’s Author rends the veil where mercy’s melody pours through

…where a great and effective door swings wide, where adversaries boast

Thus, we should not advance before we are equipped to face this host

Without the full armor of God, no one is able to withstand

The devil’s wiles; a scheming fraud who thrives on breaking God’s commands

But, praise the name of Jesus Christ; through Him fresh courage is unfurled

Because, greater is He in us than all the armies of the world

Where all who walk by faith behold far more than meets visual gaze

As the bud of today unfolds the melody that mercy plays

…a sweet and solemn battle-hymn, to fit us for frontline warfare

Because the stakes are high and grim, with consequence beyond compare

For, to take up the cross of Christ and follow Him demands our whole

Self is the idol sacrificed to serve the Saviour of the soul

Be of good cheer! Ah, can’t you hear?! a melody of mercy plays

The day of salvation draws near; and then will be the end of days

Come quickly Lord, nay, tarry for too many still reject Your call

Where a great and effective Door opens once more to one and all

© Janet Martin

Rom.13:11-14

And do this, understanding the occasion. 

The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber,

 for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 

12The night is nearly over; the day has drawn near. 

So let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 

13Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, 

not in carousing and drunkenness, 

not in sexual immorality and debauchery, 

not in dissension and jealousy. 

14Instead, clothe yourselves withc the Lord Jesus Christ, 

and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.

Imagine if we lived each day with the awareness that 

we are living just outside the gates of Heaven! or hell.

Below are a few breath-stealing pages

 I have been parked on this week

and I can't resist sharing with you

to enrich your pondering (and practicing) pleasure, 

to challenge, encourage and refine our daily resolutions...

There is a Fountain-

 

For Modern Day Adams and Eves...

Genesis 3:1

Now the serpent was more crafty

than any beast of the field that the LORD God had made.

And he said to the woman,

"Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden?'"

2 Corinthians 11:3

I am afraid, however, that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning,

your minds may be led astray from your simple and pure devotion to Christ.

Gilt-edged dawns and gold-ambience-dusks

 are two of my favorite September things...

a bit like glimpses of a long-lost garden called Eden.

This poem's potential began a few mornings ago, though I was unable to

wrangle it into verse at the time due to other commitments...

Day wakens, crisp and silver-glossed

Dew glistens, on the fringe of frost

September morning, a showcase

Of mist-sashes and gilt-edged grace

Where modern-day Adams and Eves

Are still prey for he who deceives

And all the progress of the age

Cannot temptation's lures assuage 

Where Eden’s aftermath abounds

With unrelenting battlegrounds

And only God’s armor can stay

The charmer’s cunning ploy and play

Of ‘Did God really say?’ and such

To test the quests of taste and touch

With subtle rebuttals of scorn

For He who metes September’s morn

And tumbles before our eyes

Gilt-edged glimpses of paradise

Where each new day is like a flue

God's goodness ad mercy runs through

© Janet Martin

Ps.23:6

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.

***

Before we face each day we ought to do an equipment safety check

so we are fitted for battle because

'we do not wrestle against flesh and blood,'...

Eph.6:10-18

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

11 Put on the whole armor of God,

that you may be able to stand against the [b]wiles of the devil.

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities,

against powers, against the rulers of [c]the darkness of this age,

against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God,

that you may be able to withstand in the evil day,

and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth,

having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able

to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

17 And take the helmet of salvation,

and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,

being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

Because Satan is a Charmer (we need God's Armour)

The reason deceit is so cunning/detrimental is because

it comes in a way that seems right to us, 

but leads to death-

Prov.14:12

There is a way that seems right to a man,

but its end is the way of death.

Because, without knowledge of the Truth

we are prone to believe logic's lie...

Matt.22:9

Jesus answered and said unto them, 

Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, 

nor the power of God.

The knowledge of the power of God 

is the true believer's comfort and peace in these troubled times!

Hallelujah! but...

this is not a sit-back-and-do-nothing-warfare,

it's a watching-God-work as 'we do all we can to stand' warfare...

(see Eph. 6:10-20 below)

Because the wars of faith are fought on battlegrounds within

The Armor of the Lord is for the man beneath our skin

To guard the heart and mind against the liar’s insurgence

Whose mission is to blind us to sin’s dire consequence

Therefore we need God’s armor in a land where evil smiles

So that we may be able to withstand the devil’s wiles

Because rulers of darkness, disguised as angels of light

Are both cunning and heartless, we must be equipped to fight

Without the belt of truth and the breastplate of righteousness

We are like open prey to he who breeds ungodliness

Therefore, we need God’s armor to protect thought’s open street

Where Satan is a charmer and a master of deceit

Pity all whose feet are not shod with the gospel of peace

Who have no shield of faith in God to quench bold wickedness

No helmet of salvation to enrich hope undeterred

And no sword of the spirit which is God’s eternal Word

Oh, pity all who live without God’s armor to secure

Defenseless against darts of doubt, or glamour’s lethal lure

Today, before we take another step, oh pray we pause

And do a thorough armor-check with prayerful care because

We wrestle not with flesh and blood, but evil’s ruthless brood

Who are the enemy of God, truthless, devoid of good

But, with the name of Jesus and the power of His might

God’s grace equips and frees us from the fear of death/man, to fight

© Janet Martin

Take the Name of Jesus with You

 

Eph.6:10-20

The Whole Armor of God

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 

11 Put on the whole armor of God, 

that you may be able to stand against the [b]wiles of the devil. 

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, 

but against principalities, against powers, 

against the rulers of [c]the darkness of this age, 

against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 

13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, 

that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, 

and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth,

 having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 

15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

 16 above all, taking the shield of faith 

with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 

17 And take the helmet of salvation, 

and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, 

being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 

19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, 

that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 

20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; 

that in it I may speak boldly, 

as I ought to speak.

No Easy Street ...But God, Faithful and True

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.

Today I am helping at the funeral of a dear sister in our church family

who lived ninety-nine and a half years on this earth

with many, many joys and trials,

but the moment she closed her eyes the shroud of Time fell away,

the glass she peered through darkly disappeared;

in the twinkle of an eye the corruptible put on incorruption, 

mortality put on immortality!

Thinking about this makes us re-evaluate what really matters, doesn't it?!

In the Sweet By and By

Johnny Cash

(would love to link each line to the scripture but

There is a funeral meal waiting to be prepared💗👑😊🙏)

This is no Easy Street; this ‘fighting the good fight’

This ‘making every effort to Shine forth, a blameless light

To walk as wise, not fools; to be careful to keep

God’s commandments and laws, lest idly, we fall asleep

This is no Easy Street; this walk by faith, not sight’

This ‘renouncing ungodliness’, this ‘suffering for Christ’

This ‘walking worthy of the calling we received

Worthy of the gospel of Christ we confessed and believed

This is no Easy Street; to ‘therefore watch and pray’

To take up our cross to follow Jesus every day

To make faith’s sacred calling and election very sure

To be strong in the Lord through the hardship we must endure

This is no Easy Street; obedience and trust

To follow what is good and to deny all worldly lust

To be rich in good works; to walk humbly and kind

To love the Lord our God will all our heart, soul, strength and mind

This is no Easy Street; to take captive each thought

And not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought

To offer our bodies as a living sacrifice

And to shun profane babbling that leads to ungodly vice

This is no Easy Street; to repay good for ill

To surrender as Jesus did and utter ‘not my will’

To know the Scriptures so that we are thoroughly equipped

To abound in love and good works like our Example did

And give more earnest heed to that which we have heard

To grow in the knowledge and grace of Jesus through His word

To commit to stand firm; to take heed, lest we fall

He who saved us has called us to the greatest work of all

This is no Easy Street; but God, faithful and true

Is rich and grace and mercy and He cares for me and you

Who, through his risen Son, births in us living hope

The Father of compassion and comfort who helps us cope

…and makes us strong in Him; the power of His might

When we put on His full armor, will fit us for the fight

For God resists the proud but gives the humble grace

His eyes are on the righteous who long to behold His face

…who strain toward the goal; with holy zeal press on

To win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in His Son

Who lay up heavenly store; who have ‘beautiful feet’

Whose joy is in the Lord and not in quests for Easy Street

This is no Easy Street; the strait that few will find

That leads to life when soon we leave this world of strife behind

Where the fulness of joy and pleasures evermore 

Make worth the little while and mile that we suffer before

© Janet Martin

Word-Girded

Dear fellow-friend, fellow-trav'ler

I pray for us today

That we would search and trust God's word

To show and lead the way

Eph.6:13-17

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, 

that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, 

and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, 

having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

  above all, taking the shield of faith 

with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

  And take the helmet of salvation, 

and the sword of the Spirit, 

which is the word of God;

And here it is, all the above in One!

and all other books ever written

cannot take the place of This one, 

the Eternal Word of God...

'Heaven and earth will pass away, 

but my words will never pass away.'

Matt. 24:35

By Thy word, Lord, not mind's logic,

Let the lens that we look through

Slay doubt’s deathly and demonic

Misconceptions about You

Shine Thy word, a lamp to our feet

And a light unto life's path

Let salvation’s message repeat

Man's redemption from Thy wrath

When temptation tries and teases

We are more than conquerors

If we put our faith in Jesus

Man’s divine deliverer

In this world we will have trouble

Sorrow is love’s compromise

Time is like a bobbing bubble

Cupping an eternal prize

By Thy Word, Lord, let love's witness

Be honest and undefiled

Lead us in paths of righteousness

Thou, our/my Father, I/we, Thy Child

Thou, the Author of salvation

Knew our best would be inept

By Thy blood-bought invitation

We are saved if we accept

By Thy Word, Lord, not sight’s onus

Let faith’s mind be stayed on Thee

Let the perfect peace You promise

Be our cry of victory

© Janet Martin

(this post was first written in first person, me/my

then I prayed for my family and changed it to we/our,

then I prayed for my extended family (you)

and in the end it became a poem for all of us!!🙏💖)

Preparing For Combat

How do we prepare for combat?

For something will (without a doubt) test where we are at

Since time began man has been at odds with each other.

In the very first family Cain murdered his brother.

What gets our ire sparked most severely

What are the values we hold to most dearly

How in the muddle of this human race

Of political, ethical, theological debates

Can we be equipped for the battle at large

and know what to do when our tempers cry 'CHARGE!'

The Armor of God 

Eph.6:10-17

10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 

11Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 

12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, 

but against the rulers,

against the authorities, 

against the powers of this dark world 

and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 

13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, 

you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 

14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, 

with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 

15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 

16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, 

with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 

17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

How long this trampled...

...sampled orb

has weathered seasoned ways...

(this morning the snow has returned to its rightful October place😊)

How long this trampled, sampled orb has weathered seasoned ways 

Where man forgets to give the Lord His righteous due of praise 

Where constant combat wages twixt desire and despair 

As human heart engages in fight-to-the-death warfare 

And never ought to leave exposed one vulnerable part 

Lest the sly serpent’s hate should penetrate with fatal dart 

How often we leap out of bed and seize the ready rod 

Then dash into the fight without the full armor of God 

Aha, man’s confrontation with temptation is severe 

If we rush into battle without God’s protective gear 

And not until we realize our dilemma is grim 

Is careless pride cut down to size as we call out to Him 

Who can afford to disregard the Lord’s prerequisite? 

The power of His might is not an accidental fit 

But with sober intention the wise soldier puts in place 

The infallible armor of God’s righteousness and grace 

So that we may withstand the arrows of the enemy 

And be equipped to fight the good fight unto victory 

© Janet Martin 

My Soul Be On Thy Guard

  

Lyrics in English

My Soul Be on Thy Guard

George Heath

1. My soul, be on thy guard,
   Ten thousand foes arise,
   And hosts of sin are pressing hard
   To draw thee from the skies.
2. Oh, watch, and fight, and pray,
   The battle ne’er give o’er,
   Renew it boldly every day,
   And help divine implore.
3. Ne’er think the vict’ry won,
   Nor once at ease sit down;
   Thine arduous work will not be done
   Till thou hast got the crown.
4. Fight on, my soul, till death
   Shall bring thee to thy God;
   He’ll take thee at thy parting breath
   Up to His blest abode.

Victors, Even As We Fight

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, 

and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him.

By this we know that we love the children of God, 

when we love God and obey his commandments.

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. 

And his commandments are not burdensome.

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. 

And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

Who is it that overcomes the world 

except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

1 John 5:1-5

Not overcome by evil; no, but victors even as we fight

We battle a defeated foe if we are walking in the Light

Though Satan like a lion roams still seeking whom he may devour

Though he with desperation combs the world with his limited power

He knows the fullness of his woe and the hopelessness of his plight

And though the victory is won the fight is real; the fight is hard

And though the work of Christ is done, the soul must be on sober guard

To be love’s living sacrifice with kind regard to human race

To be willing to pay the price that comes with Mercy’s gift of grace

As on hope’s Steadfast Beacon we fix faith’s blurred reason, sorrow-scarred

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might

Put on the whole armour of God so you may withstand evil’s smite

For without Him defeat is sure; death and hell, its secured reward

Ah, who such anguish can endure and who such horror can afford

But we, according to His word, are victors even as we fight

© Janet Martin

Eph.6:10-18

 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  

 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  

 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, 

but against the rulers, against the authorities, 

against the powers of this dark world 

and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  

 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, 

you may be able to stand your ground, 

and after you have done everything, to stand.  

 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, 

with the breastplate of righteousness in place,  

 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  

 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, 

with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  

 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, 

which is the word of God.

  And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. 

With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.