Battle worn
The apostle Peter was warned that Satan desired to sift him like wheat.
Early in my journey, I couldn’t fathom what that would mean.
The spirit world shakes like it's been hit by an earthquake’s mighty tremble.
So many things around me have begun to fall and crumble.
I hold on to God's promise that He will never leave me or forsake me.
Especially when the shaking drives me down upon my knees.
The world around me is dark and my enemy is drawing near.
But, I know I can't give up—I can't give in to fear.
I look to the left and then the right—I’m still fighting on my own.
But it was alone in the onslaught that my battle skills were honed.
Solitude engulfs me and threatens to swallow me whole.
The never-ending warfare has really begun to take a toll.
My soul is tired and weariness tries to overtake me.
But I serve a King like the world has never seen.
I am a Christian soldier and God’s Word says the war is already won.
And it's my love for Jesus that keeps me fighting on.
Early in my journey, I couldn’t fathom what that would mean.
The spirit world shakes like it's been hit by an earthquake’s mighty tremble.
So many things around me have begun to fall and crumble.
I hold on to God's promise that He will never leave me or forsake me.
Especially when the shaking drives me down upon my knees.
The world around me is dark and my enemy is drawing near.
But, I know I can't give up—I can't give in to fear.
I look to the left and then the right—I’m still fighting on my own.
But it was alone in the onslaught that my battle skills were honed.
Solitude engulfs me and threatens to swallow me whole.
The never-ending warfare has really begun to take a toll.
My soul is tired and weariness tries to overtake me.
But I serve a King like the world has never seen.
I am a Christian soldier and God’s Word says the war is already won.
And it's my love for Jesus that keeps me fighting on.
the power in a word
How can a simple word wield so much power?
They can build up your confidence—strong and tall like a tower.
Whispered words of love—so soft and sweet.
They lift you up as if you're floating right off your feet.
Intense emotion can lash out like a whip.
Anger, hate, and fury—they pour right off the lips.
Demeaning words can make your insides wilt with shame.
They hold the power to beat down, thrash, and maim.
They can tear you down—cutting deep like a knife.
Even make you question the value of your life.
Proverbs says, “The power of life and death are in the tongue”.
Once they leave your mouth they can never be undone.
For words, they leave scars on our very souls.
They stick with us through the years—even as we grow old.
So be careful what you say. Never speak in haste.
Be kind, patient and caring—love just like Christ.
They can build up your confidence—strong and tall like a tower.
Whispered words of love—so soft and sweet.
They lift you up as if you're floating right off your feet.
Intense emotion can lash out like a whip.
Anger, hate, and fury—they pour right off the lips.
Demeaning words can make your insides wilt with shame.
They hold the power to beat down, thrash, and maim.
They can tear you down—cutting deep like a knife.
Even make you question the value of your life.
Proverbs says, “The power of life and death are in the tongue”.
Once they leave your mouth they can never be undone.
For words, they leave scars on our very souls.
They stick with us through the years—even as we grow old.
So be careful what you say. Never speak in haste.
Be kind, patient and caring—love just like Christ.
temptation
He lurks patiently in the surrounding darkness.
He whispers his lies in my ear with a soft caress.
Knowing my weakness, he casts his line and dangles the bait.
I'm tempted to take just one little taste.
The fruit is alluring. Appealing to the eye.
As the battle wages within me, I turn my gaze to the sky.
Guilt washes over me. How easily I've forgotten.
I've tasted this fruit before and found the inside rotten.
What I thought would bring me pleasure brought me nothing but pain.
It left me void of everything but immense guilt and shame.
I close my eyes and petition the Lord in prayer.
I clasp my hands and imagine my mighty Savior standing there.
He says, "Though you cannot see me, I'm watching over you."
My heart thumps against my chest as I realize what I must do.
I stand and face my tempter—Look him straight in the eye.
I say, "The new me belongs to Jesus—the old me has died."
"I have been reborn—created completely new.
And the new me will never again fall victim to you."
The serpent made a hiss and quickly slithered away.
I'd triumphed this time, but knew he'd be back another day.
The battle will continue until Jesus takes me home.
Until then, I take comfort knowing He is on the throne.
He gave me the authority over all power of the enemy.
I will endure, for the Spirit, He refreshes me.
He offers me what I need—comfort, peace, and strength;
And because He loves me, I'll endure at any length.
He whispers his lies in my ear with a soft caress.
Knowing my weakness, he casts his line and dangles the bait.
I'm tempted to take just one little taste.
The fruit is alluring. Appealing to the eye.
As the battle wages within me, I turn my gaze to the sky.
Guilt washes over me. How easily I've forgotten.
I've tasted this fruit before and found the inside rotten.
What I thought would bring me pleasure brought me nothing but pain.
It left me void of everything but immense guilt and shame.
I close my eyes and petition the Lord in prayer.
I clasp my hands and imagine my mighty Savior standing there.
He says, "Though you cannot see me, I'm watching over you."
My heart thumps against my chest as I realize what I must do.
I stand and face my tempter—Look him straight in the eye.
I say, "The new me belongs to Jesus—the old me has died."
"I have been reborn—created completely new.
And the new me will never again fall victim to you."
The serpent made a hiss and quickly slithered away.
I'd triumphed this time, but knew he'd be back another day.
The battle will continue until Jesus takes me home.
Until then, I take comfort knowing He is on the throne.
He gave me the authority over all power of the enemy.
I will endure, for the Spirit, He refreshes me.
He offers me what I need—comfort, peace, and strength;
And because He loves me, I'll endure at any length.
father
Who are we mere mortals that you should think of us?
Mighty God—Creator of the vast universe.
Not just a God, but a Father, who guides us along our way.
You walk close beside us through each and every day.
My mind can’t understand it—The mystery of you.
But my heart beats to tell the story that your mighty Word is true.
For your Word—He came to life—Your one and only Son.
He came to free us from the serpent and all the wrongs we've done.
Though we don’t deserve it, you love us anyway.
And one day you’ll bring us home to you where forever we will stay.
Mighty God—Creator of the vast universe.
Not just a God, but a Father, who guides us along our way.
You walk close beside us through each and every day.
My mind can’t understand it—The mystery of you.
But my heart beats to tell the story that your mighty Word is true.
For your Word—He came to life—Your one and only Son.
He came to free us from the serpent and all the wrongs we've done.
Though we don’t deserve it, you love us anyway.
And one day you’ll bring us home to you where forever we will stay.
rescuer
The sea tosses me to and fro as the mighty waves rage on.
It doesn’t care that I’ve been fighting these currents for so long.
The cold water surrounds me, engulfing me.
My body is tired, and my limbs are weak.
My lungs burn, screaming for air.
But the unforgiving sea, it doesn’t care.
I struggle to break the surface
and question if this is justice.
There is an anchor tethered to me.
Its weight keeping me from breaking free.
It’s the sins of my past, all the mistakes I’ve made.
The iron clamped ‘round my ankle cuts in like a blade.
I know I can’t escape; my fate has been sealed.
But then my rescuer in all His glory is revealed.
He says His yoke is easy, that His burden is light.
He reaches down to pull me out, to save me from my plight.
I break the surface and my shackles come undone.
The ugly storm that raged dissipates, making way for the sun.
My Savior smiles, the radiance of it shining even brighter.
He says, “The sea is strong but my love for you is mightier!”
It doesn’t care that I’ve been fighting these currents for so long.
The cold water surrounds me, engulfing me.
My body is tired, and my limbs are weak.
My lungs burn, screaming for air.
But the unforgiving sea, it doesn’t care.
I struggle to break the surface
and question if this is justice.
There is an anchor tethered to me.
Its weight keeping me from breaking free.
It’s the sins of my past, all the mistakes I’ve made.
The iron clamped ‘round my ankle cuts in like a blade.
I know I can’t escape; my fate has been sealed.
But then my rescuer in all His glory is revealed.
He says His yoke is easy, that His burden is light.
He reaches down to pull me out, to save me from my plight.
I break the surface and my shackles come undone.
The ugly storm that raged dissipates, making way for the sun.
My Savior smiles, the radiance of it shining even brighter.
He says, “The sea is strong but my love for you is mightier!”
