Image: Designvibes, Pixabay
Three things will last forever – faith, hope, and love – and the greatest of these is love
(1 Corinthians 13:13; NLT).
1. Lord,
You give us all the gift of faith:
A little seed –
But we must do our best
To help it grow, through prayer, thanks, and rejoicing,
So it becomes a tree
Where others rest
2. Lord,
You give us all the gift of hope:
A touch of yeast –
But we must make it spread,
And help it grow, through prayer, thanks, and rejoicing,
So many more can eat
Your living bread.
3. Lord,
You give us all the gift of love:
A tiny spark –
But we must fan its flame,
And help it grow, through prayer, thanks, and rejoicing,
So others burn
To praise your holy name.
Love flashes like fire, the brightest kind of flame
(Song of Songs 8:6; NLT).
References
1. The promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it (Romans 4:16; NLT).
Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like? How can I illustrate it? It is like a tiny mustard seed that a man planted in a garden; it grows and becomes a tree, and the birds make nests in its branches” (Luke 13:18-19; NLT).
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15; NIV).
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; NIV).
2. This letter is from Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, appointed by the command of God our Saviour and Christ Jesus, who gives us hope (1 Timothy 1:1; NLT).
He also asked, “What else is the Kingdom of God like? It is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough” (Luke 13:20-21; NLT).
I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh (John 6:51; NLT).
3. God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16; NLT).
Fan into flame the gift of God, [for] the Spirit of God does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:6-7; NIV).
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them (Romans 12:9; NLT).
Let them all praise the name of the Lord (Psalm 148:13; NLT).
All the nations you made will come and bow before you, Lord; they will praise your holy name (Psalm 86:9; NLT).
I love the fact that we not just accept these gifts but grow them through prayer, thanks and rejoicing. In those three responses lies the very essence of our walk with the Almighty, without them our life in Him would be a stagnant pool rather than living water. I really love that love is “a spark” that we can by prayer, thanks and rejoicing fan it into a flame! Oh that the love of God in us would become a dancing flame spreading across our nation like a wild fire, driven by the wind of His Spirit.
Ruth this is one of your best poems in my view, it is super inspiring and totally sanctified. May our Father God continue to bless your heart, mind and health.
Hi Alan, I replied (via my newly-purchased business plan), but there was no send button, so I’m trying again. Thank you so much for your amazing comments, though I cannot take any credit for what God gives me. May he bless you and all your family. With love from Ruth XXXX