Make me strong

Jesus, my LORD, my God, as the new year dawns,
my earnest prayer is that you make me strong,
for through you, I can do all things
and to this promised word, I cling, my King.

Give me a new heart that is after your very own
One that will be faithful to the end, and never you disown.
Put in me, your Holy Spirit who renews
so that through my life and my lips, I will not your name misuse.

Help me to endure all trials and temptations
and through them not forget to fear you and love you by keeping your commandments
for in it, is my whole duty; my life’s summation
that I may receive the crown of life, at the coronation.

Every word of yours is pure, and I put my trust in you, so be my shield
as I sow you, Saving SEED, in this perverse and faithless field
that find your gift of Grace and Love offensive, who refuse to yield
to your Sovereignty and futilely their idiocy against you wield.

Let me not have my eyes on the perishable things below
but let me seek and set my affection on the things that are above.
Let me die to sin and self, since I am risen with you
being your appointed watchman, on the streets, the pulpit and the pew.

As the god of this world and the world brings me distractions,
let me never lose focus and always exercise my faith in you only with action.
So that with you and your people, all my interactions
will bring God the glory and you total satisfaction.

Jesus, my LORD, my Savior, as the new year dawns
my earnest prayer is that you make me strong
for ONLY through you, I can do all things
and to this promised word, I cling, my King.

From the Author’s/Poet’s Desk: 
As we arrived at the beginning of a new year, reminiscing on the year gone past and looking forward to the year ahead,this poem is requisition of our hearts, that in the coming year, my family (Sangeetha, Reuben, Ittai and me), are in STRONG through Christ Jesus.During the watchnight service on December 31st, at the Austin Christian Fellowship of India (ACFI), my wife, Reuben I picked promise cards for each one in the family and the cards we picked were as follows:

For Mano: If ye be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. (Colossians 3:1-2)
For Sangeetha: Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. (Proverbs 30:5)
For Reuben: Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. (James 1:12)
For Ittai: A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.  (Ezekiel 36:26)

This poem references those promises so that it can remind us of God’s promise to each one of us personally. Additionally, by way of voting (poll), the theme that was picked for the ACFI church was “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” taken from Philippians 4:13, which is also referenced in the poem as a reminder.

It is written with pronouns such as ‘I’, and ‘me’ to make it personal to the reader. I reckon you substitute your name or your family’s wherever appropriate to personalize this poem for yourself and be edified.

An explanation of the poem in square brackets has been given below. There are some sections of the poem that may need further explanation, and if you need any clarifications or have comments, please do not hesitate to contact me. God bless.

Jesus, my LORD, my God, as the new year dawns,
[Jesus is my personal LORD and God - January 1st, 2013]
my earnest prayer is that you make me strong,
for through you, I can do all things
and to this promised word, I cling, my King.
[Philippians 4:13; Not only is Jesus my LORD and my God, but my King as well]

Give me a new heart that is after your very own
[Ittai's promise card  - Ezekiel 36:26]
One that will be faithful to the end, and never you disown.
[Matthew 24:13]
Put in me, your Holy Spirit who renews
[Ittai's promise card - Ezekiel 36:26]
so that through my life and my lips, I will not your name misuse.
[Titus 1:16]

Help me to endure all trials and temptations
[Reuben's promise card - James 1:12]
and through them not forget to fear you and love you by keeping your commandments
for in it, is my whole duty; my life’s summation
[Ecclesiastes 12:13; John 14:15 - If we love Jesus, we will keep his commandments]
that I may receive the crown of life, at the coronation.
[Reuben's promise card - James 1:12]

Every word of yours is pure, and I put my trust in you, so be my shield
[Sangeetha's promise card - Proverbs 30:5]
as I sow you, Saving SEED, in this perverse and faithless field
[Matthew 1:21; Genesis 3:15; Luke 9:41; John 16:9]
that find your gift of Grace and Love offensive, who refuse to yield
[John 6:61]
to your Sovereignty and futilely their idiocy against you wield.
[Romans 1:21; Acts 26:14]

Let me not have my eyes on the perishable things below
but let me seek and set my affection on the things that are above.
[Mano's promise card - Colossians 3:1-2]
Let me die to sin and self, since I am risen with you
being your appointed watchman, on the streets, the pulpit and the pew.
[Ezekiel 3:16-22; The Song of Solomon 3:3; Isaiah 26:1; Nehemiah 7:3]

As the god of this world and the world brings me distractions,
[2 Corinthians 4:4; James 4:4]
let me never lose focus and always exercise my faith in you only with action.
[Hebrews 12:1-2; James 2:17]
So that with you and your people, all my interactions
will bring God the glory and you total satisfaction.
[Matthew 22:37-40; Matthew 5:16]

Jesus, my LORD, my Savior, as the new year dawns
[Jesus my LORD, my God and my SALVATION]
my earnest prayer is that you make me strong
for ONLY through you, I can do all things
[Not by might, not by power, But By Jesus Christ and only by His Spirit in me]
and to this promised word, I cling, my King.
[Jesus, the KING OF KINGS - my King]

Constant Communion

O Lord, it is the first of the year
And this, my earnest request, I pray thee hear
That with you, ‘I have Constant Communion
For fruitless will I be, without that union.’

‘Behold, I come quickly’, came your word
And in me, your Holy Spirit stirred
And on this impending Truth, I gird
So please show me each moment, my prayer you heard.

In my family that loves you, I see
That your favor is life for life, and not momentary
And in all of the issues that life deals
We can hold fast, for with your stripes we are healed.

No weapon formed against thee shall prosper, you promise.
And on this, help me have the faith of the centurion, not Thomas.
And in the coming year, anticipating your return, our lively hope
Help me to lean on you at all times, when atop mountains, in valley depth or any slope.

Fixing my eyes on Jesus, let me march into battle
Bridle my tongue, lest I dishonor you by my prattle
In your presence, let my words be few
So I may experience your faithfulness and mercy, each day anew.

O Lord, it is the first of the year
And this my earnest request, I pray thee hear
This one thing, I desire and seek
To love you and be loved by you, I plead.

---

From the Author’s/Poet’s Desk:
As we arrived at the beginning of a new year, reminiscing on the year gone past and looking forward to the year ahead, this poem is requisition of our hearts, that in the coming year, my family (Sangeetha, Reuben and the one, soon to be born), and I are in CONSTANT COMMUNION with God.

During the watchnight service on December 31st, at the Austin Christian Fellowship of India (ACFI), my wife and I picked promise cards for each one in the family and the cards we picked were as follows:
For Mano: … in his favor is life (Psalm 30:5)
For Sangeetha: … with his stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5)
For Reuben: No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper … (Isaiah 54:17)
For our son (to be born): Blessed be God, … for he has begotten us into a lively hope … (1 Peter 1:3)
This poem references those promises so that it can remind us of God’s promise to each one of us personally. Additionally, by way of voting (poll), the theme that was picked for the ACFI church was “Be Ye Ready for Jesus Christ” taken from Revelation 22:12, which is also referenced in the poem as a reminder.

It is written with pronouns such as ‘I’, ‘me’, ‘we’ to make it personal to the reader. I reckon you substitute your name or your family’s wherever appropriate to personalize this poem for yourself and be edified.

An explanation of the poem in square brackets has been given below. There are some sections of the poem that may need further explanation, and if you need any clarifications or have comments, please do not hesitate to contact me. Your comments and thoughts are most welcome. God bless.

O Lord, it is the first of the year
[January 1, 2012]
And this, my earnest request, I pray thee hear
[Incline thy ear unto me; Psalm 102:2]
That with me, ‘I have Constant Communion
[My new year's request to Abide in Christ; John 15:5-8]
For fruitless will I be, without that union.’
[For without Christ, I can do nothing; John 15:5]

‘Behold, I come quickly’, came your word
[Revelation 22:12]
And in me, your Holy Spirit stirred
And on this impending Truth, I gird
[The return of the Lord to reign is not only impending but inevitable; 2 Peter 3:9]
So please show me each moment, my prayer you heard.

In my family that loves you, I see
[In Sangeetha, my wife (a favor from the Lord), I see God's love and forgiveness and my Son, Reuben, reminds me of God's unconditional presence, provision and protection as a father to me; Proverbs 18:22]
That your favor is life for life, and not momentary
[My promise card - Psalm 30:5]
And in all of the issues that life deals
We can hold fast, for with your stripes we are healed.
[Sangeetha's promise card - Isaiah 53:5]

‘No weapon formed against thee shall prosper’, you promise
[Reuben's promise card - Isaiah 54:17]
And on this, help me have the faith of the centurion, not Thomas.
[Prayer for a faith that marvels Christ and not be one who doubts his word; Hebrews 11:1, Luke 7:9, John 20:29]
And in the coming year, anticipating your return, our lively hope
[Reference back to Revelation 22:12 and the promise card that was picked for our son, who is to be born; 1 Peter 1:3]
Help me to lean on you at all times, when atop mountains, in valley depth or any slope.
[Trust in the Lord at all times and lean not on your own understanding; Proverbs 3:5]

Fixing my eyes on Jesus, let me march into battle
[Hebrews 12:2, Ephesians 6:10-18]
Bridle my tongue, lest I dishonor you by my prattle
[James 3:1-10]
In your presence, let my words be few
[Ecclesiastes 5:2]
So I may experience your faithfulness and mercy, each day anew.
[Great is his faithfulness and his mercies are new every morning; Lamentations 3:22-23]

O Lord, it is the first of the year
And this my earnest request, I pray thee hear
This one thing, I desire and seek
[Beholding God's beauty, until we see him face to face upon his return; Psalm 27:4]
To love you and be loved by you, I plead.
[To love God and to be loved by Him is what makes CONSTANT COMMUNION with him possible, for if we love him with all of our heart, all our of soul, all of our mind, all of our strength; we will obey him and keep his commandments and we will abide in him and be fruitful as he expects us to be; John 14:15, John 15:7-8]

I wonder why

Lord, with the rising of the sun, a new day does dawn
and as I reminisce of the days gone by, I wonder why
I, a mortal sinner am beloved by a God who is Love personified!

What You have in store for me,
I pray that I will see
and this is what I pray,
that in all things I trust and obey.
May my heart yearn after your own
and through me, your GOSPEL sown.

May I always seek to conform to your image
and not be held the world’s hostage.
To die to sin and self is my plea
and exercise my soul each day on my knees.
Each moment I pray, to me you speak
so that O King, of yours, a faithful servant, I’ll be.
To be pure and prepared I earnestly seek,
Looking unto Jesus who can make me complete.

Should you exalt me, Lord,
let yours be all the glory.
Should you humble me, Lord,
may my life be still a story
that brings honor to Your Name
whether it is pleasure or pain, famine or fame.

Should it be Lord, that by Your plan
my breath should fail and my life pass,
let those who succeed me, remember me
merely as a sinner redeemed by the Cross,
for my fruits and not my gifts,
for each soul that to Your Kingdom I lift,
not for the things I have done in this world,
but for those in the one to come.

Lord, with the rising of the sun, a new day does dawn
and as I reminisce of the days gone by, I wonder why
I, a mortal sinner am beloved by a God who is Love personified!

Not Mine, Not Mine, Not Mine …

LORD, a period  (year) has come and gone by
and as I reminisce, I ponder, Why
me, a mortal of the dust modified
even today, am as valuable as the apple of Your eye!

With the ebb and flow of life, I floated
and when events unveiled my way, with pride, I bloated
but when health and wealth not as I wanted unfolded, I viled
only to realize now, that in you, my providence was always control as you simply smiled

A broken and a contrite heart, You will not despise
and with that hope and promise, I now stand wise
never again to hurt Your heart, I pray
lest I run the race in vain and at the end be a castaway

Even when through the vale of death’s shadow and uncertainty, I tread
With You on my side, I have nothing to dread
Cause the panorama of my life, before my eye you spread
Let my life be like Yours, abundantly alive, not dead

Reach the Unreached, me an Ambassador’s task You gave
and oft in that edict, I waved
to show ‘tween the crosses (of repentance and rebellion), You on your Cross (of Redemption) bridged as ‘The Way’
and showcase You, the glorious light of ‘The Truth’, ‘The Life’, hidden in me, a jar of clay

Many a times, Lord, of Your expectations, I waned
and some mortals and You, You alone, O Lord, I pained
Yet every morning, like refreshing dew, Your mercies rained
and Faithfulness, GRACE and Salvation, I gained

Forgive me Lord, when at times, on the problems I gaze
and help me Lord, that from this moment on, it’s on Your promises, I daze
and let me not crawl, nor walk, but run the race
not by my might, nor by my power, but by Your Spirit, His pace

When the Lion roars, the beasts of the field stand still
Help me to know my place and Yours as Lord and be still
I beseech thee, O Lord, that You, me with thy Holy Spirit fill
and as the break of yet another period (year) dawns,
Not Mine (in thought), Not Mine (in word), Not Mine (in deed) Lord, be done, but Your will

LORD, a period (year) has come and gone by
and as I reminisce, I ponder, Why
me, a mortal of the dust modified
even today, am as valuable as the apple of Your eye!

From the Author’s/Poet’s Desk:
As we come to the end of another year looking forward to the next, this poem is  reflection of my family (Sangeetha, Reuben) and my life, in the past year and requisition of our hearts, that it not be Mine, not Mine, not Mine for the coming year. It is written with pronouns such as ‘I’, ‘me’ to make it personal to the reader. Words in parenthesis are not meant to be part of the poem, but for the readers understanding, it has been provided.  There are some sections of the poem that may need further explanation, and if you need any clarifications or have comments, please do not hesitate to contact me.