Author: Marie Fitts

By: Marie H. Fitts

Words inspire
Words hate
Words can bless or retaliate

Words may not intend to cause alarm
Words carelessly used
Words cause harm

Words cut deep; sharper than a knife
Words encourage
Words have life

Words spoken in “gest”
Words interact
Words send messages of fallacy or fact

Words said in “confidence”
Words keep quiet
Words evoke emotions that trigger riots

Words slander
Words defame
Words falsely used…words claim

Words slur…intoxicated
Words discredit
With misrepresentation

Words harass
Words ridicule
Words uttered in outrage..mock a fool

Words scorn with disrespect
Words vilify
Words object

Words make laughable, uneasy situations
Words get lost
When fabricated

Words invoke God in times of trouble
Words bring together
Words unbuckle

Words mumbled under breath
Words indistinct
Words hard to digest

Words thoughtfully sought…bring a desired end
Words spoken with kindness
Words defend

Words can heal
Words promote
Words contribute to progress and growth

Words take heed; giving thoughtful attention
Words show interest…or
Sharp dissension

Words express love in different ways
When neither good nor bad
Indifference displays

Words make us laugh
Words cause us to weep
Words spoken in haste…will steal our sleep

Words conquer
Words invade; taking possession
Words persuade

Words divide
Words congregate…from the pulpit
Words offer God’s grace

Words win approval and support
Words navigate
Words too…steer off course

Words unspoken have a longing to speak
Cleverly amusing words…Tongue-in-cheek

Words carry weight…sum a thousand tons
Words are light…When the burden is undone

I could keep writing words…to convey
Words aren’t what they seem
Words too, can betray

But

Words tempered with grace
Expressive elegance and beauty
Are not just polite…they are absolutely

Words to hold near and dear to your heart
Words of praise
Words to impart

Because

Words leave impressions
Like footprints on clay
Words cause depression…so watch what you say

You are the author
Spewing venom or making nice
It’s in the power of the tongue…so take this advice

Hold fast to your words
Choose wisely what you say…when presented to the world
Words are forever on display

The Lord Jesus has given each of us
A “measure of faith”
With which to seek His Love
And receive His grace

Even if it’s no larger than a mustard seed
This measure of faith will grow
If the caretaker of the garden
Earnestly wants to know

The Creator of the Heavens and Earth
Ruler over the moon and stars
The King of Kings, The Lord of Lords
Your faith will ignite, transcending you afar

Into the heavenly realm with The Lord
He returns blessing to all those who use
Their measure of faith to show others His grace
And to pass along the Good News

Of The Gospel…according to Christ

That He is The Way to eternal life
A place beyond death and the grave
Where those who believe and trust in Jesus name
Are rewarded for their measure of faith

Jesus trampled over sin and death on the Cross
Where He took our place
Carrying the sin debt of the world
So that we would not have to face

Eternal punishment, the second death
A place of filth and stench, of fire and pain,
A place devoid of mercy
A place with no water…no rain

The Bible speaks of death
As separation from God
Not cessation from existence
Yet, some believe that school of thought

And there are those who claim to be atheists
They don’t believe in our Creator, The Lord God
And shouldn’t be surprised when they die
Their measure of faith propelled them right where they are

No, death is not the end for the Believer
And, it is not the end for the Un-saved
Eternity is an infinite circle that depends
On how you use your measure of faith

Do you ever wonder why things happen the way they do? Since this life is ordained by God, what was His purpose for this particular thing happening to you? Do you ponder if there is a lesson to be learned; or do you deal with each circumstance without too much concern (regarding the bigger picture) within the story of your life? Does your heart and mind struggle in a twisted writhe?

I tend to be curious as to the “why” things turn out like they do; pondering what The Lord was teaching, as I was walking through the experience, the circumstance, the specific situation. In angst, dismay and nervousness with forbidding trepidation.

I ponder and wonder and contemplate the “ifs” the “whys”  “for whats”. Mulling it over and again in my mind, until it almost drives me nuts! Because if our fight is not against flesh and blood but against the darkness of Satan’s spiritual regime; it stands to reason Satan’s minions tripped me up and I just didn’t see ’em!

Or…

Perhaps it is a test from The Living God, to see how I will react? Will I call on His name in my hour of need… or curse Him…which holds an eternal impact!

I recently found myself in a bit of a situation, which resulted in me being flat on my back. I cried out to The Lord, “O God, O God” with praise and prayers I would NOT have to retract! And yes He heard my cries and answered my prayer, as I laid there in the mud and the rain; sending “Angels” to attend to my need… three I knew, one I didn’t catch her name.

But she took my hand and prayed over me. She could tell I was in great pain. Asking for healing, she lifted me up…praying for me in Jesus’ name. It was at that moment when she finished her prayer, the nurse called my name and her touch was withdrawn. I turned back around to thank her, but in that instant…she was gone!

In past times my thoughts have turned Heavenward, pondering, what The Savior might be trying to teach but it wasn’t until I was flat on my back did I allow His voice to reach…

My unwillingness to listen, my disobedience to His Word, because my half-hearted seeking had left my vision blurred…to living a life only for God! And since Christ suffered in His body we arm ourselves with the same attitude. Because he who has suffered in his body is finished with sin. He is through! So we must NOT be surprised at the painful trials we suffer, as something strange were happening to us. But know that we take part in the sufferings of Christ, so that we may be overjoyed and rejoice.  (1 Peter 4:1-11 (NIV))

The Bible says, if you suffer because of the name of Christ you are blessed. For the spirit of glory and of God on you, rests. If you suffer ii should not be as a murderer or thief. If you suffer as a Christian do not be ashamed, no longer weep. But praise God that you bear the name of Christ, resting assuredly your name is found in The Lamb’s Book of Life. Yes, those who suffer according to God’s will should…commit themselves to their spiritual creator and continue to do good.

Heaven called her by name
Illuminating the earth’s atmosphere
Sparkling and twinkling during the early light years
Lighting the ebony night sky in ultraviolet blue
She was one of a multitude of celestial beings
Yet... this one
This one was no ordinary being
She personified the sky 
Filling all space and time for those who loved her
Her heavenly body motionless at times
Other times she swayed
In the amber glow of her starry host
But mostly...she soared
Up
  Up
     Up
       Higher
             Higher 
                    Higher still

Dancing along the edge of the cosmos
Flirting along the firey prism of life
Cozy sapphire wavelengths... warmed her heart 
Blue-green and emerald hues ignited her spirit  
Yellow and orange flames
Exploded into passion
There were times she simmered 
In ruby red flames of envy
Red hot fire raged with anger on occasion too
Infrared flames 
Eventually scorched
Leaving marks and scars 
On her heart
Her days are ebbing now
The light years wane
Softly against the ebony night sky
A warm amber glow returns
Ever so slowly
She 
   falls
      Softly
        Floating among the clouds  
Her sparkling light 
                     fading now
     ~T~w~i~n~k~l~i~n~g~
Once 
Then again
Heaven called her by name

Oh for days and days to write
Until my heart’s content
Thought-provoking words from ink to page
Is my sole intent

To share with you…my thoughts, my faith
That your world might grow stronger with every reading
And to steer clear of the mistakes I’ve made
From the bottom of my heart I am pleading

For you to take these simple words of mine
Spend time with them in contemplation
Of your character, your conduct
And the words you speak

Especially in idle conversation

Are you stating facts
Or are you just being polite
With words that are humble
Penitent and contrite

Because the reader and listener
Will see holes in every page
If your words are not authentic
They will soon disengage

From the Message

The one God called you to tell
Through the story of your life
A story, You know
Good and well

Can help someone else
Currently walking in those shoes
To make a different choice
Your words could help them choose

Life…

It’s not ours to take away, it’s not ours to give
But to transfer possession of The Holy Spirit within
Repent, open your heart, breathe it in…and live
Then Exhale…transferring possession all over again

If we know God’s Truth
We must speak it boldly
Silence is cowardly
Apathy destroys slowly

Irreparable damage results
When we choose to ignore
The “little things” unaligned with God’s Word
Soon manifest and we will eventually abhor

Finding repugnant the state of affairs
In which we now live
All because we didn’t speak up
Satan now penetrates and gives

Fuel to the flaming arrows
His minions impale against our hearts
Snuffing out the truth and desire
God intended for His Believer’s to impart

With every brother, every sister
Every Father, Mother and friend
To live in harmony and peace
And with demons… not have to contend

But our apathy, lack of interest
Absence of obedience to God’s Word
Finds us in these reprehensible state of affairs
Which is now utterly absurd

Deviation from God’s Word
Might not have been the original intent
But careless thoughts and actions led to
The uprising of those against

All that is good and pure from God’s Word
His Ten Commands to keep order and peace
Our careless lack of interest allowed
Satan’s foothold to increase

Among the un-churched, among the un-learned
Among those that don’t know about God
But as Christians we are to testify so that
No one is fooled by defraud

It is our calling to speak God’s Truth’s
Until every ear has heard
The Gospel of Jesus Christ
Submitting their heart to His Authority and Word

Yes, as children of God
We must speak The Truth boldly
Silence is cowardly and
Apathy destroys slowly

You know my heart Lord
You know what causes me pain
You lead me in the struggle, Lord
I hear you calling my name

You lead me in paths of righteousness
Though I seldom see
The culmination of Your mighty work
Peering into “my reflection of me”

Too busy focusing on what I think are flaws… my eyes see imperfection inside and out
No, You didn’t create imperfection, Lord
So what’s my negative focus all about?

It’s about Satan, the evil one
He is a “stalker of the mind”
Not asking the Holy Spirit to control
My thoughts, allows Satan to attack from behind!

He is relentless, he never sleeps
He gains breath only when I give him life
So I must guard my heart and release Control to The Holy Spirit…

Over my mind

I give my thoughts to You, Holy Spirit
I relinquish control over my mind
Show me The Glory that’s waiting when I Release condemning thoughts one at a time

Over to You…

To replace the negative focus from Satan’s relentless torment
Remind me the call on my life, Lord
Poeming The Promises…

With spiritual encouragement

Remind others too that read these words
Not to conform to the pattern of this world, but to be transformed by the Renewing of their mind, where

Satan’s control will forever be unfurled

Teaching life lessons through verse and rhyme, I have been called by You Lord
to pursue. It’s the dream that’s taken hold of my heart…

A dream I believe came from You

You’ve blessed me with the talent
To share life lessons through verse and Rhyme. A blessing I’m called
To share with Others

In groups…or one at a time

So I pray these words for every reader, Lord, Will not fall on dead, deaf ears And that for specific ones who need them most, to take the time to listen

And hear…Your voice

Through these simple words that rhyme
Speaking faith directly into their hearts
Poeming The Promises of Your Word
Allowing me to impart

My faith, my love, my allegiance Lord
To You and You alone
Poeming The Promises of Your Word
Until You call me home

If Satan can make you jealous by using comparison to friend or foe, he will feed your mind negative parallels until you believe it’s so. Satan has an array of weapons that he uses to try to defeat, all those who believe in Jesus, with deadly firearms like envy and deceit.

Feelings of spite and resentment at seeing the success of another, Satan knows, if allowed to manifest in the mind, the heart too will soon be smothered. The most deadly weapon in Satan’s hand, is one that doesn’t appear to be harmful. But it is marked by the skill to achieve his desired end, with deadly tactics that are cunning and artful.

The feelings of despair in the face of obstacles, Satan exaggerates with dismay. And he’s been up to these cowardly, discouraging, tricks on the mind, from The Garden of Eden…right up to today. We must ask ourselves, will our distress drive us to relent to this discouragement and despair; or like King David, will we find strength in the Lord, seeking Him on our knees in prayer?

Asking for His Holy Spirit to guard our hearts and minds, provides an infantry of soldiers; marching before us and surrounding all sides. We can stand firm with the Belt of Truth, buckled firmly around our waist and our feet fitted with Readiness and the Breastplate of Righteousness in place. We can extinguish all the flaming arrows of evil, as we take up the Shield of Faith, with God’s Word, The Sword of The Spirit, and with the Helmet of Righteousness in place.

We must put on the full Armor of God to stand up against Satan’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the spiritual darkness of Satan’s worldly regime. God’s word tells us to pray in the Holy Spirit, on all occasions, with all kinds of prayers and requests. We must pray for all The Lord’s people to keep this in mind because His Word has ordained what is best.

For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile, and all have sinned and fall short of The Glory of God. All are justified freely by His Grace, through the redemption Jesus offered with His Blood.
Though Satan will continue to stalk you with relentless discouragement, you will find if you call on The Holy Spirit, He will guard your heart and your mind.

You can live in victory for all of your days. Your strength will not deplete. Standing with Christ on the wings of His eagles, you will be an eye witness to Satan’s defeat!

Today’s post was inspired by a recent sermon message from Dr. Charles Stanley, In Touch Ministries, <InTouch.org>  entitled: “A Warning Against Drifting”.

~~~Quietly~~~~~
~~Slowly~~~~~
~~~~Unintentionally~~~
~~~Effortlessly~~~
~~~~Drifting~~~~~
Dulls our sensitivity
Ruins relationships
Is undisciplined
From God leads to destruction
Tangles your life line
Is mindless
Never gets you to your destination
Goes only

Downstream~~~developing a hardening toward God

Only God’s people can stop it by putting their anchor down

Wrecks our physical body and relationships

Neglects God’s guidance

Summarizes God’s word in Hebrews Chapter 2

Things begin to change

Results in regret

Effects every facet of our lives dangerously

Away from God

Many succumb to its currents of immorality, financial debt, political confusion, apathy and liberal ideology

Hebrews 2:1-4 (NIV)

“We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we’ve heard, so that we do not drift away. For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will.”