POEMS AND SCRIPTURES FOR TIMES OF TRIAL 

 DISAPPOINTMENT-HIS APPOINTMENT 
 
"Disappointment--His appointment," 
  Change one letter, then I see 
That the thwarting of my purpose 
  Is God's better choice for me. 
His appointment must be a blessing, 
  Though it may come in disguise, 
For the end from the beginning 
  Open to His wisdom lies. 
 
"Disappointment--His appointment," 
  Whose? The Lord, who loves me best, 
Understands and knows me fully, 
  Who my faith and love would test; 
For, like a loving earthly parent, 
  He rejoices when He knows 
That His child accepts, unquestioned, 
  All that from His wisdom flows. 
 
"Disappointment--His appointment," 
  "No good thing will He withhold," 
From denials oft we gather 
  Treasures of His love untold, 
Well He knows each broken purpose 
  Leads to fuller, deeper trust, 
And the end of all His dealings 
  Proves our god is wise and just. 
 
"Disappointment--His appointment," 
  Lord, I take it, then, as such. 
Like the clay in hands of potter, 
  Yielding wholly to Thy touch. 
All my life's plan is Thy moulding, 
  Not one single choice be mine; 
Let me answer, unrepining-- 
  "Father, Not my will, but Thine." 
-- Edith Lillian Young 

***

I WILL NOT DOUBT 
 
I will not doubt, though all my ships at sea 
Come drifting home with broken masts and sails; 
I will believe the Hand which never fails, 
For seeming evil worketh good for me. 
And though I weep because those sails are tattered, 
Still will I cry, while my best hopes lie shattered: 
"I trust in Thee." 
 
I will not doubt, though all my prayers return 
Unanswered from the still, white realm above; 
I will believe it is an all-wise love 
Which has refused these things for which I yearn; 
And though at times I cannot keep from grieving, 
Yet the pure ardor of my fixed believing 
Undimmed shall burn. 
 
I will not doubt, though sorrows fall like rain, 
And troubles swarm like bees about a hive; 
I will believe the heights for which I strive 
Are only reached by anguish and by pain; 
And though I groan and writhe beneath my crosses, 
I yet shall see through my severest losses 
The greater gain. 
 
I will not doubt, Well anchored is this faith, 
Like some staunch ship, my soul braves every gale; 
So strong its courage that it will not quail 
To breast the mighty unknown sea of death. 
O, may I cry, though body parts with spirit, 
"I do not doubt," so listening worlds may hear it, 
With my last breath. 
-- Ella Wheeler Wilcox 

***

DON'T QUIT 
 
When things go wrong as they sometimes will, 
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill, 
When funds are low and debts are high, 
And you want to smile but have to sigh, 
When care is pressing you down a bit-- 
Rest if you must, but don't quit. 
 
Life is queer with its twists and turns, 
As every one of us sometimes learns; 
And many a fellow turns about 
When he might have won, had he stuck it out. 
Don't give up though the pace seems slow 
You may succeed with another blow. 
 
Often the goal is nearer than 
It seems to a faint and faltering man; 
Often the struggler has given up 
When he might have captured the victor's cup; 
And he learned too late when the night came down, 
How close he was to the winning crown. 
 
Success is failure turned inside out 
the silver tint of the clouds of doubt 
You never can tell how close you are, 
If may be near, when it seems afar. 
So stock to the fight when you're hardest hit; 
It's when things seem worse that you musn't quit. 
Author Unknown 

 
"Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, and said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD" (Job 1:20-21). 
 
"What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips" (Job 2:10). 
 
"Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him" (Job 13:15). 
 
"But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold" (Job 23:10). 
 
"For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me..." (Job 23:14). 
 
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me" (Psalm 23:4). 
 
"I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread" (Psalm 37:25). 
 
"Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation" (Habakkuk 3:17-18). 
 
"And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us" (Romans 5:3-5). 
 
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28). 
 
"Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12). 
 
"Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing" (James 1:3-4). 
 
"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) 
 
"Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:6-7). 
 
"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy" (1 Peter 4:12-13). 

***

LOVE THIS MAN

No one falls in love by choice,    
it is by CHANCE.
No one stays in love by chance,    
it is by WORK.
And no one falls out of love by chance,    
it is by CHOICE.


Matthew 10:32 "Whoever acknowledges Me before men, I will acknowledge him before My Father in heaven. But whoever disowns Me before men, I will disown him before My Father in heaven.

***

The Inbox Angel

There's an angel in my inbox
And she came here from a friend
Who typed in my e-mail address
Then clicked on the button 'Send'

There's an angel in your inbox
And you got her straight from me;
I knew when I finished reading this,
It was something you should see.

This little angel in your inbox
Does contain a nice surprise;
For when you send her on to friends,
Her message multiplies.

She brings you a note of
Happiness, health and song;
And the nicest thing you can do
Today is to forward her along.

By simply sending her on
Can make you happy as can be;
She should be sent to everyone
Her message is for all to see.

Please send this little angel on,
And have a great day, too;
Just smile and be happy because
This angel was sent to you!

***

Holy Alphabet

Although things are not perfect
Because of trial or pain
Continue in thanksgiving
Do not begin to blame
Even when the times are hard
Fierce winds are bound to blow
God is forever able
Hold on to what you know
Imagine life without His love
Joy would cease to be
Keep thanking Him for all the things
Love imparts to thee
Move out of "Camp Complaining"
No weapon that is known
On earth can yield the power
Praise can do alone
Quit looking at the future
Redeem the time at hand
Start every day with worship
To "thank" is a command
Until we see Him coming
Victorious in the sky
We'll run the race with gratitude
X alting God most high
Y es, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but...
Z ion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!

***

Please Jesus, I begged

I had on new clothes,
New sneakers on my feet.
I was there for class on time,
Went to the back and took my seat.

Yeah, I'm moving up,
I'm already grown.
Soon I'll be graduating,
And out on my own..

I talked to some of my friends,
We were all having fun.
Said some things I shouldn't have said. Did stuff I shouldn't have done.

I knew I was different..
I felt God touch my heart,
I knew I should set a standard,
But then I'd be set apart.

Walking to the bus, I was not looking for strength.
I heard the car tires screeching,
But now it's too late.

I'm standing in this room,
And I can see the heavenly gate..
Oh no! I never prayed.
I thought I had time to get it straight!

An angel walked to me,
He had a book in his hand.
I knew it was the Book of Life, When would this dream end?

I told him my name,
And he began to look.
Then he looked at me sadly and said,
Your name is not in this book.

Angel, this is a dream,
No, I can't be dead!
He closed the book and turned away,
He whispered - You cannot
proceed ahead.

No...no this can't be real,
Angel, you can't turn me away.
Let me talk to God,
Maybe he'll let me stay.

He led me to the gate,
Jesus came to me.
He did not let me in but said,
Beloved what is your need?

Jesus, I cried, please,
Don't cast me away from you.
Tears ran down his face as he said,
You knew what you needed to do.

Lord, please I'm young,
I never thought I would die..
I thought I'd have plenty of time,
Death caught me by surprise.

Lord, I went to church,
Please Jesus, I believe.
He said you would not accept me,
My love you would not receive.
Lord, there were too many
hypocrites. They weren't being true.

He took a step back and asked,
What does that have to do with you?

Lord, my family claimed to be
saved, They weren't real. You know.

He said, I died for you,
Now I have to go.

I fell to my knees crying to Him,
Lord, I planned to be real tomorrow.

I couldn't make Him understand,
I had never felt such sorrow.

Then it hit me hard, I said,
Lord, where will I go?

He looked into my eyes
and said, My child you already
know.

Please Jesus, I begged,
The place is so hot.
It seemed to trouble and grieve him,
He whispered, DEPART FROM ME,
I KNOW YOU NOT.

Lord, you're supposed to be love,
How can you send me to
damnation?

He replied, With your mouth you said you loved me, But each day you rejected my salvation.

With that in an instant,
Day turned into night.

I never knew such torture could be, Now too late, I know the Bible is right.

If I can tell you anything,
Hell has no age.

It is a place of torture,
Separated from God and full of rage.

You know, I thought it was funny,a joke, But this one thing is true.

If you never accept Jesus Christ,
HELL IS WAITING FOR YOU!
So please, ask Him into your heart.

Please show this to everyone you care about..

((which should be everybody))

***

HE IS THE GREAT I AM!

He is the First and Last, the Beginning and the End!
He is the keeper of Creation and the Creator of all!
He is the Architect of the universe and the Manager of all times.
He always was, He always is, and He always will be...
Unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated, and never Undone!

He was bruised and brought healing!
He was pierced and eased pain!
He was persecuted and brought freedom!
He was dead and brought life!
He is risen and brings power!
He reigns and brings Peace!

The world can't understand him,
The armies can't defeat Him,
The schools can't explain Him,
and The leaders can't ignore Him.

Herod couldn't kill Him,
The Pharisees couldn't confuse Him,
and The people couldn't hold Him!

Nero couldn't crush Him,
Hitler couldn't silence Him,
The New Age can't replace Him,
and Donahue can't explain Him away!

He is light, love, longevity, and Lord.
He is goodness, Kindness, Gentleness, and God.

He is Holy, Righteous, mighty, powerful, and pure.
His ways are right, His word is eternal,
His will is unchanging, and His mind is on me.

He is my Redeemer, He is my Savior,
He is my guide, and He is my peace!
He is my Joy, He is my comfort,
He is my Lord, and He rules my life!

I serve Him because His bond is love,
His burden is light, and His goal for me is abundant life.
I follow Him because He is the wisdom of the wise,
the power of the powerful, the ancient of days,
the ruler of rulers, the leader of leaders,
the overseer of the overcomers, and the sovereign Lord
of all that was and is and is to come.

And if that seems impressive to you, try this for size.
His goal is a relationship with ME!
He will never leave me, never forsake me,
Never mislead me, never forget me, never overlook me,
and never cancel my appointment in His appointment book!

When I fall, He lifts me up!
When I fail, He forgives!
When I am weak, He is strong!
When I am lost, He is the way!
When I am afraid, He is my courage!
When I stumble, He steadies me!
When I am hurt, He heals me!
When I am broken, He mends me!
When I am blind, He leads me!
When I am hungry, He feeds me!
When I face trials, He is with me!
When I face persecution, He shields me!
When I face problems, He comforts me!
When I face loss, He provides for me!
When I face Death, He carries me Home!

He is everything for everybody, everywhere,
every time, and every way.

He is God,
He is faithful.
I am His, and He is mine!

My Father in heaven can whip the father
of this world. So, if you're wondering why I
feel so secure, understand this...

He said it and that settles it.
God is in control,
I am on His side, and that means all is well with my soul.

Everyday is a blessing for GOD Is!

-- Author Unknown

***

DIRECTIONS TO MY FATHER'S HOUSE

Make a Right onto "Believer's Blvd." Keep straight and go through the Green Light, which is Jesus Christ

From there, you must turn onto the "Bridge of Faith," which is over troubled water.
When you get off the bridge, make a Right turn and Keep Straight. You are on the "King's Highway," Heaven-bound.

Keep going for three miles: One for the Father, One
for the Son, and One for the Holy Spirit.

Then exit off onto "Grace Blvd."

From there, make a Right turn on "Gospel Lane. "

Keep Straight and then make another Right on "Prayer Road."

As you go on your way, Yield Not to the traffic on "Temptation Ave."
Also, avoid SIN STREET because it is a DEAD END.
Pass up "Envy Drive" and "Hate Avenue." 
Also, pass "Hypocrisy Street," "Gossiping Lane," and
"Backbiting Blvd."

However, you have to go down "Long-suffering Lane,"
"Persecution Blvd.,"and "Trials and Tribulations Ave."

But that's all right, because VICTORY Street is
straight ahead!

AMEN!!!!!