The Old Rusty Door

"I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in..."Revelation 3:20

The old rusty door led to the garden.
It hadn't  been opened for years.
No one would dare to go within,
For it struck their hearts with fear.

One day Someone knocked on the old door;
'Til it opened, it finally let go.
He knew the garden would need much care;
For His heart had told Him so.

He saw the soil, hard and rocky
There could no seed be sown.
Vines were withered and tangled;
No fruit bearing trees could be grown.

He tenderly worked the dry land first.
Then, He cleared the old withered vines.
Gently, He gave it living water;
Life was assured in His given time.

At last He saw as He well knew;
A place He would fondly call home.
The fruit trees had finally blossomed.
This haven was now His own

The garden grew to a whole new life
In a glory it never knew before,
For Jesus had taken the time to stop
And knock on the old rusty door.

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel

The Broken Heart

"In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice; my cry came before Him into His ears."  Psalm 18:6

I took my broken heart to the doctor.
He sadly said, "It will never mend."
I brought myself to the edge of the shore,
Hoping my life would quickly end.
As I walked in the water, facing the waves,
I heard a voice cry, "Jesus  saves! Jesus saves!
"Oh God!" I cried, as I fell to my knees.
"I need you so badly, Lord, help me please!"
I gave Him my heart and all my life, too.
He returned them to me, all shiny and new.
Now as I walk along the seashore;
Life has more meaning than ever before.
For on my own merit I no longer depend;
I lean on my Jesus, my Savior, my Friend.

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel

My Refuge

"I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Psalm 91:2

Thank You, Jesus for providing the way
Where God is my refuge both night and day.
In troubled times, yes, sad times too,
I delight in Your ways; in all You do.
Daily I endure the unseen fight.
My faith is in You, Lord;
In Your strength, in Your might.
The enemy may seek me, to try and slay
But God is my refuge, both night and day.
I will not fear, You are my strong tower.
Though the enemy curses, I will not cower.
I will not retreat. Yes! I will stand and fight.
God is my refuge day and night.
When I cannot see the malicious foe
Your Word brings me warning, I will know
victory will come in Your own way;
For You are my refuge both night and day.

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel

Everlasting God

"For great is Your love, reaching to the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the skies."
Psalm 57:10

The Lord is everlasting
as I endure the anvil
and the flame.
He strengthens
my fainting heart, as
I whisper His mighty name.
He comforts me in all
my deep-felt sorrows;
granting me visions of mercy
for all my tomorrows.
He is faithful,to me
in life's sunshine
and stormy rains.
His presence gives peace
in my days of darkness;
in my depths of pain.

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel