Thank You, Father

Father,
     When I think of all the things You have brought me through in my life my heart is overwhelmed. Fountains of praise and thanksgiving bubble up in my heart because You have delivered me.
When I am in seasons of adversity I think of the sacrificial life and death of Your Son. My troubles may be cruel and harsh but they cannot be compared to the agony He suffered. I think on Your love and care for me for these thoughts bring comfort to my soul. They help me to endure life on earth until I stand before Your throne.
     Like David I ask, "What can I give to You for all Your goodness to me?" I do not have anything You need for all I have comes from Your hand. I give You my heart; I give it willingly, gladly. My life is of little value to anyone but You. Your Scriptures tell me I am to have the "mind of Christ". He is my strength, my life, my goal. Most joyfully I surrender my life to the Lordship of Christ. In doing this may You Father, be glorified with His Life in me to accomplish Your will for my life.
     Thank You for bringing me through the Red Seas of my life; for revealing Yourself to me in Your Son.
                In Jesus' Name

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.myclvaryslove.com

Praise to You

"Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform (will finish) it until the day of Jesus Christ."  Philippians 1:6

Praise to You Most Holy One
for You will finish all You have begun.
Praise to You who dwells beyond the skies;
Most Treasured One, please open my eyes.
Let me know You in all Your beauty.
Help me to see Your Spirit in me.
I hold so dear the lessons given in Your Book.
Let me find You as I pray, I search, I look.
God of infinite wonder and blessing to me;
test my heart, please look carefully
For any sin which would separate me from You.
Then do, O Great Refiner, what You must do.
Remove all I cling to selfishly;
Cleanse my heart, set my spirit free.
For You have promised, O Holy One
I am the work You have begun.
And when life's journey has come to an end,
while angels near, as You command them;
Let  all of heaven sing and testify
You have been the only vision before my eyes.

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel

I Love You As...

"As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you: continue ye in My love." John 15:9

Jesus,
How can I tell You how much
You mean to me?
What can I say?
I know!
I'll write a poem of Your creation
And put me in it this way:
I love You as the day that dawns
to kiss the night away.
I praise You as the trees do
when they lift their leaves and sway.
I need You as the earth needs rain
to make all green things grow.
I want You more than anyone but You,
could ever possibly know.
This hymn of praise is for You, Jesus;
from me it's just a part.
While You listen from Your throne in heaven,
May it find its way into Your heart. 

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel

Come What May

"So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid." Hebrews 13:6

When trials surround you and all hope seems but lost
Dig your heels deep and cling to the Cross.
People will strive to tear you away.
Still, let your cry be, "I'll cling come what may!"
While Satan taunts constantly, bravely you fight;
You see Christ's victory in spiritual sight.
When others fail to see the truth in what you know,
The hours of life are hard and slow;
Believe in your heart Christ will show you the way
For a crown of gold to replace the splinters of today.

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel

I Will Help You

"For I am the LORD, your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you."  Isaiah 41:13

Oh Lord, You are my Helper
There is no one but Thee;
For when my soul is troubled
You come to comfort me.
You are the Great Provider
I have nothing to fear.
When many trials surround me
Your tender voice I hear:
"I will care and comfort you
believe and do not frown.
Those who completely trust Me
will someday wear a crown.
You must have strength to believe
it is your call to do.
In sorrow's darkest night
I'll always care for you."

Author: Joyce Andrews Bickel

Jesus Is Waiting

"And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patience of Christ."
2 Thessalonians 3:5

Somewhere beyond the clouds
in a place I cannot see
I know Jesus is waiting
He is waiting patiently.
The time is known only to the Father,
when the Son will step out.
A trumpet blast will precede Him;
the Lord Himself , will shout:
"Gather my saints, those who
made a covenant with Me."
We will be joined to our Lord,
there forever to be.
Yes, Jesus is waiting.
He is waiting patiently.

Author: Joyce Andrews Bickel

God Provides

"For your Father knows what you need before you ask Him." Matthew 6:8

I enjoy watching the sun come up
as it colors the seagulls red.
I watch in wonder as they fly
high in the sky overhead.
The Lord, Himself, paints the gulls
in morning colors fair.
Creatures of His own hands
He is pleased to place them there.
We learn a lesson from God's birds; 
not difficult to understand.
Whatever we need to get through life
comes from our Father's hands.
God is faithful to every need
even before we ask;
He commands His angels,
to fulfill every needed task.
God paints our lives with mercy.
He loads our days with grace, 
that our souls may fly towards heaven
and look in the Savior's face.
We need to see God's care and purpose
in His creation, His simple things.
Then, we may learn God's secret
of giving the heart it's wings.

Author: Joyce Andrews Bickel