September 26, 2015

To Live Is Christ




 To Live Is Christ
By George Thurlow
 
Copyright December 12, 1995
 
 I have no desire for riches;
I have no need for fame.
My only goal is to live for you,
And to glorify your name.
 
I don't have much to offer
By the standards of this earth,
For I am citizen of heaven
By virtue of new birth.
 
To be like Christ is ridiculed;
The world thinks He is weak.
"Me" and "Mine" is in today;
Humility isn't chic.
 
But as for me to live is Christ
And to die is gain.
Though it may cost hardship
Struggle, toil, and pain.
 
The worldly only have right now
Then all will soon be gone.
They freely deal their souls away
For what they think is fun.
 
But as for me, my Lord I'll serve
Without one hesitation.
My name is in the Book of Life
I have made my reservation.
 
 

Philippians 1:21
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

 

 


Faith Lighthouse



 Faith Lighthouse
By George Thurlow
 
Copyright December 2, 1995
 
Lord I'll meet you at the altar
For early morning prayer.
In the stillness of this empty church
I love to meet you there.
 
Faith Lighthouse is my haven;
It's a rest from the race.
It's here in the solitude
I meet you face to face.
 
It's a little bit of heaven
Where we can be alone,
Away from all distractions
It's here I feel at home.
 
And I thank you for this Lighthouse
In the sea of strife.
It's here that I seek refuge
From all the toils of life.
 
Here you renew my strength
To face another day.
It's here you take my burdens
And roll the clouds away.
 
Sometimes I sit and listen
For your still small voice.
Sometimes I sing praises
And make a joyful noise.
 
It's in this blessed quietness
You lift me high above;
My troubles are forgotten
In your warmth and love.
 
Oh everyday I'll meet you here
So we can be alone.
Faith Lighthouse is my haven
Until you call me home.



My favorite place to get alone with God in prayer and fellowship is my church, Faith Lighthouse Assembly of God in Old Orchard Beach, Maine. It is also where the Holy Spirit has given me many poems to write over the years. This particular poem is actually a song about my secret place or prayer closet if you will.
 





"Cross" Examination



"Cross" Examination
By George Thurlow
 
Cpoyright April 26, 1998
 
If I was arrested for Jesus' sake,
If I was put on trial,
Would there be convincing evidence
To make it worth the while?
 
After thorough investigation
Of the details of my life,
Would those findings indicate
That I had been with Christ?
 
Would the tracks I left behind me
Become a trail of clues?
 Guilty by association,
As a disciple stand accused?
 
Would displayed before the courtroom
As exhibit number one,
Be a line of converts
This defendant for Christ had won?
 
Would all my deeds and actions
Make it plain to see,
Beyond the shadow of a doubt
A Christian I must be?

Acts 4:13
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

September 21, 2015

Your Faith Will Make You Whole



Your Faith Will Make You Whole
By George Thurlow
 Copyright September 21, 2015
 
According to your faith
Be it unto you.*
You can trust God's promises
They're absolutely true.
 
Reach out and touch His garment;
Connect with Him in faith.
See circumstances changing
And answers taking place.
 
Take a hold of Jesus.
Speak the Word and just believe.
Put your faith in action
In order to receive.
 
Oh the power of the spoken Word
When you speak the Word and say,
Has the power to cause a mountain
To get up and walk away.


Matthew 9:20-22

20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:
21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.
22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

 
*Matthew 9:27-29
27 And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us.
28 And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.
29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.
 
 

Mark 11:23-24
23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
 


September 19, 2015

The Sea Of God's Forgetfulness

 
The Sea Of God's Forgetfulness
By George Thurlow
 
Copyright May 11, 1998
 
Oh accuser of the brethren
You have no fishing rights,
In the sea of God's forgetfulness,
 Through Christ's Blood I am made right.
 
Don't drag up from the bottom
Those sins that have been tossed.
For I have been forgiven
My Savior paid the cost.
 
My sins are long forgotten.
I no longer stand condemned.
It's in vain that you accuse me
For my Father says "What sin?".
 
You may search the whole wide ocean,
But you will never find
Any sin that you can salvage
Or to the Father bring to mind.
 
Micah 7:19
"He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities;
and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea".
 
This poem was inspired after hearing Pastor Merle L. Mitchell say 'The devil has no right to go fishing in the sea of God's forgetfulness." Sermon delivered 5/10/98 in the evening service at Faith Lighthouse Assembly of God Old Orchard Beach, Maine.
 
 


Cast Not Away Your Confidence



Cast Not Away Your Confidence
By George Thurlow
 
Copyright February 13, 2000
 
Do not feel discouraged;
In trials start feeling glum.
Remember what God has promised,
There are better things to come.
 
Even though in conflict
While the battle rages on,
God grants strength and courage
To keep on keeping on.
 
We are overcomers
Through the Blood of Christ.
 By our word of testimony
There's victory o'er the strife.
 
Cast not away your confidence.
Keep on trusting God.
For there is great recompence
And heavenly reward.
 
 
Hebrews 10:35
"Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward".
 
Revelation 12:11
"And they overcame him by the Blood of the Lamb, and the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death".

Security Of The Fold



Security Of The Fold
By George Thurlow
 
Copyright October 13, 1997
 
Oh kind and gentle Shepherd
I'll walk with You today.
You be the one to choose the path,
Guide and direct my way.
 
I trust You with all my being.
I don't know what today will bring,
But I'm satisfied in knowing
You'll see me through everything.
 
In You there's complete assurance,
That for me You know what's best.
I cast off all fears and worries;
In Your care I feel at rest.
 
I will not stray or wander.
I'll feed on Your Holy hill,
And drink from Your cool clear water
Where I am completely filled.
 
This sheep will heed his Master's voice
And do as he is told,
To dwell in Your peaceful pastures
In the security of the fold.

September 14, 2015

Make Sure



Make Sure
By George Thurlow
Copyright September 14, 2015
 
 
Are you fully persuaded,
Are you truly sure,
If you were to die today
Your soul would be secure?
 
Are you actually certain,
Beyond a shadow of a doubt,
Of the place where you are going
When your time has run all out?
 
Have your sins all been forgiven?
Have you Jesus in your heart?
Have you surrendered your life to Him
Or are you walking in the dark?
 
Things of earth are just temporal;
Life can change in but a day.
Is your foundation on a bed of sand
Unstable in all its ways?
 
Are you certain of your destiny?
Once dead your fate is sealed.
Now is the time to make sure
Eternity is all so real.
 
Only Jesus is the passage way
For He is Heaven's Door.
They who believe and trust in Him
Have salvation evermore.
 
Our bodies are only mortal,
The soul and spirit never die.
Do you desire Heaven?
Right now you must decide.
 
There is a hell awaiting
That has no exit door,
And by default you choose it
If Jesus you ignore.
 
 
This poem was inspired this morning of the Holy Ghost through a powerfully anointed sermon delivered by Rev. Merle L. Mitchell entitled "Are You Sure?" given at Faith Lighthouse Assembly of God Old Orchard Beach, ME on 9/13/2015 in the morning service.






September 13, 2015

Seeing Him Who Is Invisible



Seeing Him Who Is Invisible
By George Thurlow
Copyright September 11, 2015 

In these days of peril
How's a Christian to endure?
By seeing Him Who is invisible
Through Christ our hope's secured.
 
No evil report shall move thee
When stayed on Jesus Christ.
He will keep one's heart in perfect peace
In the midst of worldly strife.
 
Look upon those things invisible
Not seen with the naked eye.
Set your affection on those things above
Looking homeward towards the sky.
 
All earthly things shall pass away,
Keep focused on the prize.
Our light affliction is but a moment
In view of eternal life.

Hebrews 11:26-27
26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.


 
 
 


September 7, 2015

Roots of Bitterness

 
 

Roots of Bitterness
By George Thurlow
 
There is a danger lurking
Destructive to the soul,
An evil stealthy weapon
Designed to take control.
 
The spirit of unforgiveness
Forming bitter roots,
That bringeth forth corruption
Producing poisoned fruit.
 
Stemming from resentment,
Or an insult long ago...
Unfairness or injustice
One never could let go.
 
Hiding 'neath the surface,
Oblivious to the mind,
Such bitterness and anger
Has kept one's life confined.
 
Manifested now in subtle ways:
 Sickness, chronic pain,
Depression, fear, anxiety
A captive, bound in chains.
 
But through the Blood of Jesus
Those fetters can be snapped;
By surrendering  all the bitterness
You'll escape from satan's trap.
 
By forgiving the offender
Laying the anger at the Cross
Christ will heal your wounded heart
And purge you of the dross.
 
 
Hebrews 12:15
"Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled".
 
 
 
 
 


Take Heed To Watch And Pray





Take Heed To Watch And Pray
By George Thurlow
 
Would you be found sleeping
Should the Master come today?
For no one knows the hour,
Take heed to watch and pray.
 
Would you be found worthy
To escape the coming wrath?
Or left behind to suffer
 The coming aftermath?
 
Has your heart become divided?
Have you compromised your stand?
Are you focused heavenward
For the coming Son of Man?
 
Would you be found faithful
Should the Lord return today:
Taking careful diligence
As from the path not sway?
 
Christians stay allegiant
And to the Lord obey.
Listen to the Master warn
Take heed to watch and pray.
 
This poem was given to me this morning at Goosefare Brook by the Holy Spirit  as I reflected on the sermons yesterday in both the morning and evening services preached by Rev. Merle L. Mitchell at Faith Lighthouse Assembly of God in Old Orchard Beach, Maine.
Messages entitled "Distractions" and "Focused" based on Mark 13:32-37 and Matthew 24: 42-57.