Christmas Wrapped In Prophecy

 

 

                                 Christmas Wrapped In Prophecy

By George Thurlow Copyright  December 2006 Such strange gifts to offer, Frankincense, myrrh and gold; Yet speaking of Emmanuel Whose coming was foretold. These precious gifts of rarity Were consciously contrived... Prophetically befitting And heavenly derived. Presented to a Jewish babe Denoting things at hand, The Dayspring and Messiah, The Savior of fallen man. Gold represents His Kingship And reign upon the Throne, As King of Kings and Lord of Lords That mighty crushing Stone. Frankincense, His Priesthood Unchangeable indeed... He, the one time offering, Ever living to intercede. Myrrh, the Man of Sorrows Signifying His death; The ointment of embalming For the Balm of Gilead. These gifts were confirmation Conveying prophetic scheme... Proclaiming to a hopeless world He's here, who will redeem!



Sharing The True Christmas

Sharing The True Christmas
By George Thurlow

 

Copyright November 30, 2015

It's not nostalgic feelings,

Tinseled trees and brilliant lights:

Food, fun, and parties

And a wonderland of white.

Neither is it reindeer,

Magical Santa and his elves:

It's not about malls and shopping,

Searching through aisles and shelves.

Christmas is a miracle

And an awesome act of love:

A rescue mission to the earth

Devised in heaven above.

It's a gesture of forgiveness,

The restoration of the breach,

Reconciliation brokered

Through the Prince of Peace.

It's God's offering of pardon,

A free gift of love and grace:

Reinstatement of lost fellowship

Of our relations face to face.

The inspired celestial outreach,

The Trinitarian plan:

Emmanuel, God is with us

Indwelling mortal man.

Culture and tradition

Has gotten the world off track,

So the true meaning of Christmas

Is nonexistent or is slack.

Now a season of great selfishness

And materialistic greed;

Forgotten is the Savior

Who came to set man free.

But as Christians, by example

We can lead the way;

Sharing the true meaning of Christmas

As open epistles on display.

Heralding the Good News

That Christ repaired the rift;

And gave His life as a ransom

As the ultimate Christmas gift.



The Antidote

 

The Antidote

By George Thurlow

 

Copyright September 4, 2008

 

The subtle serpent struck,

Striving to usurp the plan:

Fracturing the fellowship

Separating God and man.

 

Penalties were appointed

To the man, the wife and snake.

Adam lost the title deed,

And was forced to capitulate.

 

But an antidote was promised

For the serpent's bite...

A prophetic anti venom

To restore and make things right.

 

There'd be a crushing of the serpent's head

For the bruising of the heel.

All accomplished through the woman's Seed

Signed in Blood and sealed.

 

The precious Blood of Jesus...

Antidote for death and sin,

Flowed from this second Adam

For the final win!

 

This remedy of highest value

The fix so true and sure.

One drop of Christ's untainted Blood

Wrought the double cure.

 

The devil was defeated

And man was now redeemed

The Seed of the woman

Foiled the serpent's scheme.

Genesis 3:15
¹⁵ And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.



No Problems

No Problems

By George Thurlow

 

Copyright December 23, 2006

 

There really are no problems,

Only portions of the plan:

All things are beneficial

When placed in the Father's hands.

 

From annoyance to a crisis,

On a scale of one to ten,

God makes the situation

To abound for man.

 

All things work together

For our eternal good,

When we thank and praise Him

As all believers should.

 

As we allow Him everyday

To order our steps aright;

Staying on the path of righteousness

All things work out alright.

 

There really are no problems

From an eternal point of view,

Just golden threads of a tapestry

Woven in me and you.

Romans 8:28
²⁸ 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.



The Lynchpin

The Lynchpin
By George Thurlow

November 16, 2015

Let Jesus be your lynchpin
To make you safe, secure:
To hold your world together
When all about is not too sure.

Christ will keep you steadfast
And stabilize your life:
 Keep your feet from sliding
So your steps will be aright.

Christ will keep you solid;
He will be to you like glue,
And hold your life together
To firmly establish you.

In this world of great perplexity,
In these last and fleeting hours,
Stay locked and linked to Jesus Christ,
And strengthened by His power.

Let Jesus be your lynchpin;
Stay fastened to the rock.
Be steadfast and unmovable,
Unwavering in your walk.

Poem inspired by Pastor Merle L. Mitchell's sermon "The Lynch Pin" delivered
in the morning service November 15, 2015 at Faith Lighthouse Church, Old Orchard Beach, Maine.





Giving Thanks For What I Don't Have

 

Giving Thanks For What I Don't Have

By George Thurlow

 

Copyright November 13, 2015

 

How great to count our blessings

Giving thanks for all God's done,

For the benefits wrought at Calvary

Through Jesus Christ the Son.

 

Then it was quickened to my spirit

Further reasons to be glad,

Not just for the blessings I received

But for the things that I don't have.

 

Like guilt and condemnation

And eternity in hell:

Worry, fear, anxiety,

Being trapped in satan's cell.

 

No spirit of heaviness,

Depression, hate or gloom,

Bitterness, oppression

Nor sense of impending doom.

 

I give thanks for joy unspeakable

And redemption through the Blood,

For the gift of Christ's own righteousness

And peace flowing like a flood.

Romans 8:1

8 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit

 

Isaiah 61:3

³ To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.

 

 1 Peter 1:8

⁸ Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

 



It's Not About Turkey

It's Not About Turkey

By George Thurlow

Copyright September 16, 2006

Thanksgiving is not about turkey,
Stuffing and pumpkin pie,
Neither holiday hoopla,
Nor parades passing by...

Dare I mention football
With its endless string of games,
Being a couch potato,
Or a day off from work with pay?

Thanksgiving once was set aside
To bless and honor God,
To thank Him for His mercies
And for the land on which we trod.

Thanksgiving is a holy day
Sacred and set apart,
A special day of reverence
With rejoicing from the heart.

Family, food, and fellowship
Most certainly have their place;
But don't forget to bless the Lord
Full of love and grace.

 

 



Thanks Given

Thanks Given

By George Thurlow

Copyright October 11, 2007

T...For the table spread with plenty
God graciously provides,

H...For a home with joyous laughter
Wherein the Lord abides.

A...For the assembly of the brethren
All in one accord,

N...For new mercies every morning
And a never failing Lord.

 

K...For adoption as a King's kid
And being heaven bound,

S...For salvation and deliverance,
The new life I have found.



The Voice Of Thanksgiving

The Voice Of Thanksgiving By George Thurlow   Copyright October 11, 2007   What privilege, what an honor To publish all abroad: The exploits and wonders, The works of the Lord. Through psalms, songs and poetry The offerings of praise... What joy, oh what blessing Jesus' name to raise. The voice of thanksgiving Related via rhyme... That's Holy Ghost inspired And of a heavenly clime. In a neat pithy package Those lyrics of love, Blessings to my Savior Conveyed by the Dove. Psalm 26:7 "That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works."



"Yeah But"

Yeah But

By George Thurlow

 

Copyright November 3, 2015

 

No "yeah buts" in God's Kingdom;

God said it, it is true:

If written in the Bible

Then the promise is for you.

 

No "yeah buts" from believers;

We're sheep not billy goats.

Don't be wishy washy Christians;

Cast aside all doubt.

 

Don't "yeah but" what God's spoken;

He'll never lie to you.

God's willing to perform all things

That He said He'll do.

 

 Don't hinder Him through unbelief,

Insulting the living God;

And question His integrity

As if He would defraud.

 

Believe it and receive it;

Accept those things you've heard:

As proclaimed in the Scriptures,

Christ is the living Word.

 

 

 Mark 6:5-6

⁵ And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.
⁶ And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.

 

John 1:1-3

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

² The same was in the beginning with God.
³ All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

 

 *Poem idea borrowed from an expression my pastor, Rev. M.L. Mitchell often says to the flock at Faith Lighthouse: "Don't 'yeah but' God. We're sheep not goats." Thanks Pastor Merle for reminding us.

 

 

 



For Such A Time

For Such A Time

By George Thurlow

 Copyright November 1, 2015
 

For such a time each one ordained

Fulfilling strategic roles;

As warriors in God's Kingdom

Praying in lost souls.

 

For such a time each one is called

Working out God's plans;

Through leading of the Holy Ghost

As kings and priests we stand.

 

For such a time each one empowered

To destroy the devil's work;

As believers in Christ Jesus

Doing even greater works.

 

For such a time through Jesus' name

We're His body, We're His hands;

Continuing the work He started

And whatever He commands.

 

For such a time until He comes

Christians carry on;

Until we rule and reign with Him

In the New Jerusalem.

John 14:12

¹² Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. 

 
Revelation 1:6
⁶ And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



How Shall We Do?

 

 

How Shall We Do?

By George Thurlow

 

Copyright October 19, 2015

 

Surrounded by the enemy,

Encompassed round about,

The servant of Elisha

Began to quake and doubt.

 

"Oh master how then shall we do?",

Strickened with great fear:

Fixated on the numbers,

How the circumstance appeared.

 

Elisha spoke, "Fear not for they

With us are even more

Than those who be against us",

To his servant reassured.

 

Elisha called upon the Lord

 "Pray, open up his eyes":

Then round about the ridge he saw

A host of greater size.

 

Horses stood throughout the mount,

 Fierce chariots of fire:

Ready to defend the men

If the Lord required.

 

So Christians don't be frightened

And feel so overwhelmed;

The same army's at attention

In the spiritual realm.

 

God's eyes are ever watching,

 Christ is the Lord of Hosts;

He'll surely deliver His children

Indwelt by the Holy Ghost.

 

Through Christ we shall do valiantly*

We are children of the King

Covered in His precious Blood

Victorious in everything!

 

 

 2 Kings 6:15-17

¹⁵ And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?
¹⁶ And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.
¹⁷ And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

 
Psalm 108:13
^*13 Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.

This poem was inspired by Rev. M.L. Mitchell's sermon "We Have Help" delivered in the evening service October 18, 2015 at Faith Lighthouse Assembly of God, Old Orchard Beach, Maine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Is This Not The Hour?

Is This Not The Hour?

By George Thurlow

 

Copyright October 17, 2015

 

Is this not the hour

Of which we've always heard;

The beginning of the sorrows

Foretold in God's own Word?

 

Is this not the hour

For the sounding of the trump?

Are these not the birth pangs

Not the usual trials and bumps?

 

Are not the signs converging,

 Increased in intensity?

Distress among the nations

With great perplexity?

 

Signs in the sun, the moon and stars

Violence throughout the earth:

Jerusalem now a burdensome stone

Soon after Israel's birth?

 

Famines, plague's and earthquakes

And these are not a few:

False teachers and false prophets

Lead the undiscerned askew.

 

Is this not the day and time

To make it right with God

To get your sins forgiven

 Be washed in Christ's own Blood?

 

Is this not the hour

To be absolutely sure

You have reserved a home in heaven

Where your soul will be secure?

 

2 Corinthians 6:2

² (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

 
Hosea 10:12

¹² Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

The Beauty of His Presence

The Beauty of His Presence

By George Thurlow

 

Copyright October 17, 2015

 

My eyes feast upon the beauty

Of the golden marsh,

In the season of transition

Before the winter harsh.

 

The panoply of autumn tints

Against the azure sky;

Excited honks of Canada geese

Making their southward fly.

 

Great blue herons fishing still

On the banks of teeming ponds.

Snowy egrets fan their wings
Like the waving of a frond.

Captivated by God's artistry
Enveloped by His love,
I'm swept into communion
With my Creator from above.

In this "garden" we have fellowship;
It becomes a Holy place.
I'm surrounded by your presence
As I seek your face.

This poem was written while enjoying morning fellowship with the Lord at
Goosefare Brook. The brisk autumn air coupled with the brilliant colors and feathered friends was the perfect setting to chat with the Lord and enjoy His presence.
Thank you Holy Spirit!

*Photos by George Thurlow taken at Goosefare Brook.




 

 

 

 



Kick The "T" Off Can't

Kick The "T" Off Can't*

By George Thurlow

 

 

Copyright February 3, 1996

 

There's a word that should be banished,

From the dictionary be left out.

It's a word of negativity,

Lack of faith and doubt.

 

It's goes against all Scripture.

It's truly unbelief.

It hinders the Holy Spirit's

Power from being released.

 

It's ignorance of God's promises

And reveals there is no trust:

For we can do all things through Jesus

Our Lord Who strengthens us.*

 

It's a word of just four letters

That never should be heard

Coming from a Christian

Who should believe in God's own Word.

 

It's the simple phrase "I can't"

That puts roadblocks in the way;

Keeps one from doing Jesus' will

Each and every day.

 

Whenever we state it can't be done

It shows unfaithfulness.

We must repent upon our knees

And to Jesus Christ confess.

 

For nothing is impossible

If we do not doubt:

For God has promised in His Word

To help His children out.

 

This four letter word, let's now remove

Never to be heard again:

For we are children of the King

And to do all things we can!

 

*Philippians 4:13

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me".

 

*"Kick the "t" off can't" is a phrase often spoken by my Pastor, Rev. Merle L. Mitchell and was the inspiration behind this poem.

Thanks Pastor!