In Everything Gives Thanks
“In everything give thanks,”
For the great and the small,
For blessings abundant
Or no blessing at all.
Give thanks in all things
As it says in God’s Word,
For every blessing we have
Is a gift from the Lord.
Give thanks in the good times;
Give thanks in the bad;
Give thanks for the problems;
Give thanks when your sad;
Give thanks when your happy;
Give thanks for the trials;
Give thanks for the frowns you get;
Give thanks for the smiles.
“In everything give thanks,”
As it says in God’s Word,
For every blessing we have
Is a gift from the Lord.
a. franklin staples
(finished December 12, 1998)
© 1998 by A. Franklin Staples
Thursday, March 30, 2017
God Loves With An Everlasting Love
God loves with a love everlasting,
A love deeper than the deepest of seas;
A love that encompasses all of mankind,
Yes, a love that encompasses me.
Yes, God loves even me, a vile sinner,
A wretch and a worm from my birth;
Why, He loves me so much that He sent His dear Son
To die a cruel death on this earth.
'Twas His love for mankind that sent His Son to the cross,
His Son born in Bethlehem's stall,
That all who will call on His name should be saved,
For He paid sin's great price once for all.
God loves with a love everlasting,
A love that men can't comprehend,
A love that's eternal, sublime and supernal,
With neither beginning nor end.
a. franklin staples
September 15 - October 5, 1996
© 1996 by A. Franklin Staples
God loves with a love everlasting,
A love deeper than the deepest of seas;
A love that encompasses all of mankind,
Yes, a love that encompasses me.
Yes, God loves even me, a vile sinner,
A wretch and a worm from my birth;
Why, He loves me so much that He sent His dear Son
To die a cruel death on this earth.
'Twas His love for mankind that sent His Son to the cross,
His Son born in Bethlehem's stall,
That all who will call on His name should be saved,
For He paid sin's great price once for all.
God loves with a love everlasting,
A love that men can't comprehend,
A love that's eternal, sublime and supernal,
With neither beginning nor end.
a. franklin staples
September 15 - October 5, 1996
© 1996 by A. Franklin Staples
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Little David, Shepherd Boy
“Little David, shepherd boy” is a term we often hear,
But that Little David, shepherd boy, killed a lion and a bear.
Little David, shepherd boy, kept his father Jesse’s sheep,
Trusted to well look after them and a careful watch to keep.
Little David, shepherd boy, sang and played the harp,
Sang praise to God and became known as “a man after God’s own heart.”
Little David, shepherd boy, could wear the armour of the king,
So let’s not think that, in his youth, he was some puny little thing,
But because he had not tried it, as a seasoned soldier should,
He wore it not to battle, but in shepherd’s clothes he stood
To face Goliath’s challenge, who viewed him with disdain
And boasted loud, for all to hear, that David would be slain.
Little David, shepherd boy, met Goliath in the plain.
With one smooth stone in his trusty sling, he took sure and careful aim,
Sent the stone whistling on its way, struck Goliath in the head,
And before he could draw another breath, the giant Goliath was dead.
Yes, Goliath fell dead upon the ground and mighty was his fall
Because Little David, shepherd boy, was not little after all.
a. franklin staples
Completed March 26, 1999
©1999 by A. Franklin Staples
“Little David, shepherd boy” is a term we often hear,
But that Little David, shepherd boy, killed a lion and a bear.
Little David, shepherd boy, kept his father Jesse’s sheep,
Trusted to well look after them and a careful watch to keep.
Little David, shepherd boy, sang and played the harp,
Sang praise to God and became known as “a man after God’s own heart.”
Little David, shepherd boy, could wear the armour of the king,
So let’s not think that, in his youth, he was some puny little thing,
But because he had not tried it, as a seasoned soldier should,
He wore it not to battle, but in shepherd’s clothes he stood
To face Goliath’s challenge, who viewed him with disdain
And boasted loud, for all to hear, that David would be slain.
Little David, shepherd boy, met Goliath in the plain.
With one smooth stone in his trusty sling, he took sure and careful aim,
Sent the stone whistling on its way, struck Goliath in the head,
And before he could draw another breath, the giant Goliath was dead.
Yes, Goliath fell dead upon the ground and mighty was his fall
Because Little David, shepherd boy, was not little after all.
a. franklin staples
Completed March 26, 1999
©1999 by A. Franklin Staples
Under the Gun
Under the gun for God and His Son,
To suffer and die for the Lord...
Would you be ready? Is your faith sure and steady?
Would you stake your life on His Word?
Under the gun for God and His Son
Is the way many are living today;
In danger of dying, on Christ they’re relying.
They are staking their lives on His Way.
Under the gun for God and His Son
May soon be the state you are in.
Will your faith take you through? To Christ are you true?
Would you be ready to die for Him?
Under the gun for God and His Son,
Or maybe the sword or the knife;
What would you do, my friend, if ‘twas you?
Would you die for your faith in the Christ?
Yes, under the gun for God and His Son;
What if it happened right here?
Would you stand true and firm, upheld in His arms,
Or surrender to terror and fear?
Under the gun for God and His Son...
My friend, if it happened to you,
Would you turn tail and run, as many have done,
Or trust Jesus to carry you through?
a. franklin staples , March 22, 1998
Copyright © 1998 by Allison F. Staples
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE SENSE OF SHAME?
Whatever happened to the sense of shame?
Did it go the same way as the acceptance of blame?
In this age that we live in, when everything’s right,
When even most of the church is living by sight,
Is shame out of date, a thing of the past,
Or is it still with us? That’s the question I ask.
Now, shame is not something I’m ignorant of,
For I’ve felt it before and I well knew the cause
Was something I’d done that I knew I should not,
And the reason I knew was because I’d been taught
That there are certain things that it is not right to do,
Like cheating and lying, to name only two.
But shame’s seldom mentioned in this day, it seems,
For fear it will harm some poor soul’s “self esteem.”
No matter that God, in His Book, says it’s wrong
To do whatever it is that’s been done;
It’s often smoothed over or the wrong’s made to be right,
White’s turned into black, and the black into white!
God’s Word is manipulated, turned upside down,
Inside is turned out and the Truth is not shown;
The deeds done in darkness are not brought to the light,
Right is deemed wrong, and the wrong is made right.
Remember, my friend, it’s what God says that’s true,
And every man is a liar who won’t hold to God’s Truth.
Yes, shame is still with us, believe it or not,
For God’s Word proclaims it as every man’s lot
Who refuses to heed what the LORD has to say
And gropes blindly along in his own sinful way,
Searching for something he cannot explain,
But refusing salvation through Jesus’ dear name.
Coveters, enviers, yes, and murderers, too,
Harlots and fornicators, to name but a few,
Adulterers, whoremongers, liars and thieves—
We who are saved were once some of these—
But thanks be to Jesus, we’re no longer the same,
For He died to redeem us from sin and from shame.
a. franklin staples
Completed March 27, 1999
©1999 by A. Franklin Staples
Whatever happened to the sense of shame?
Did it go the same way as the acceptance of blame?
In this age that we live in, when everything’s right,
When even most of the church is living by sight,
Is shame out of date, a thing of the past,
Or is it still with us? That’s the question I ask.
Now, shame is not something I’m ignorant of,
For I’ve felt it before and I well knew the cause
Was something I’d done that I knew I should not,
And the reason I knew was because I’d been taught
That there are certain things that it is not right to do,
Like cheating and lying, to name only two.
But shame’s seldom mentioned in this day, it seems,
For fear it will harm some poor soul’s “self esteem.”
No matter that God, in His Book, says it’s wrong
To do whatever it is that’s been done;
It’s often smoothed over or the wrong’s made to be right,
White’s turned into black, and the black into white!
God’s Word is manipulated, turned upside down,
Inside is turned out and the Truth is not shown;
The deeds done in darkness are not brought to the light,
Right is deemed wrong, and the wrong is made right.
Remember, my friend, it’s what God says that’s true,
And every man is a liar who won’t hold to God’s Truth.
Yes, shame is still with us, believe it or not,
For God’s Word proclaims it as every man’s lot
Who refuses to heed what the LORD has to say
And gropes blindly along in his own sinful way,
Searching for something he cannot explain,
But refusing salvation through Jesus’ dear name.
Coveters, enviers, yes, and murderers, too,
Harlots and fornicators, to name but a few,
Adulterers, whoremongers, liars and thieves—
We who are saved were once some of these—
But thanks be to Jesus, we’re no longer the same,
For He died to redeem us from sin and from shame.
a. franklin staples
Completed March 27, 1999
©1999 by A. Franklin Staples
Have You Ever Asked Yourself...?
Have you ever asked yourself this question?
“What brought me to this place
Where they praise the name of Jesus Christ
And sing of God’s amazing grace?”
Do you think it was just by accident
That you walked in through these doors,
Or could it be, do you suppose,
You were led here by the Lord?
Do you suppose that He has plans for you,
If you’d only let Him in
To cleanse your soul of all its dross
And wash away all of your sin?
He died, you know, on an old rugged cross
In Jerusalem on a day long ago,
And He paid the price for all of your sins,
Yes, every last one, don’t you know?
He bore all of your sins on that cursed tree,
Shed His own precious blood for you;
Just believe on His Name In pure simple faith,
That’s all that you have to do.
He’ll bear all of your burdens, Calm all your fears,
Be with you in bad times and good,
Take all of your sins and wash them away
In the fountain of His precious blood.
You see, it was He who brought you here
To this place at this very hour,
That you might hear of His love for you,
And learn of His saving power.
Don’t turn Him away from the door of your heart —
Open it and let Him come in.
Surrender your life to Jesus today
And eternal life you shall win.
a. franklin staples
(Finished December 13, 1998)
© 1998 by A. Franklin Staples
Have you ever asked yourself this question?
“What brought me to this place
Where they praise the name of Jesus Christ
And sing of God’s amazing grace?”
Do you think it was just by accident
That you walked in through these doors,
Or could it be, do you suppose,
You were led here by the Lord?
Do you suppose that He has plans for you,
If you’d only let Him in
To cleanse your soul of all its dross
And wash away all of your sin?
He died, you know, on an old rugged cross
In Jerusalem on a day long ago,
And He paid the price for all of your sins,
Yes, every last one, don’t you know?
He bore all of your sins on that cursed tree,
Shed His own precious blood for you;
Just believe on His Name In pure simple faith,
That’s all that you have to do.
He’ll bear all of your burdens, Calm all your fears,
Be with you in bad times and good,
Take all of your sins and wash them away
In the fountain of His precious blood.
You see, it was He who brought you here
To this place at this very hour,
That you might hear of His love for you,
And learn of His saving power.
Don’t turn Him away from the door of your heart —
Open it and let Him come in.
Surrender your life to Jesus today
And eternal life you shall win.
a. franklin staples
(Finished December 13, 1998)
© 1998 by A. Franklin Staples
Let the Holy Spirit Work
Let the Holy Spirit work, for ‘tis He who builds the Church;
Blessed Comforter and Guide Who in each saint doth e’er abide.
Ours is but to sow the Seed And lend a hand to those in need.
When it comes to adding to God’s Church, Let the Holy Spirit work.
Preach the Gospel, tell the Story; Praise the Lord, give God the glory,
But when it comes to adding to God’s Church, Let the Holy Spirit work.
Tell of Jesus, crucified; That for all man’s sin He bled and died,
But when it comes to adding to God’s Church, Let the Holy Spirit work.
Tell the Story; make it plain That Jesus died and rose again,
But when it comes to adding to God’s Church, Let the Holy Spirit work.
Preach the Word; yes, make it plain That Jesus lives and will come again;
Your Christian duty do not shirk, But let the Holy Spirit work.
You may push and probe and plead and prod, But you’re just a man! You are not God!
Men’s hearts and minds you cannot search! Let the Holy Spirit work!
a. franklin staples
October 1, 1998
©1998 by a. franklin staples
Let the Holy Spirit work, for ‘tis He who builds the Church;
Blessed Comforter and Guide Who in each saint doth e’er abide.
Ours is but to sow the Seed And lend a hand to those in need.
When it comes to adding to God’s Church, Let the Holy Spirit work.
Preach the Gospel, tell the Story; Praise the Lord, give God the glory,
But when it comes to adding to God’s Church, Let the Holy Spirit work.
Tell of Jesus, crucified; That for all man’s sin He bled and died,
But when it comes to adding to God’s Church, Let the Holy Spirit work.
Tell the Story; make it plain That Jesus died and rose again,
But when it comes to adding to God’s Church, Let the Holy Spirit work.
Preach the Word; yes, make it plain That Jesus lives and will come again;
Your Christian duty do not shirk, But let the Holy Spirit work.
You may push and probe and plead and prod, But you’re just a man! You are not God!
Men’s hearts and minds you cannot search! Let the Holy Spirit work!
a. franklin staples
October 1, 1998
©1998 by a. franklin staples
Saturday, March 25, 2017
THE PETERSON PICNIC
We’ve been to the Peterson Picnic,
Where gathered the Peterson clan.
‘Twas held, this Peterson Picnic,
That the young folk might understand
That there was more to the Peterson Picnic
Than just getting together to eat;
That you went to the Peterson Picnic,
Young and old your relations to meet!
‘Twas not quiet at the Peterson Picnic;
‘Twas as noisy as noisy could be
For there were kids at the Peterson Picnic,
And they were joyful and happy and free.
And people talked at the Peterson Picnic!
In fact, everyone was talking at once!
You couldn’t hear at the Peterson Picnic
Unless close together you bunched.
Now the food at the Peterson Picnic
Was plentiful and tasty and good;
There was so much at the Peterson Picnic
That you ate far more than you should.
They sang at the Peterson Picnic,
And the Petersons just loved to sing
Hymns at the Peterson Picnic,
To Jesus, their Lord and their King;
Yes, they sang at the Peterson Picnic
And the harmony brought joy to the ear
When the Petersons gathered to picnic
In the Summer time of the year.
There were memories at the Peterson Picnic
Of the folks and times of the past,
And those memories at the Peterson Picnic
To the next generation were passed.
Now, if you’ve been to the Peterson Picnic
Then I really don’t have to tell ya
About the folks at the Peterson Picnic,
The descendants of James Robert and Ella.
July 14, 1991 by
a. franklin staples
Great-grandson of James Robert and Ella (McLean) Peterson,
Eldest Son of Anson Staples and Teresa Pauline (Crouse) Staples, who was the eldest of the eleven children born to Franklin and Mary Bell (Peterson) Crouse, who was the eldest daughter of James Robert and Ella (McLean) Peterson.
We’ve been to the Peterson Picnic,
Where gathered the Peterson clan.
‘Twas held, this Peterson Picnic,
That the young folk might understand
That there was more to the Peterson Picnic
Than just getting together to eat;
That you went to the Peterson Picnic,
Young and old your relations to meet!
‘Twas not quiet at the Peterson Picnic;
‘Twas as noisy as noisy could be
For there were kids at the Peterson Picnic,
And they were joyful and happy and free.
And people talked at the Peterson Picnic!
In fact, everyone was talking at once!
You couldn’t hear at the Peterson Picnic
Unless close together you bunched.
Now the food at the Peterson Picnic
Was plentiful and tasty and good;
There was so much at the Peterson Picnic
That you ate far more than you should.
They sang at the Peterson Picnic,
And the Petersons just loved to sing
Hymns at the Peterson Picnic,
To Jesus, their Lord and their King;
Yes, they sang at the Peterson Picnic
And the harmony brought joy to the ear
When the Petersons gathered to picnic
In the Summer time of the year.
There were memories at the Peterson Picnic
Of the folks and times of the past,
And those memories at the Peterson Picnic
To the next generation were passed.
Now, if you’ve been to the Peterson Picnic
Then I really don’t have to tell ya
About the folks at the Peterson Picnic,
The descendants of James Robert and Ella.
July 14, 1991 by
a. franklin staples
Great-grandson of James Robert and Ella (McLean) Peterson,
Eldest Son of Anson Staples and Teresa Pauline (Crouse) Staples, who was the eldest of the eleven children born to Franklin and Mary Bell (Peterson) Crouse, who was the eldest daughter of James Robert and Ella (McLean) Peterson.
Friday, March 24, 2017
JUST A LITTLE COG IN THE WHEEL
Just a little cog in the great big wheel, Lord,
Let me be just a little cog in the wheel;
I'm not anything much without Thy life-giving touch,
But I can be just a little cog in the wheel.
Just a little cog in the great big wheel, Lord,
Let me be just a little cog in the wheel;
The whole wheel I'm not, but I'll give what I've got
To be just a little cog in the wheel.
a. franklin staples
July 2, 1995
Copyright © 1995 by A. Franklin Staples
Just a little cog in the great big wheel, Lord,
Let me be just a little cog in the wheel;
I'm not anything much without Thy life-giving touch,
But I can be just a little cog in the wheel.
Just a little cog in the great big wheel, Lord,
Let me be just a little cog in the wheel;
The whole wheel I'm not, but I'll give what I've got
To be just a little cog in the wheel.
a. franklin staples
July 2, 1995
Copyright © 1995 by A. Franklin Staples
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
THIS OLD BODY OF DUST
The saved in Christ do not grow old —
Just these mortal bodies do.
This frail robe of flesh we wear
Will never see us through,
For some day, friend, we'll just fly away.
This vile body leave behind,
To go to be where Jesus is
And have a body of His kind.
This old body of dust will just wear out
If it stays for its full time
Of three score and ten, or perhaps four score;
Then 'twill surely be left behind
When the soul departs for that higher plane,
Fore'er with Christ to dwell;
No more sickness, no, nor sorrow nor pain
In that land where all is well.
We'll have a new body that will never grow old,
Never wear out nor ever break down,
One fashioned like the glorious body of Christ,
Not made from the dust of the ground;
A body eternal, not affected by time,
For of time there won't be any more
When God has restored all things to Himself,
And we're safe on that heavenly shore.
a. franklin staples
August 13 & 23, 1995
Copyright © 1995 by A. Franklin Staples
The saved in Christ do not grow old —
Just these mortal bodies do.
This frail robe of flesh we wear
Will never see us through,
For some day, friend, we'll just fly away.
This vile body leave behind,
To go to be where Jesus is
And have a body of His kind.
This old body of dust will just wear out
If it stays for its full time
Of three score and ten, or perhaps four score;
Then 'twill surely be left behind
When the soul departs for that higher plane,
Fore'er with Christ to dwell;
No more sickness, no, nor sorrow nor pain
In that land where all is well.
We'll have a new body that will never grow old,
Never wear out nor ever break down,
One fashioned like the glorious body of Christ,
Not made from the dust of the ground;
A body eternal, not affected by time,
For of time there won't be any more
When God has restored all things to Himself,
And we're safe on that heavenly shore.
a. franklin staples
August 13 & 23, 1995
Copyright © 1995 by A. Franklin Staples
Tuesday, March 21, 2017
UNDER THE CURSE
Under the curse, the dread curse of SIN,
These bodies of ours, bones, blood, flesh and skin,
Are beset by afflictions and pain and disease,
Deprived often of comfort and strangers to ease.
Death stalks all the living, has passed upon all,
For we're under sin's curse brought about by man's fall,
And that curse is still with us, will be 'til Christ comes
And gives us new bodies made like His own.
These bodies we live in wear out, day by day,
Beset by aging and disease and decay,
Under the curse spelled out by God's law,
For the curse of man's sin has passed on us all.
To die physically once is the fate of all men,
For this physical body bears the curse of that sin,
But because the Lord Jesus on the cross paid sin's price,
Not one of His own will ever have to die twice.
a. franklin staples
September 24, 1995
Copyright © 1995 by A. Franklin Staples
Under the curse, the dread curse of SIN,
These bodies of ours, bones, blood, flesh and skin,
Are beset by afflictions and pain and disease,
Deprived often of comfort and strangers to ease.
Death stalks all the living, has passed upon all,
For we're under sin's curse brought about by man's fall,
And that curse is still with us, will be 'til Christ comes
And gives us new bodies made like His own.
These bodies we live in wear out, day by day,
Beset by aging and disease and decay,
Under the curse spelled out by God's law,
For the curse of man's sin has passed on us all.
To die physically once is the fate of all men,
For this physical body bears the curse of that sin,
But because the Lord Jesus on the cross paid sin's price,
Not one of His own will ever have to die twice.
a. franklin staples
September 24, 1995
Copyright © 1995 by A. Franklin Staples
Sunday, March 19, 2017
WHY?
Why came God’s Son in human form
To live on this sin-stained earth?
Why was He born in a lowly stable?
Why not a most noble birth?
Why came He to earth in just that age?
Why not in Israel’s prime?
What was the reason for His coming just then?
What had it to do with the time?
Why did He die at the behest of a mob
And why on a cruel Roman cross?
Could all of these questions have answers related
To the soul of each one who is lost?
What are the answers to these questions I’ve posed?
Are there good reasons for all?
Are each of these questions and answers important
To redeeming lost man from the Fall?
The Lord Jesus Christ was a man born to die -
‘Twas for that very reason He came -
To die to redeem a lost world from sin;
To save all who will believe on His Name.
To that end He was born in a harsh Roman world
Where the cross was the instrument of death;
The cruelest, most tortuous, death-dealing device
E’er devised by a man who draws breath
For the cross was reserved for the enemies of Rome -
The vilest and basest of those;
No Roman citizen could be condemned to a cross,
Just those whom it conquered as foes.
Paul the Apostle, as a citizen of Rome,
Had his head removed by a sword.
Because of his birth he was unable to share
In the manner of death of his Lord.
On a cross Jesus died to redeem a lost world,
For the cross, with its anguish and pain,
Is a symbol of death of the most horrible kind,
“An emblem of suffering and shame.”
Despised and rejected, Jesus went to that cross
And suffered and bled for my sin;
The perfect and blameless and pure Lamb of God
Did in shame my freedom to win.
It was what God demanded in payment for sin,
Sacrifice He alone could have made.
God Himself came to die on a cruel Roman cross -
The great price for sin has been paid.
a. franklin staples
April 3, 1990
Copyright © 1990 by Allison F. Staples
Why came God’s Son in human form
To live on this sin-stained earth?
Why was He born in a lowly stable?
Why not a most noble birth?
Why came He to earth in just that age?
Why not in Israel’s prime?
What was the reason for His coming just then?
What had it to do with the time?
Why did He die at the behest of a mob
And why on a cruel Roman cross?
Could all of these questions have answers related
To the soul of each one who is lost?
What are the answers to these questions I’ve posed?
Are there good reasons for all?
Are each of these questions and answers important
To redeeming lost man from the Fall?
The Lord Jesus Christ was a man born to die -
‘Twas for that very reason He came -
To die to redeem a lost world from sin;
To save all who will believe on His Name.
To that end He was born in a harsh Roman world
Where the cross was the instrument of death;
The cruelest, most tortuous, death-dealing device
E’er devised by a man who draws breath
For the cross was reserved for the enemies of Rome -
The vilest and basest of those;
No Roman citizen could be condemned to a cross,
Just those whom it conquered as foes.
Paul the Apostle, as a citizen of Rome,
Had his head removed by a sword.
Because of his birth he was unable to share
In the manner of death of his Lord.
On a cross Jesus died to redeem a lost world,
For the cross, with its anguish and pain,
Is a symbol of death of the most horrible kind,
“An emblem of suffering and shame.”
Despised and rejected, Jesus went to that cross
And suffered and bled for my sin;
The perfect and blameless and pure Lamb of God
Did in shame my freedom to win.
It was what God demanded in payment for sin,
Sacrifice He alone could have made.
God Himself came to die on a cruel Roman cross -
The great price for sin has been paid.
a. franklin staples
April 3, 1990
Copyright © 1990 by Allison F. Staples
Saturday, March 18, 2017
EVERY CHRISTIAN HOME IS GOD’S HOUSE
Every Christian's home is God's house,
For He must surely dwell therein;
He owns it all — floor, ceiling, walls —
And everything within.
Every Christian home is God's house,
Christ is the Master there;
'Tis a place where He is worshipped;
Yea, 'tis to be a place of prayer.
Every Christian home is God's house
Where the old, old story's told
Of that wonderful salvation
That is free to young and old.
Every Christian home is God's house;
'Tis a place where His Word is read,
A place where His holy people
Can gather to be fed.
Yes, every Christian home is God's house
For the Holy Ghost is there,
Indwelt in each believer,
To comfort, teach and share.
a. franklin staples
August 14 (1st Stanza) - November 26, 1994
Copyright © 1994 by A. Franklin Staples
Every Christian's home is God's house,
For He must surely dwell therein;
He owns it all — floor, ceiling, walls —
And everything within.
Every Christian home is God's house,
Christ is the Master there;
'Tis a place where He is worshipped;
Yea, 'tis to be a place of prayer.
Every Christian home is God's house
Where the old, old story's told
Of that wonderful salvation
That is free to young and old.
Every Christian home is God's house;
'Tis a place where His Word is read,
A place where His holy people
Can gather to be fed.
Yes, every Christian home is God's house
For the Holy Ghost is there,
Indwelt in each believer,
To comfort, teach and share.
a. franklin staples
August 14 (1st Stanza) - November 26, 1994
Copyright © 1994 by A. Franklin Staples
JUST A TEMPORARY DWELLING PLACE
Just a temporary dwelling place
Is this earthly house of mine;
Soon I'll leave it for a better one
In Heaven so sublime;
Yes, a mansion built by Jesus,
One that's wondrous, bright and fair,
Where I'll dwell with Him forever
In that city built four-square.
Just a temporary dwelling place,
For here no permanent roots have I;
Just a stranger and a pilgrim,
I'll be leaving by and by
Either to walk through death's dark valley,
Holding to my Saviour's hand
(Safe across it He will lead me
Into Heaven's promised land),
Or I'll meet Him in the rapture
When He comes to claim His own.
Either way, I'll live forever
Within sight of Heaven's Throne.
Things of earth will be forgotten
When I look upon His face
And no more will I be needing
This temporary dwelling place.
a. franklin staples
February 25-26, 1995
Copyright © 1995 by A. Franklin Staples
Just a temporary dwelling place
Is this earthly house of mine;
Soon I'll leave it for a better one
In Heaven so sublime;
Yes, a mansion built by Jesus,
One that's wondrous, bright and fair,
Where I'll dwell with Him forever
In that city built four-square.
Just a temporary dwelling place,
For here no permanent roots have I;
Just a stranger and a pilgrim,
I'll be leaving by and by
Either to walk through death's dark valley,
Holding to my Saviour's hand
(Safe across it He will lead me
Into Heaven's promised land),
Or I'll meet Him in the rapture
When He comes to claim His own.
Either way, I'll live forever
Within sight of Heaven's Throne.
Things of earth will be forgotten
When I look upon His face
And no more will I be needing
This temporary dwelling place.
a. franklin staples
February 25-26, 1995
Copyright © 1995 by A. Franklin Staples
Monday, March 13, 2017
FATHER, WE COME BEFORE THY THRONE
Father, we come before Thy throne
To give our praise to Thee alone
And lift Thy Son's name up on high;
'Tis upon that Name that we rely,
For 'tis in that Name we come to Thee —
'Tis by His blood we've been set free.
Lord, we thank Thee for what Thou hast done
In saving us through Thine own dear Son
Who gave His life for Adam's race.
We are naught but sinners saved by grace.
Help us, dear Lord, to watch and pray,
To show forth Christ Jesus every day;
To be truly servants in our walk,
In the way we act and live and talk,
In the way we treat our fellow man,
That those we meet may understand
That we are different, set apart,
That we've been renewed, changed in heart;
That the way we were we are no more;
We are born anew, our hope's restored
Because we've been washed in Jesus' blood,
Cleansed of sin beneath that flood
That flowed for us on Calvary's cross;
Redeemed forever from among the lost.
Give us a passion for the souls of men,
For brother, sister, neighbour, friend,
For men and women, boys and girls,
All who are bound up in the world,
Who are headed down the broad highway;
Toward destruction, to their great dismay.
Help us do that which Thou hast called us to:
To go and preach the Gospel true
To men of every race and creed
And tell them that it's Christ they need;
That salvation's found in no other name —
All once was dark, then Jesus came:
Came to pay the price for sin;
Came to redeem the souls of men;
Came to die on a sin-cursed tree
That man should be forever free
From the curse of sin on Adam's race,
Saved by Thine own matchless grace.
This we pray in that Name so dear,
The Name that is sweetest to the ear
Of every sinner who has come by faith
To partake of that same unfailing grace,
And has found release from fear and dread:
Jesus Christ, who for us bled.
a. franklin staples
September 21 - October 5, 1993
Copyright © 1993 by A. Franklin Staples
Father, we come before Thy throne
To give our praise to Thee alone
And lift Thy Son's name up on high;
'Tis upon that Name that we rely,
For 'tis in that Name we come to Thee —
'Tis by His blood we've been set free.
Lord, we thank Thee for what Thou hast done
In saving us through Thine own dear Son
Who gave His life for Adam's race.
We are naught but sinners saved by grace.
Help us, dear Lord, to watch and pray,
To show forth Christ Jesus every day;
To be truly servants in our walk,
In the way we act and live and talk,
In the way we treat our fellow man,
That those we meet may understand
That we are different, set apart,
That we've been renewed, changed in heart;
That the way we were we are no more;
We are born anew, our hope's restored
Because we've been washed in Jesus' blood,
Cleansed of sin beneath that flood
That flowed for us on Calvary's cross;
Redeemed forever from among the lost.
Give us a passion for the souls of men,
For brother, sister, neighbour, friend,
For men and women, boys and girls,
All who are bound up in the world,
Who are headed down the broad highway;
Toward destruction, to their great dismay.
Help us do that which Thou hast called us to:
To go and preach the Gospel true
To men of every race and creed
And tell them that it's Christ they need;
That salvation's found in no other name —
All once was dark, then Jesus came:
Came to pay the price for sin;
Came to redeem the souls of men;
Came to die on a sin-cursed tree
That man should be forever free
From the curse of sin on Adam's race,
Saved by Thine own matchless grace.
This we pray in that Name so dear,
The Name that is sweetest to the ear
Of every sinner who has come by faith
To partake of that same unfailing grace,
And has found release from fear and dread:
Jesus Christ, who for us bled.
a. franklin staples
September 21 - October 5, 1993
Copyright © 1993 by A. Franklin Staples
Sunday, March 12, 2017
Somewhere
Somewhere there is war today;
Somewhere people cry and pray;
Somewhere, not too far away -
It could be here.
Somewhere Christians are dismayed;
Somewhere children are afraid;
Somewhere, not too far away;
It could be here.
Somewhere people faint from fear;
Somewhere death is very near;
Somewhere, not too far from here -
It could be here.
Somewhere people have no food;
Somewhere things aren’t very good;
Somewhere, be it understood -
It could be here.
Somewhere worship is not allowed;
Somewhere God’s people can’t speak out loud;
Somewhere, yes, somewhere right now -
It could be here.
- a. franklin staples, March 5, 1998
Copyright © 1998 by Allison F. Staples
Somewhere there is war today;
Somewhere people cry and pray;
Somewhere, not too far away -
It could be here.
Somewhere Christians are dismayed;
Somewhere children are afraid;
Somewhere, not too far away;
It could be here.
Somewhere people faint from fear;
Somewhere death is very near;
Somewhere, not too far from here -
It could be here.
Somewhere people have no food;
Somewhere things aren’t very good;
Somewhere, be it understood -
It could be here.
Somewhere worship is not allowed;
Somewhere God’s people can’t speak out loud;
Somewhere, yes, somewhere right now -
It could be here.
- a. franklin staples, March 5, 1998
Copyright © 1998 by Allison F. Staples
Saturday, March 11, 2017
WHAT IS GOD DOING HERE ON THIS EARTH?
What is God doing here on this earth?
He is building a family, through Christ, by new birth,
A family so big and with connections so strong
That it will hold fast together through eternity long.
Yes, God's building a family, of which I'm a part,
For I've received Jesus into my heart;
And, like my Brothers and Sisters who've all done the same,
I've been born again through faith in His Name.
God's building a family; He calls it the Church,
Born again Christians who are doing His work,
Bearing life's burdens as they toil, side by side,
As the Body of Christ, to be one day His Bride.
God's building a family of those who've been saved
By the blood of Christ Jesus, who rose from the grave;
He's building that family that is truly His own,
And one day Christ's coming to take them all Home.
Just when that will be not one of them knows,
But they're watching and waiting, for the time may be close
When the heavens resound with the trumpet call clear,
And the Church is caught up to meet the Lord in the air.
When the very last member to that family is born,
Whether at evening, noon-day, or morn,
Then the Lord will return to gather His own
And take them to live in their heavenly home.
He's preparing a mansion where each one may dwell,
How glorious 'twill be can no mortal tongue tell —
For Nazareth's carpenter is Jehovah, "I AM",
The Creator, Sustainer, the Saviour, God's Lamb.
a. franklin staples
January 9, 1995
Copyright © 1995 by A. Franklin Staples
What is God doing here on this earth?
He is building a family, through Christ, by new birth,
A family so big and with connections so strong
That it will hold fast together through eternity long.
Yes, God's building a family, of which I'm a part,
For I've received Jesus into my heart;
And, like my Brothers and Sisters who've all done the same,
I've been born again through faith in His Name.
God's building a family; He calls it the Church,
Born again Christians who are doing His work,
Bearing life's burdens as they toil, side by side,
As the Body of Christ, to be one day His Bride.
God's building a family of those who've been saved
By the blood of Christ Jesus, who rose from the grave;
He's building that family that is truly His own,
And one day Christ's coming to take them all Home.
Just when that will be not one of them knows,
But they're watching and waiting, for the time may be close
When the heavens resound with the trumpet call clear,
And the Church is caught up to meet the Lord in the air.
When the very last member to that family is born,
Whether at evening, noon-day, or morn,
Then the Lord will return to gather His own
And take them to live in their heavenly home.
He's preparing a mansion where each one may dwell,
How glorious 'twill be can no mortal tongue tell —
For Nazareth's carpenter is Jehovah, "I AM",
The Creator, Sustainer, the Saviour, God's Lamb.
a. franklin staples
January 9, 1995
Copyright © 1995 by A. Franklin Staples
Friday, March 10, 2017
There Is A Time To Just Be Still...
There is a time to just be still
And know that God is God,
A time to let Him speak to us,
Feel His presence, awed
By His glorious majesty
And by His awesome power;
To know He loves and cares for us,
Is with us every hour.
Sometimes when we come to Him
In an hour of prayer,
It may be best to silence keep,
Just know that He is there;
To meditate upon His Word,
Ponder what He's said,
Not speaking words that He might hear,
But to be silent, still, instead.
For "Be still, and know that I am God",
He has written in His Book;
And that command we ought to heed —
It bears a closer look.
Perhaps in prayer we talk too much,
Concerned with our petition,
When God would have us to be still,
To meditate and listen.
a. franklin staples
January 8, 1995
Copyright © 1995 by A. Franklin Staples
There is a time to just be still
And know that God is God,
A time to let Him speak to us,
Feel His presence, awed
By His glorious majesty
And by His awesome power;
To know He loves and cares for us,
Is with us every hour.
Sometimes when we come to Him
In an hour of prayer,
It may be best to silence keep,
Just know that He is there;
To meditate upon His Word,
Ponder what He's said,
Not speaking words that He might hear,
But to be silent, still, instead.
For "Be still, and know that I am God",
He has written in His Book;
And that command we ought to heed —
It bears a closer look.
Perhaps in prayer we talk too much,
Concerned with our petition,
When God would have us to be still,
To meditate and listen.
a. franklin staples
January 8, 1995
Copyright © 1995 by A. Franklin Staples
NEWS!
The news of the world is of famine and war,
Violence and tragedy and strife,
News of finances lost or gained,
Of disaster and loss of life;
It's news of corruption, murder and greed,
Of vice in high places and low;
Of destruction by storms, earthquakes and volcanoes,
By fire, by flood or by snow.
'Tis of car accidents, ship wrecks, plane crashes, the like,
Things that are terribly grim;
It seems that what most of us want most to hear
Is of sickness and ruin and pain.
The news media thrive on sexual perversion,
Tragedy, disaster and rape,
And reporters professional, yes, and amateur, too,
Record it all on video tape.
Even most conversation seems centered around
Money, taxation and debt;
And the talk among neighbours, more often than not,
Is of sickness and accident and death.
Even those who are Christian, or who claim to be such,
Get caught up in the very same thing,
Though the topic they should be talking about
Is the fact that they belong to the King.
For the only "Good News" in this wicked old world
Is the news of salvation through Christ,
God's own precious Son who died on the cross
That those who believe should have life.
Yes, the "news" that is borne by the servants of God
Is the "good news" of salvation from sin;
Of Jesus, God's Son, who redeemed us from loss
That we might the great victory win.
We, of all people, should be happy and glad,
For the News we have heard and believed
Is the Good News of the Saviour, Jesus the Christ,
Whom we, through faith, have received.
No cause do we have to be sad or forlorn,
Downcast or down-trodden, distressed,
For we, of all people, believers in Jesus,
Have been wonderfully, marvellously blessed.
Ah, the news of the world is the news of the devil,
That of a world that's depraved:
Good news? Yes, we have it, and have been charged to proclaim it,
That all they that hear might be saved.
a. franklin staples
December 31, 1994-January 1, 1995 Copyright © 1995 by A. Franklin Staples
The news of the world is of famine and war,
Violence and tragedy and strife,
News of finances lost or gained,
Of disaster and loss of life;
It's news of corruption, murder and greed,
Of vice in high places and low;
Of destruction by storms, earthquakes and volcanoes,
By fire, by flood or by snow.
'Tis of car accidents, ship wrecks, plane crashes, the like,
Things that are terribly grim;
It seems that what most of us want most to hear
Is of sickness and ruin and pain.
The news media thrive on sexual perversion,
Tragedy, disaster and rape,
And reporters professional, yes, and amateur, too,
Record it all on video tape.
Even most conversation seems centered around
Money, taxation and debt;
And the talk among neighbours, more often than not,
Is of sickness and accident and death.
Even those who are Christian, or who claim to be such,
Get caught up in the very same thing,
Though the topic they should be talking about
Is the fact that they belong to the King.
For the only "Good News" in this wicked old world
Is the news of salvation through Christ,
God's own precious Son who died on the cross
That those who believe should have life.
Yes, the "news" that is borne by the servants of God
Is the "good news" of salvation from sin;
Of Jesus, God's Son, who redeemed us from loss
That we might the great victory win.
We, of all people, should be happy and glad,
For the News we have heard and believed
Is the Good News of the Saviour, Jesus the Christ,
Whom we, through faith, have received.
No cause do we have to be sad or forlorn,
Downcast or down-trodden, distressed,
For we, of all people, believers in Jesus,
Have been wonderfully, marvellously blessed.
Ah, the news of the world is the news of the devil,
That of a world that's depraved:
Good news? Yes, we have it, and have been charged to proclaim it,
That all they that hear might be saved.
a. franklin staples
December 31, 1994-January 1, 1995 Copyright © 1995 by A. Franklin Staples
Thursday, March 9, 2017
I'M NOT SURE THE LORD IS PLEASED WITH US
I'm not sure the Lord is pleased with us
Who say we love Him so,
Who claim to follow in the Way
That He would have us go,
But don't agree on some small point
And go our separate ways
To build yet another church,
Often just across the way.
No, I'm not so sure He's pleased with us
In our own self-righteousness,
When we ignore His clear commands
And expect Him still to bless;
We get more concerned with having
Our own place in which to meet
When there's another Christian meeting house
Just across the street.
We all claim to be God's children,
Saved through Jesus' blood,
But we disagree on God's own Word
And the way it's understood.
We claim to believe it, every word,
Without doubt or reservation,
But we can't agree completely, now,
On the right interpretation.
So I'm not so sure God's pleased with us
Who claim to do His work,
Who should be lights in this dark world
And salt to this old earth;
It's something to consider, brother!
What's the message that we preach
When two "Christian" congregations meet at once
On opposite sides of the street?
a. franklin staples
December 28, 1994
Copyright © 1994 by A. Franklin Staples
I'm not sure the Lord is pleased with us
Who say we love Him so,
Who claim to follow in the Way
That He would have us go,
But don't agree on some small point
And go our separate ways
To build yet another church,
Often just across the way.
No, I'm not so sure He's pleased with us
In our own self-righteousness,
When we ignore His clear commands
And expect Him still to bless;
We get more concerned with having
Our own place in which to meet
When there's another Christian meeting house
Just across the street.
We all claim to be God's children,
Saved through Jesus' blood,
But we disagree on God's own Word
And the way it's understood.
We claim to believe it, every word,
Without doubt or reservation,
But we can't agree completely, now,
On the right interpretation.
So I'm not so sure God's pleased with us
Who claim to do His work,
Who should be lights in this dark world
And salt to this old earth;
It's something to consider, brother!
What's the message that we preach
When two "Christian" congregations meet at once
On opposite sides of the street?
a. franklin staples
December 28, 1994
Copyright © 1994 by A. Franklin Staples
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
There’s No Change...
There’s no change that I can bring about
In this poor life of mine.
The power to change my life, dear Lord,
Is Thine and only Thine.
Only Thou canst cleanse my sin
And wash away each stain;
Only Thou canst send the Light
And make the dark way plain.
Only Thou, through Jesus’ blood,
Can make me clean and pure;
For only by His righteousness
Is my way to heaven secured.
No, there’s no change that I can bring about,
I’ve no righteousness of my own —
The power to change my wretched life
Is Thine and Thine alone.
a. franklin staples
September 21, 1997
© 1997 by A. Franklin Staples
There’s no change that I can bring about
In this poor life of mine.
The power to change my life, dear Lord,
Is Thine and only Thine.
Only Thou canst cleanse my sin
And wash away each stain;
Only Thou canst send the Light
And make the dark way plain.
Only Thou, through Jesus’ blood,
Can make me clean and pure;
For only by His righteousness
Is my way to heaven secured.
No, there’s no change that I can bring about,
I’ve no righteousness of my own —
The power to change my wretched life
Is Thine and Thine alone.
a. franklin staples
September 21, 1997
© 1997 by A. Franklin Staples
Monday, March 6, 2017
Lord, You promised to supply our daily needs
And that is all I ask,
And for strength to follow where He leads
That I might perform the task.
WHAT KIND OF FRUIT?
What kind of fruit will the seed you sow bear?
Will the fruit of the Spirit be evident there?
Is the seed of Christ’s gospel the message you share?
Be true to that message, if His Name you wear.
Do you consider God’s will in all that you do?
Do you strive every moment to His Word to be true?
Do you have His commandments always in view?
REMEMBER! In doing God’s will, Christ died for you.
In the way straight and narrow each day do you trod,
Toward the gate that is narrow,.not the one that is broad?
Are you walking the Way that leads straight to God?
With the gospel of Peace are your feet surely shod?
Do you shun the broad way that leads straight into Hell?
Are you willing and eager Christ’s story to tell?
Do you know deep within that with your soul it is well?
Is your greatest desire with Jesus to dwell?
If you’ve answered “Yes” to these questions I’ve posed,
Then your faith is well grounded, not just supposed,
But if your answer to some or all has been “No!”,
You had better repent before the Straight Gate is closed!
a. franklin staples
August 17, 1990
Copyright © 1990 by A. Franklin Staples
And that is all I ask,
And for strength to follow where He leads
That I might perform the task.
WHAT KIND OF FRUIT?
What kind of fruit will the seed you sow bear?
Will the fruit of the Spirit be evident there?
Is the seed of Christ’s gospel the message you share?
Be true to that message, if His Name you wear.
Do you consider God’s will in all that you do?
Do you strive every moment to His Word to be true?
Do you have His commandments always in view?
REMEMBER! In doing God’s will, Christ died for you.
In the way straight and narrow each day do you trod,
Toward the gate that is narrow,.not the one that is broad?
Are you walking the Way that leads straight to God?
With the gospel of Peace are your feet surely shod?
Do you shun the broad way that leads straight into Hell?
Are you willing and eager Christ’s story to tell?
Do you know deep within that with your soul it is well?
Is your greatest desire with Jesus to dwell?
If you’ve answered “Yes” to these questions I’ve posed,
Then your faith is well grounded, not just supposed,
But if your answer to some or all has been “No!”,
You had better repent before the Straight Gate is closed!
a. franklin staples
August 17, 1990
Copyright © 1990 by A. Franklin Staples
SOMEDAY WE’LL BE WITH HIM
Someday we’ll be with Him over on that fair shore
And partake of the blessings that He has in store;
To dwell with Him there in that home evermore;
To worship and praise Him and ever adore.
In that Home over yonder we will all be so glad;
No more long faces, for one will be sad,
And we willl never remember any troubles we’ve had.
No one will ever mention, or even think, the word “bad”.
In that land of pure bliss where life never will end
We wll serve the Lord Jesus. Our Saviour and Friend.
To His will and commandments we will ever attend,
Always doing His bidding, go wherever He’ll send.
Over there we will know even as now we are known,
In that Home He’s preparing for each of His own,
And we wll never, no, never here a sigh or a moan
As we worship King Jesus around His glorious throne.
We will be clad in white raiment; on our heads will be crowns,
And at Jesus’ dear feet we will gladly cast down
Those crowns He will give us, as we gather around
To thank Him and praise Him. What great joy will abound!
The whole of creation we will forever explore,
Never reaching an end, for there will always be more.
We will really find out then what God has in store
For this man He created and Christ died to restore.
a. franklin staples
August 11, 1990
Copyright © 1990 by A. Franklin Staples
Someday we’ll be with Him over on that fair shore
And partake of the blessings that He has in store;
To dwell with Him there in that home evermore;
To worship and praise Him and ever adore.
In that Home over yonder we will all be so glad;
No more long faces, for one will be sad,
And we willl never remember any troubles we’ve had.
No one will ever mention, or even think, the word “bad”.
In that land of pure bliss where life never will end
We wll serve the Lord Jesus. Our Saviour and Friend.
To His will and commandments we will ever attend,
Always doing His bidding, go wherever He’ll send.
Over there we will know even as now we are known,
In that Home He’s preparing for each of His own,
And we wll never, no, never here a sigh or a moan
As we worship King Jesus around His glorious throne.
We will be clad in white raiment; on our heads will be crowns,
And at Jesus’ dear feet we will gladly cast down
Those crowns He will give us, as we gather around
To thank Him and praise Him. What great joy will abound!
The whole of creation we will forever explore,
Never reaching an end, for there will always be more.
We will really find out then what God has in store
For this man He created and Christ died to restore.
a. franklin staples
August 11, 1990
Copyright © 1990 by A. Franklin Staples
Saturday, March 4, 2017
THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT
What should we say about spiritual gifts?
Are they only those written there
On the pages of letters written of old?
Are they those for all time, everywhere?
Do we limit the blessed Holy Ghost to just those
That He gave to the new infant Church?
Don't forget that the God-head is not bound by time,
And that gifts are to help in God's work.
Some of those first gifts are no longer needed,
And are therefore no longer given.
The gifts of the Spirit are those that He chooses
To give to those whom the Lord has forgiven.
Don't be too worried about discovering your gift,
For it may not be specifically labelled
In the Book's list of gifts to the early church.
The Spirit knows whereof your are able.
If you've found a place of service for God,
If you're doing what needs to be done,
Then the Spirit has given you a gift for God's service.
Give the glory to God through His Son.
a. franklin staples
April 17, 1994
Copyright © 1994 by A. Franklin Staples
What should we say about spiritual gifts?
Are they only those written there
On the pages of letters written of old?
Are they those for all time, everywhere?
Do we limit the blessed Holy Ghost to just those
That He gave to the new infant Church?
Don't forget that the God-head is not bound by time,
And that gifts are to help in God's work.
Some of those first gifts are no longer needed,
And are therefore no longer given.
The gifts of the Spirit are those that He chooses
To give to those whom the Lord has forgiven.
Don't be too worried about discovering your gift,
For it may not be specifically labelled
In the Book's list of gifts to the early church.
The Spirit knows whereof your are able.
If you've found a place of service for God,
If you're doing what needs to be done,
Then the Spirit has given you a gift for God's service.
Give the glory to God through His Son.
a. franklin staples
April 17, 1994
Copyright © 1994 by A. Franklin Staples
THE MESSAGE, NOT THE MAN
The message is more important, by far, than the man.
Though preaching the Word is the way that God planned
To win people to Jesus through belief on His Name,
It's not the man that's important, but the Word he proclaims.
The Word is the Lord's; 'tis to be faithfully preached.
God says that's the way that the lost will be reached.
'Tis the message that the lost soul must hear, understand;
It's the the message that counts far more than the man.
'Tis the message of God, not of man, that men need;
'Tis the gospel of Christ that the lost soul must heed.
If preaching the gospel is the way that God planned,
It's the message that counts, friend. Take your eyes off the man.
a. franklin staples
April 17, 1994
Copyright © 1994 by A. Franklin Staples
The message is more important, by far, than the man.
Though preaching the Word is the way that God planned
To win people to Jesus through belief on His Name,
It's not the man that's important, but the Word he proclaims.
The Word is the Lord's; 'tis to be faithfully preached.
God says that's the way that the lost will be reached.
'Tis the message that the lost soul must hear, understand;
It's the the message that counts far more than the man.
'Tis the message of God, not of man, that men need;
'Tis the gospel of Christ that the lost soul must heed.
If preaching the gospel is the way that God planned,
It's the message that counts, friend. Take your eyes off the man.
a. franklin staples
April 17, 1994
Copyright © 1994 by A. Franklin Staples
Wednesday, March 1, 2017
Don’t Laugh in the Face of God
Those who laugh in the face of God While they live here on this old earth
Will one day meet Him face to face And will rue the day of their birth,
For they will be standing then before the Great White Throne On the final Judgment day
And they’ll tremble and shake with awful fright For they know they will hear Him say,
“Depart, ye cursed, from before My face, To never be remembered again,
For I cast you forever into that Great Lake of Fire That was never prepared for men,
But was reserved for the devil and those of his own, The Beast and the False Prophet, too,
But you’re going there because you’ve rejected the One Who died on the cross for you.”
And not one person there will dare utter a word, For in this Court there will be no defense,
For the One who judges is both Justice and Truth, And He knows well the hearts of all men.
So, my friend, don’t laugh in the face of God, Don’t mock and reject Jesus, God’s Son,
For in so doing you’ll be condemning yourself To that awful judgment to come,
And you’ll spend an endless existence in torment and pain, In hopelessness and awful despair,
And you’ll know full well that only you are to blame, That your own stubborn will put you there.
a. franklin staples
© Copyright 2002 by A. Franklin Staples
Those who laugh in the face of God While they live here on this old earth
Will one day meet Him face to face And will rue the day of their birth,
For they will be standing then before the Great White Throne On the final Judgment day
And they’ll tremble and shake with awful fright For they know they will hear Him say,
“Depart, ye cursed, from before My face, To never be remembered again,
For I cast you forever into that Great Lake of Fire That was never prepared for men,
But was reserved for the devil and those of his own, The Beast and the False Prophet, too,
But you’re going there because you’ve rejected the One Who died on the cross for you.”
And not one person there will dare utter a word, For in this Court there will be no defense,
For the One who judges is both Justice and Truth, And He knows well the hearts of all men.
So, my friend, don’t laugh in the face of God, Don’t mock and reject Jesus, God’s Son,
For in so doing you’ll be condemning yourself To that awful judgment to come,
And you’ll spend an endless existence in torment and pain, In hopelessness and awful despair,
And you’ll know full well that only you are to blame, That your own stubborn will put you there.
a. franklin staples
© Copyright 2002 by A. Franklin Staples
Something to Think About...
How are things between you and the Lord?
Do you talk with Him daily?
Do you feed on His Word?
Have you committed your life to His keeping?
Are you secure in the palm of His hand?
Is Jesus your Lord, your Master, your Saviour?
Are you obedient to His call and command?
Just how are things between you and the Lord?
What’s been your response to the Good News you’ve heard
Ever since you were raised by those who believed?
Have you been to the altar His grace to receive,
Or are your concerns just about earthly things
Like houses and cars and dishes and rings?
What of eternity which you soon must face?
Will you be accorded in heaven a place?
Have you trusted in Jesus as your Saviour and Lord?
Just what will be your eternal reward?
Something to think about, that’s what it is,
For the Lord up in heaven knows those who are His.
Are you among them? Are you saved by God’s grace?
Are you walking with Jesus, living by faith?
If to these questions your answer is “Yes!”,
Then you’ve already entered God’s haven of rest;
But if “No!” is your answer, then time’s running out —
There’s not much left for you, of that there’s no doubt.
Will you choose to make Jesus your Lord, Saviour and King,
Or will you reject Him and stubbornly cling
To the lie of the devil, the god of this earth,
And leave it in death as you entered at birth,
A poor, wretched, blind sinner, unsaved and alone,
Who will one awful day stand before God’s gleaming White Throne,
And find your name blotted from the Lamb’s Book of Life,
Judged and found guilty, condemned to die twice
In the great lake of fire, far worse than in hell!
It’s something to think about—with your soul, is it well?
a. franklin staples
August 5, 2001
© Copyright 2001 by A. Franklin Staples