If God had waited when He’d been wronged,
When His creation was altered from the way it belonged,
We wouldn’t have seen Him immediately begin
To set forth His plan to atone for man’s sin.
In our terms, it “hurt” that man disobeyed,
Ruining the perfection that He had made.
But stubborn resentment is not recorded–
No, provision and care were quickly afforded.
For their sin He would send them a righteous Savior
To gain back for them unmerited favor.
And until the promise of that was fulfilled,
He cared for mankind so that trust would be instilled.
Taking offense isn’t what we should do,
But returning with love is tried and true.
So why do you now in your life wait so long
For an apology for what you feel has been wrong
That another may have done to you–
Just forgive and forget right away and start new.
Or perhaps it’s you who should apologize;
Remember, waiting breaks fellowship and is really unwise.
Jesus said, “Whenever you stand praying, forgive.”
You’ll find that it’s freeing and the best way to live.

P. A. Oltrogge

“And Jesus answered saying to them, ‘Have faith in God. Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it shall be granted him. Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they shall be granted you. And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your transgressions. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions.'”

Mark 11:22-26

There are things in this world that may grab your attention,
But give greater thought to what Jesus did mention–
That life more abundant can be yours every day;
And that will increase if you take time to pray.
Give it your heart and give it your all–
Remember that, for you, there’s no greater call.
The things of this world–its gadgets and inventions,
Can never compete with all of God’s intentions,
Which are wrought by you through prayers effective and fervent,
Impacting lives–through prayer, you’re His servant.

P. A. Oltrogge

“Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.”

James 5:16-18 (New King James)

First Easter by Pauline Voorhees Eikenberry

Jesus Christ of Nazareth had taken His destined place
On a cruel cross upon a hill–for the task He’d been born to face.
His sinless life had made Him the chosen Lamb of God–
Though now He sits at God’s right hand and bears a Shepherd’s rod.
Three days after Christ’s burial, and just at the brink of dawn,
Some, in love, had come to the tomb and had found that His body was gone.
But the pain of their grief concerning His death had then given way
To amazing angelic tidings on that glorious Resurrection day!
Jesus, the Man on the center cross, on the hill of crucifixion had been
The focus of God’s judgement upon all of mankind’s sin.
But now, with joy, the angels reminded that just as He had said,
Jesus, God’s Son, had risen in victory, up from the dead!
His Father’s gracious plan of redemption for all people had been met;
And, therefore, all of their sins, a holy God could now forget!
There’s just one requirement remaining; and it’s your choice–
To believe in your heart He’s Savior, and confess it with your voice.
Angels rejoice in heaven over one sinner who’ll repent,
And put their faith in Jesus Christ–the One Whom God has sent.

P. A. Oltrogge

“…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus….”  Romans 3:23-24

“For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”  Romans 10:10

“In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”  Luke 15:10 (NASB)

“For He says: ‘In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.’ Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”  2 Corinthians 6:2

“Therefore, I will divide Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong, because He poured out His soul unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors, and He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”
Isaiah 53:12

Scriptures:  NKJV or as noted

Resurrection references: Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20

Christ and the Rich Young Ruler by Pauline Voorhees Eikenberry

A rich young ruler, with eternal concerns, made a mental list–
Then sought out Christ to see if there was anything he’d missed.
In contemplating heaven, he hoped he’d done God’s will
By following His laws, from his youth, but wondered still.

He addressed Christ as a good teacher, but didn’t realize
That Christ wasn’t just a good teacher, but God before his very eyes.
He asked the Lord what he could do to aid him on eternity’s quest,
And Jesus confirmed that to keep the commandments is best.

The young man replied he’d done that from as early as he could recall–
Then Jesus told him of his need to follow Him and surrender all.
His wealth and possessions had become too strong of a hold
And kept him from seeing the purity of God’s desires–true gold.

With sadness, the ruler left because he couldn’t see the reward.
He hadn’t yet grasped the higher life offered through Christ, the Lord.
You see, making Christ your Lord doesn’t actually cost–in fact, it pays,
With dividends of God’s blessings throughout all your days.

The greatest blessing of all is getting to know God as you should–
A loving heavenly Father whose care and plans for you are good.
Then, committing your life and resources, in faith, as He leads
Will help you to reach exactly those He knows of who have needs.

God knows that when possessions become your highest treasure,
You’ll fail to find the things that He knows are of greater measure.
Christ looks for our faith and love for Him and where our loyalty lies;
Let’s not fail to see that investment in His Kingdom is certainly wise.

P. A. Oltrogge

“Now behold, one came and said to him, ‘Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?’ So He said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But, if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.’ He said to Him, ‘Which ones?’ Jesus said, ‘You shall not murder; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; honor your father and your mother; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ The young man said to him, ‘All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.’ But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”

Matthew 19:16-22 (New King James)

I’ve come across your path today, and I may not know your name,
But though we’re not acquainted, I’d like to speak of Jesus just the same.
He knows the details of your life–anything you’re going through;
Yes, even if you don’t know Him, He knows all about you.
I’ve found Him to be a faithful God, Who I know in a personal way.
He desires to help each person intimately–all we have to do is pray.
For those who’ve put their trust in Him, guidance becomes very sure;
His will is good and perfect, coming from a heart that’s loving and pure.
If you’re facing worries, never despair–the name of Jesus is a strong tower
To run into for help and wisdom, which flow richly from that Name’s power.
And at the name of Jesus, one day, every knee will bow;
But God’s Spirit is moving every day, seeking all who will honor Him now.

P. A. Oltrogge

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe.”
Proverbs 18:10

“Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Philippians 2:9-11

So many religions speak of various ways
To address pleasing God all of your days.
Five times a day, you could be down on your knees,
With prayers to the god you hope to please.
But, really, these things are ritual merely
And can’t please Him, no matter if done so very sincerely.
But there is a way to come to God,
And it’s by looking to the road that Jesus has trod.
He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
He paved the way for you through much strife
Released upon Him as He went to the cross,
Where He suffered in pain so you wouldn’t be lost
To the God who loves you and calls to you now
To embrace His Son, Jesus, to Whom one day every knee will bow.
But only grace through faith is involved—all works are in vain.
Through Jesus’ righteousness, our salvation is made plain.
You may want to fall to your knees when you recognize all that was done
By a God who loved so greatly, He gave His only Son.

P. A. Oltrogge

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16

“Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.” John 14:6

“Therefore, also God highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him, the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.” Ephesians 2:8, 9