The New Day’s Resolution

The last day of January!

How the month has flown!

Like the children born yesterday,

How quickly they’ve grown!

Like yesterday we started out

With a “Happy New Year”!

Now far from being old

The month has disappeared.

The month of fresh resolve

Bids us all adieu,

The love month as we term it

Comes clearly into view.

So many things to do

And so little time it appears,

How many will we complete

By the end of the current year?

A resolution for sure

That we ought always to keep

Is to focus our eyes on Jesus

As his will we daily seek.

The likelihood of falling

Is kept constantly at bay

When we keep our eyes on Jesus

And walk in his way.

Such a resolve is renewed

Not at the beginning of the year

But each and every day

As each dawn appears.

Father, thank you for your daily care

I reciprocate your love to me,

Help me in your way to walk

Being what you want me to be.

Such a resolve has more thrust

Than that beginning the year

Since it’s renewed on a daily base

As we breathe the new day’s air.

For with the passage of each day

Our resolve will wane

 But at the dawn of a new day

It will be re-enacted again.

In this way it is more likely

To survive the whole year,

I am referring to that resolution

Which by February disappears.

Let this be our daily resolve

To keep our eyes on Jesus,

Steadfast in commitment to him

To ever walk in his purpose.

Stewart Russell © January 

Water, the Fabric of Life

Water, a precious commodity

In the Earth that God planted,

Water, a critical life saviour

That we all often take for granted.

Our water through the rain that falls

Is as a result of the water cycle,

This water is necessary for all of life

Just like believers feed on the Holy Bible.

Let him that thirsts, the Bible says

Come to Jesus Christ and drink,

A well of water freely springing up

Refreshing all we do, say and think.

As water is in the spiritual sense

So too is water to our physical,

It is a definite daily necessity

And to do without it would be critical.

It is needed for all our plants

The staples, the greens and the fruit,

It is a must for ground provisions too,

For matured trees and tender shoots.

Sugar cane couldn’t survive without it

Nor the other grasses all around,

Rice, flour, wheat and maize

We wouldn’t even garner a pound.

Washing and cleaning would be out

Everything would be a mess,

There would be no water for drinking

So there would be no life at best.

I cannot think of an industry

In which water doesn’t play a part,

Farming, manufacturing and tourism

All need water from the start.

Even the ships and boats that sail

Be they fishing boats or tourist lines,

All need a bountiful supply of water

Whenever it is sailing time.

  

And never ever take for granted

The fact that they must sail,

For without water on which to travel

Sea transport would surely fail.

“Ah, but I could fly by aeroplane

On a comfortable cushion of air,

Surely water won’t be needed

During the time I spend up there.”

Please, Sir, disabuse your mind

Of such a crazy thought,

Engines need water to keep them cool

Without water would be danger bought.

We can think of hydroelectric plants

Which need volumes of water to function,

Without water how would they work?

Clearly there would be no conversion.

Soap is a necessity when cleaning

But without water it’s a waste

For water is needed before its application

And afterwards in every case.

It is necessary when we are using water

That we do so with ultimate care,

Appreciative of those who have little

When we have in abundance and to spare.

Turn off the shower while lathering

To keep wastage at a minimum

And when soaping the dishes in the sink

Do not allow the water to run.

Using the hose during the dry time

Is against standard common sense,

Remember water wasted at anytime

Can hardly ever be recompensed.

Waste not want not is a pertinent maxim

Regarding the water we use,

Today’s waste will be tomorrow’s need

Therefore let’s stop the water abuse.

Stewart Russell © 2017

In Search of Wisdom

 

 

I went in search of wisdom

Having found there was a need,

Folly had raised its ugly head

Folly had become a creed.

I looked for it in the schools

And a little there I found

But often that was tainted

And sometimes not too sound.

I looked for it at teacher’s college

Certain I would find it there

But there I found a mixture

That didn’t quite relieve my fear.

I sought for it in many books

Both secular and non-secular

But therein were varied opinions

And genuine wisdom barred.

These authors had achieved a lot

And were particularly bright

But seemingly did not know

To wisdom no man has a right.

 

Of course I must differentiate

Between man’s wisdom and God’s

For often what we see on show

Is of Satan who is the fraud.

Such wisdom is really folly

That’s truly in the heart of man

And the path it offers to us

Is contrary to God’s plan.

I tried to find it in the church

Within the comfort of its walls

But church after church I searched

And could not find wisdom at all.

Before you attack my jugular

I’ll explain what I mean by church

I mean the edifice some worship

The saved need not be hurt.

Organization and organism

Are not one and the same,

If your church is the organization

You are likely to feel that pain.

 

 

Wisdom is not found in a building

Be it a church or even a school,

Neither universities nor colleges

Have a claim to this tool.

For a tool in deed it can be

But more important is its source,

If you oppose the Bible

Then you are on the wrong course.

You must have heard of Solomon

About Ecclesiastes and Proverbs

Therein is much about wisdom

You’ll find it in God’s word.

It’s called the principle thing

In Proverbs 4 and verse 7

For wisdom is better than rubies

Look up Proverbs 8 and verse 11.

Flying high you won’t have it

For with the lowly there is wisdom

Read Proverbs 11 and verse 2

Now I’ve spoiled your fun.

Cease from your own wisdom

Counsels Proverbs 23 verse 4

Buy the truth and sell it not

Read verse 23 to see some more.

 

Search the Word of God

And there you will find His wisdom,

Get wisdom and get understanding

It’s available in God’s Son.

Christ is made unto us wisdom

As in 1^st Corinthians 1 verse 30

And to reject his loving offer

Is to display stupendous folly.

I’m no longer in search of wisdom

Since wisdom has rescued me,

Lost I was and in danger

Of eternal misery.

But the Spirit of wisdom found me

For he knew just where to search,

I no longer look for wisdom

I have found it in Christ’s church.

Wisdom indwells the faithful

And directs all who believe,

You must be born again

And this wisdom you will receive.

Are you tired searching for wisdom?

Have you almost given up?

Now, please turn to Jesus

And let him fill your cup.

Stewart Russell © January 2018