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Encouraging Words from Maynard H. Belt

First Christian Church

Category: Poems From My Preaching

Daily Light

A little bit of “Daily Light”
Makes the pathway clear,
A little of His Word each day,
Helps remove the fear.

I’m thankful for His “Daily Light”
Which brings such peace of mind,
It never ceases to encourage me
As great treasures therein I find.

This “Daily Light” will guide me
While through this life I go,
T’will be my constant companion
Daily restoring my soul.

–MHB

My Bible

I give thanks for my Bible,
The precious Word of God.
It saves and keeps and satisfies
Along the path I trod.

This Book has been my Companion,
Oh, the times it has comforted me.
It has encouraged my heart,
And made me glad,
And from sin has set me free.

Of all the books that I have read,
My Bible alone stands tall,
Though books I’ll have until I die,
This Book excels them all.

So I’ll take my Bible where’re I go,
It will be my constant Guide,
When friends forsake me,
And life’s hopes fail me,
In this Book I will confide.

–M.H. Belt

Before I Read The Word of God

Before I read the Word of God
There are some things I ask–
I pray for His enlightenment,
That I may in His wisdom bask.

I also ask for His direction
To keep me in His will–
For I know I’m prone to wander
And rush rather than be still.

Next I seek a commandment,
God’s personal word to me–
A challenge or a conviction
To flee from sin and holy be.

Then I ask for encouragement
For sometimes the journey’s tough–
His Word does tame my many fears
It reminds me His grace is enough.

And always I give God thanks
For the enjoyment that I receive–
From reading all His love notes
Which led me to believe.

–MHB

“Thy words were found, and I did eat them: and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart.” Jeremiah 15:16

Faith Always Leaves a Trail of Progress

(Rom. 4:12; Heb. 11:6)

Faith always leaves a trail of progress
No matter where it goes,
It delights in doing the impossible,
Despite what threats oppose.

Thank God for men like Abraham,
Who quickly answered His call.
Willing to give the darling of his heart-
What a testimony to us all.

Where are faith’s trail blazers today?
Have we forgotten how to trust?
May we be willing to walk by faith,
For Jesus’s sake – we must!

–MHB

Living In God’s Presence

Philippians 4:1-19

The Lord is at hand, we must be careful,
Give thanks, rejoice and pray.
For His presence requires our steadfastness,
His Word we must always obey.

In everything by prayer and supplication
Our requests are to be known to God,
His peace which passes all understanding
Will be ours on the path we trod.

We are to think on things true and honest,
Those things which are lovely, just and pure.
Things of good report and virtuous
This is what makes us mature.

Contentedness is learning to live
In whatsoever state we are in.
Accepting God’s will with rejoicing
Recognizing it is Christ who strengthens.

God has promised to supply our needs
According to His riches in Christ.
There is never a need to worry
He will provide until we reach paradise.

–MHB

Ministers Are Earthen Vessels

2 Corinthians 3-4

Spiritual treasures in earthen vessels
God’s plan to spread His Word,
Able ministers with plainness of speech
Proclaiming Christ to those who haven’t heard.

His mercy we have for this ministry
So that we faint not in the task.
Our sufficiency is all of God
If only we pray and ask.

Our message is Christ Jesus the Lord,
Ourselves we do not preach.
We are but servants for Jesus’ sake,
So that others we might reach.

To proclaim God’s glory to others
Is to reveal His character in us,
His love, His compassion, His mercy,
His truth, His holiness, and justice.

These earthen vessels may suffer,
Like Paul, hard-pressed on every side,
Perplexed, down cast and afflicted,
From morn to evening tide.

Yet not distressed, distraught or forsaken,
Nor destroyed by the works of death,
Bearing in his body the Lord Jesus,
Glorifying Him til earth’s last breath.

Spiritual treasures in earthen vessels,
Able ministers called to serve,
How blessed we are to be chosen,
An honor we do not deserve.

–MHB

What God Says About The Pastor!

The pastor is a minister, a creation of
His power,
Made to perform His bidding, to do His
work each hour.
(Ephesians 3:7)

He is a man like others, with frailties
and frights,
But is sent by God to witness of Christ
the glorious Light.
(John 1:6-8)

He is God’s gift to the church to lead them
in paths of right,
He’s to be honored and respected and
welcomed with delight.
(Ephesians 4:11)

God wants you to pray for your pastor,
to remember him before the throne,
For it is he who brings you from God’s Word
the greatest story ever known.
(Hebrews 13:7)

He’s a watcher of your souls, the truths he
teaches do employ,
For you it will be profitable
and before God bring him great joy.
(Hebrews 13:17)

Greet him when you see him, he is
God’s gift of grace,
Tell he and his family you love them,
your words will not be in waste.
(Hebrews 13:24)

Finally, remember that God says
the pastor is worthy of double due,
If he is faithful in serving and teaching,
give liberally, for this pleases our God too!
(I Timothy 5:17-18)

–MHB

Jesus and Zachaeus

Luke 19:1-10

What a day in Jericho when Jesus passed though town,
The crowds pressed to see that One who had become renown.

But there was a little fellow, Zachaeus was his name,
Too short to see the Savior, he climbed a tree and overcame.

What a shock when Jesus stopped, and saw him in that tree,
He said, “Zachaeus,” you come down for I must abide with thee.

This was the day salvation came to a man who was rich with greed.
He gladly returned four-fold to the poor, from sin he had been freed.

What a day in Jericho when Jesus passed through town,
He did the unexpected and made the religious leaders frown.

I’ll never forget that day when Jesus passed through my town,
He opened my eyes so I could see, it was He who bore my crown.

Today is Jesus passing through your town and calling you by name?
If, like Zachaeus, you trust in Him, you, too, will never be the same.

–MHB

He Is Risen – It’s All Right!

Mark 16:6: And he saith unto them, be not affrighted: ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.

I love to hear the story
How up from the grave He arose,
And the moving of the stone
Could not be explained by His foes.

I love to hear the story
How the women came that morn,
Wondering how to move the stone,
Sweet spices, His body to adorn.

I love to hear the story
How the angel all dressed in white,
Said to the trembling ladies,
He’s risen! He’s not here! It’s all right!

–MHB

The Kindness of God

Lord, thank you for your kindness,
In choosing me by grace,
For showing me your mercy
Wrapped in your holy embrace.

Your kindness has covered my sin,
Amazing though it be,
I can hardly comprehend
That you would save one such as me.

Your kindness follows me faithfully,
Reminding me of your care.
Showering me with heavenly blessings
Lightening the burdens I bear.

Lord, thank you for your kindness,
Which aids me in the race,
May I receive it with humble spirit
Til I meet you face to face.

–MHB