mercy

I have seen the Lord and I’m undone
as I fall before the throne
overwhelmed not in fear or dread
but for the mercy I’ve been shown
I’m amazed the sovereign holy Judge
would love a wretch like me
and in my placed condemned
would send His Son to Calvary.

How could he love me so?
I’ll never understand such grace
displayed to one like me
I’ll forever be amazed.
at such mercy undeserved
such favor He bestows
in kindness He granted me life
this wretched sinner He chose.

psalm 139

You search me. You know me. You know when I rise
or when I sit down. My ways I can’t hide
from You, God. You see everything that I do
and each place I go and each thought I subdue.

You protect me and keep me – such wonderful news!
I can’t run from your presence, You know all I do.
This truth gives me comfort and quiets my heart
For I know through each test You will never depart.

Through the valleys of darkness, my God, You are there
In the depths of the sea or the heights of the air
You will lead me, and guide me. Your love holds me fast
your protection o’er all my days is unsurpassed.

Your hand created me, formed me and gave to me life
Now you keep me, protect me and guard me from strife
Your thoughts are so wonderful – vast like the sea
I’m amazed the Almighty knows and cares about me!

God of Justice, defend me – avenge your holy name
guard me from the wicked. Keep your glory as my aim
Please search me, and know me, purify me I pray
Lead me in your paths, lest I go astray.

redeemed

Close your eyes and sleep tonight

And dream some peaceful dreams.

For while you rest in slumber blessed

My love bursts at the seams.

For God has moved, His Spirit proved

The thoughts with which I fight

Are but a temporary rut

And last but for the night.

The pain I felt, with which I dealt,

(And which I struggle still)

Is only slight when viewed in light–

No mountain, but a hill.

For souls have changed, hearts rearranged,

And sins are in the past.

When at the tree of Calvary

One cries out “free at last.”

The hurt I feel I must appeal

To Jesus and his blood.

For under grace I’m free to face

Emotions like a flood.

The scars will heal, and here’s the deal:

It’s worth it in the end.

As more I learn, I start to yearn

To love you more, my friend.

I see the sin committed then

Through angry, jealous eyes,

But also through another view

Which now I realize.

It breaks my heart to even start

To think about the pain

You carry from the sin you’ve done

When seeking worldly gain.

But as I grow, I truly know

That what was hopeless seemed

Is now reborn this blessed morn.

Through Him you are redeemed!

written by Ted Riley 12/14/09

sufficient

The Bible is full of treasures untold
it gives light to the paths that are dark
and guidance to the steps we’re to take
it’s the transcript of God’s heart.

Offering prudence to the simple,
knowledge and guidance to the young
When we lack understanding, we know
it will guide our steps and our tongues.

It keeps us safe through treacherous paths
like a compass on life’s stormy seas
it gives knowledge and insight for all that we need
both now and for eternity.

When comfort is nowhere to be found
The Bible consoles the heart
when friends don’t know the right words to say
the truths of God’s word won’t depart.

If we seek God with all of our hearts,
He guides our steps from sin
When we confess His precepts are true
we rejoice at the grace we’ve been giv’n.

The Bible gives clarity to all that we see
and counsels our hearts every day.
when our souls are weary with sorrow and cares
His words of comfort take all fears away.

The fear of the Lord is where knowledge starts
don’t despise the wisdom of God
sometimes it comes through great blessing
and sometimes through a discipline’s rod.

Hebrews 11

Assured of what we cannot see, convinced, we hold it fast.
Faith is the way we understand the things our mind can’t grasp.

We understand the world was made by God, though we weren’t there
and that He formed all that we see from just His words and air.

By faith, Abel gave to God a sacrifice deemed right.
Though Cain gave gifts as well to God, his pride became his plight.

Enoch, by faith lived for his God and never did he die
but was taken up in a chariot to meet God in the sky.

Without faith, it’s not possible to bring true praise to God
for you must believe that He rewards those whom He calls His sons.

Noah, had faith, that God would do, the things he could not see
and through a boat of gopher wood, his family was redeemed.

By Faith, our father Abraham, followed to a new land
trusting the God of sovereign grace to make known His plan.

He followed through the wilderness, into a foreign place
trusting the inheritance that was promised to His race.

Sarah knew, though she was old, that she’d receive a son
and though impossible, it came to pass that Isaac was the one.

So from this man, and from his wife, a nation then was born
and from it came our Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord.

By faith, they died, still trusting that they would receive from Him
the things He said, though their sight to see was very dim.

Pilgrims they were, seeking a place where they would be with God
knowing this was not their place, though its where their feet must trod.

When tested, Abraham, though in His hand he held a large, sharp knife,
trusted in the holy One who could bring his son back to life.

Then Isaac, through his lineage, brought many blessings too
though Esau gave his blessing up for just a pot of stew.

Moses’ parents kept him safe; in God they kept their faith.
For three months, he was hidden, of the king they weren’t afraid.

He grew up and rejected to be called a son of the king,
He knew his inheritance was sure, but not thought Pharaoh’s ring.

He gave up pleasure and a life of sin, so that he would be pure
and pleasing to God, knowing through Him, great treasure was in store.

He led the people, far away, from Egypt’s slavery
though in the wilderness, their trust faltered, for they did not feel free.

They wandered and they grumbled, and they forgot His ways
the mighty works that He had done, His evidences of grace.

When they were faithless, God remained to them the Faithful One
and promised a Redeemer, who would one day for sure come.

At Jericho, faith reigned supreme, as walls to rubble fell,
as once again, God proved His strength, to those who knew it well.

Even Rahab, through her faith, saw God do mighty things
despite her past, she trusted God, and by it was redeemed.

There’s not sufficient time to tell, of all who had great faith.
Like Gideon, Barak, David and Samuel, of God they weren’t ashamed.

Strength out of weakness, praise in death, rejoicing through much pain,
Mocking and flogging and stoning and death, because Christ was their gain.

Afflicted and destitute were they , rejected by this world
but better far is what’s to come, through Jesus Christ the Lord.

Ezekiel 16

Abandoned straight from birth you were
Left alone to die
Hated and rejected no one
Listened your cries.
Your heritage and lineage is
From the unredeemed.
No one had compassion; you were
Helpless and unclean.

Then I passed by and saw you there
Writhing in your blood
No one washed or cared for you
Or dared your soul to love.
But my soul had compassion;
Wanted not to see you die
“Live” I said, “grow and be
I’ll make you now, child, mine.”

I made you flourish like a tree
You grew up proud and strong
But naked still you were, and had
No place where you belonged.
When I passed by again and saw,
I came and covered up
Your nakedness, and then declared
A covenant of love.

I bathed you, made you clean, and then
I covered up your shame;
Gave robes of silk and linen, and
Beauty became your fame.
You grew as royalty although
From birth you were so poor.
Favor was bestowed on you
Through God, your redeeming Lord.

But you trusted in your beauty and you
Chose to be a whore.
Though everything to you I gave
Your heart desired more.
You took the good gifts that I gave
Made idols out of them.
I fed you, but you hungered still
For approval and love from men.

Did you forget, my child, I found you
Wallowing in blood?
Did you forget your nakedness?
Did you forget my love?
In spite of all I’ve done, you left;
Rejected all my care
For that of men. My child, you must
Listen and beware.

This path you’re on will bring your death.
Destruction’s sure to come.
Woe to you, for you chose to turn
From the Redeeming One.
Through sin, you’ll find no joy or life
Your heart will always long
For more. It can’t be satisfied
Apart form Me, your God.

How sick your heart, your ways despised
For all that you’ve done wrong.
You’ve turned to lovers for payment
And rejected your true Lover’s song.
So, prostitute, now listen:
Your nakedness will be known.
Rejected by all you’ve chosen to love
You’ll find yourself alone.

I’ll judge you as the whore you are
And it will be severe.
My wrath and jealousy will come
And you’ll learn Me to fear.
Remember your heritage?  It’s what you’ve become.
You’re living as the unredeemed;
Forgotten that I am He who gave you life;
Forgotten my love, so it seems.

My child, please listen, and turn from your ways
Repent of the deeds you have done.
Forget not my mercy, forget not my grace,
Forget not the covenant of love.
See your actions for what they truly are
Injustice against the Holy God
Look to me, remember the great things I’ve done
Find merciful grace from my rod.

Do not forget, my child, I found you
Wallowing in blood.
Do not forget your nakedness.
Do not forget my love.
In spite of all you’ve done, I came,
Pursued you with my grace.
So, return to me, your Redeemer God
Return to your Lover’s embrace.

“shun”

God of creation
My hope and foundation
through the gift of salvation
I’m free from damnation

Not bound by temptation
or tied in probation
freed from my vocation
of sin’s concentration.

Tied through blood relation
No more condemnation
As one – cooperation
in unified dedication.

Life of communication
with Christ as my foundation
from sin, a disorientation
life has reinterpretation.

I live in admiration
a life of celebration
as I learn imitation
and follow Jesus, the culmination.

So, heed the invitation
see the Christ of fascination
In Heaven, with preparation
for His redeemed population.

In all life’s situation
He’s bringing transformation
cease procrastination
accept the glorious revelation.

Grow in appreciation
flee sin’s association
for your soul’s glorification
live a glorious presentation.

Practice sin annihilation
live in close cooperation
with others of the heavenly nation
and grow in edification.

Life is education
of culminating escalation
and glorious exaltation
with eternal exploration.

Oh what a sensation
of joy and elation
with Christ in relation –
sweet emancipation.

With great determination
My soul in gratification
lives with the realization
that You my soul won’t shun.

the joy of the Lord is my strength

When I see the fury of the law which I cannot appease
I’m tempted to fear and feel my soul doubting in unbelief
but at that point the righteous Judge looks to me and says
don’t be afraid, for in My strength, you’ll find sweet joy and rest.

The joy of the Lord has become my strength
in place of judgment and fear
I rejoice in the goodness He’s given to me
His presence is ever near.

The law has shown my unworthiness
Yet I stand here without shame
at the throne of merciful grace without end
I’m forgiven through Jesus’ name.

My advocate, He, before the Judge
declares my soul redeemed
He purifies me, and washes me clean
and lovingly calls me His friend.

This truth brings me joy when I start to despair: He’s faithfully working in me
I cling to the promise that He will complete the work that began on that tree.
I thank the Father for giving His Son to declare my soul to be clean
His strength is my joy, for through it I know that I my soul has been redeemed.

Psalm 40

I’m thankful for the blessings
that You’ve given, Lord, to me.
Your sovereign grace beckoned and
from bondage I’ve been set free.

You set my feet upon a Rock
and made my steps secure
Once stumbling, alone, and wandering
your guidance now is sure.

You put a new song in my mouth
I love to bring You praise.
that You would save a wretch like me –
my soul remains amazed.

A sacrifice of gratefulness,
is what I bring with joy
Not offerings and works, but rather
praise and thanks is what I now employ.

There are many wonders You have done
too many far to tell
But this I know – that You are good.
my soul knows that very well.

“i love you”

Your words are inspiring and that’s not a trite saying,

Although rhymes seem to be the game that we’re playing.

I feel moved to create some lyrical confection

To express to you, love, my deepest affection.

I could prattle and babble about your design

But meaningless words are a waste of your time

So I’ll keep my prose neat, and my thoughts quite succinct

In an effort to show you, my dear, what I think

About all of your qualities that I hold so dear,

That cause me to smile whenever you’re near.

I could list all your traits in a singular row,

Though words don’t convey, as I’m sure that you know,

All the depth of my feelings and the breadth of my heart,

So I’ll scrap such a list– I won’t even start

Lest you think that my feelings can be so contained

And my deepest desire can be thus explained.

Suffice it to say, though the words may seem cluttered,

You encompass the dreams and the prayers I have uttered.

I hope that you realize these words are all true

When I pour out my heart with a simple “I LOVE YOU”!

written by Ted Riley on 11/10/09.