Comfort from the Savior

A man was hurting and was going through a difficult time in his life.
He was deeply troubled, and he felt nothing but pain and strife.
He went to a church to think and pray. His heart was full of despair;
He dried his eyes, and then he sought the Lord in prayer.
"Lord, I am at the very end of my rope, and nothing has gone right." He said;
He sighed, "My life has no meaning. I wish that I were dead!"
Then he heard what he thought was a voice speaking to him from above;
The voice was nothing that he'd heard; it was full of compassion and love.
"My child," the voice said; "be strong and know that I am with you each day.
Be comforted and know that I am never very far away."
Then Jesus stood in front of the man, dressed in dazzling white;
His hair and clothes shined like the brilliant morning light.
The man said; "Lord, you said that You'd be with me in times of sorrow and sadness."
Jesus said; "I am always with you. I shall turn your sorrow into gladness."
The man said; "Lord, nothing in my life has worked. I am no good!"
Jesus said; "Know that I work all things for your benefit, as I said I would."
The man said; "There nothing good in my life. I have only known pain and misery."
Jesus said; "Believe me, I have a plan for you.I have redeem you. You belong to me."
The man said; "My life is adrift. I don't know who I am. My life has no plan."
Jesus said; "Remember, I will be with you. I hold you in the palm of my hand."
The man said; "I believe, but help me to overcome unbelief, if You can."
Jesus said; "If I can? Believe in me, and I'll uphold you with my mighty hand."
Jesus said; "In me, you have victory, for I've overcome the devil and sin;
I shall give your life purpose, and a peace and joy that will never end."
The man was still unsure. "How do I know that You really love me?" He cried;
"This how." Jesus stretched out His arms and died.

-Michael Carter, 1985

Lord, in Your mercy

Lord God, I come to Your holy table to seek comfort for my troubled heart;
I come, O Lord, seeking the sacrament which offers the forgiveness that You impart.
Dear Lord God, I ask for Your forgiveness, and I place myself into Your care;
Lord God, in Your mercy, look down and hear my prayer.

I confess to You my Father, my sins and all that I've done and left undone;
I cling not to my merits, but only to the merits of Your dear Son.
Lord Jesus Christ; through Word and sacrament, bring me through despair;
Lord Jesus, continue to remain with me. In your mercy, hear my prayer.

Through Your Word and sacrament, give to me strength for each new day;
By Your true presence, lead and guide me along life's way.
Help me to believe and to overcome all doubt. I place myself in Your care;
Do not leave me alone. Lord, in Your tender mercy, hear my prayer.

Praise be to Christ for the blessings of the sacrament in both bread and wine;
And for the gift of faith to receive from You forgiveness, so amazing and divine.
Thanks be to the Savior for the sacrament that pulls me up from despair;
Thanks be to the Savior, in His mercy and grace, He has heard my prayer.

Christians, praise your God!

Christians, praise your God! Praise Him for He's done;
How through His own dear Son, the victory has been won.
Praise be to God for the great blessing that He gave us;
Out of great love, He sent forth His own Son to save us.

There was a time when we were crushed by the weight of sin;
It bore us down, and caused us bitter pain without end.
Then the devil came, and he daily tormented and oppressed us;
His relentless attacks, greatly tormented and distressed us.

Death the evil foe brooded over our fate, and threatened us each day;
We struggled with the flesh, and at times we fell away.
The suffering from sin and the devil was too great, and deeper we fell;
Our suffering under the power of sin made life a living hell.

The powers of sin and the devil so ruled us, and kept us in captivity;
We were bound in chains. In pain, we cried out for liberty.
Our condition was painful, and our suffering was so great;
We were burdened down, and felt as if we were carrying a heavy weight.

Our own good works could not win our freedom. They could not save;
They could not turn back the powers of sin, the devil, and the grave.
Our human nature, against God's judgments would rebel;
Because of the torment of sin, we suffered the very pangs of hell.

God saw our condition. He saw us struggling through sin's dark night;
He turned a Father's heart towards us. He was moved by our plight.
He saw that we were oppressed, and that we could not stand;
God resolved that He would set forth His saving plan.

God acted in His own time. He knew what needed to be done;
He would send forth a Savior. He would send forth His Son.
He said; "Go, joy of my heart. From sin and sorrow set them free;
Slay bitter death, so that they will live with You in eternity.

My Son, cast down the devil from his throne;
Bring them peace, so that they will praise You alone."
The Son laid aside His crown and went forth. His mission to fulfill;
He stepped forth from His royal throne, obedient to His Father's will.

The Son came to earth, and was born of virgin mother;
He took the servant's form. He came to be our brother.
He came into the world to seek and to save;
He came to overthrow the powers of sin, the devil, and the grave.

He said; " My beloved, stay close to me;
From the stain of sin, I've come to set you free.
For your sins, I shall suffer and be crucified;
Through faith in me, you will righteous and justified.

The foe will slay me, but I will rise from the dead;
He might strike my heel, but I will crush his head.
By my death and resurrection, I shall destroy the power of the grave;
I have come, your soul to both redeem and to save.

Through my innocent blood, I will make you my own;
I will redeem you, and make you mine alone.
I will abide with you always. You are mine forever.
The wicked foe will divide us, never.

Hold fast to me, for I will be your rock and mighty fortress;
I will comfort you, and bring you through times of distress.
Fear not, for I will go with you on the battlefield;
Your faith in me, will be your protection and your shield.

Be on your guard against those who would steal your hope. Resist them in Faith;
Do not fear them. I will send you my Spirit. He will keep you safe.
Be steadfast in faith. Stand on my Word, and hold your ground;
Be faithful to me to the point of death and in heaven, you'll wear a gold crown.

I will give you my Spirit to strengthen you in the race that you must run;
He will guard you. He will remind you of all that I've said and done.
In your journey, always look to me. Do not have doubt, but believe;
My peace and my blessing I give you, before I leave."

Now to Him, our Lord Jesus Christ. Our great Redeemer King;
All our thanks and praises, we joyfully now bring.
With the Father and the Spirit, we bless and adore;
Praise be to the Triune God, now and forever more.

-Michael Carter,

From the collection;"Songs of my sou1." Poems from 1983-the present."

LAUDATE DOMINUM(Praise the Lord)-Psalm 147

Praise the Lord. How good it is for our God to be praised;
We give to Him our thanks. To Him, our voices in song are raised.
He binds up the broken hearted. There is peace and healing in His wings;
He gives joy to the sorrowful. To Him, our restored souls sings.

Praise the Lord. Great is God, in whose hands are both strength and power;
Praise be to the God who blesses and watches over us every day and hour.
God will bless His people. He will not cause us to fall nor stumble;
He will sustain those who are both faithful and humble.

Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving. Make music to God long and loud;
Praise Him who over creation. He covers the sky with a cloud.
All things are under His great power and all things obey His will;
He causes the rain, and the makes the grass to grow upon every hill.

He is a great God. He shows His mercy and His goodness to all;
He is gracious. He provides to all, who upon Him call.
He showers down upon all, His rich blessings from heaven above;
God shows forth to all people, His great unfailing love.

Praise the Lord. Let all people come and rejoice and sing;
O' People, do not forget God. Praise and honor the great King.
Let the praises come to God from people from every land and nation;
Praise the Lord! Praise be given to the God of our salvation.