new creation – Page 21 – words from wick

Philippians 1:21-30

Posted on April 3, 2020 by Wick

To be so deeply loving Christ
He’s unsure which to choose
To die and be with Christ himself
Or stay alive so Christ may use

Paul wrestles briefly with this choice
(But for the readers’ sake-
As he himself is facing death
And knows their hearts would break.)

He wants every word to encourage
Whether he’s with them or apart
That they would live in ways that proclaim
And reveal their Saviors heart.

He knows that they are suffering
The same struggle that he had
And doesn’t sugar-coat the truth
Or tell them “it’s not so bad.”

He acknowledges what they endure
While drawing close together
That as they live by one spirit
No opponent can ever sever

Where God has brought salvation
By the gracious Love of Christ,
No enemy can stand against
Or charge a greater price

So stand firm, church, and know that Paul
Will do the same however he can,
And he will share in your gospel boasting
When he joins you again.

Posted on April 1, 2020 by Wick

There are some leaders
Who only want the good news.
As if their prophets had
The ability to choose.

King Zedekiah was
A very powerful man.
But he led God’s people
So far from God’s plan.

He sacrificed children
Upon altars of lies,
And God would use Babylon
To help them realize.

But God would regather
His people one day.
After an exile
They’d return to stay.

When they do return
They would be single minded,
Their hearts to Gods’
They will have binded.

God makes a covenant
To never stop doing good,
When their hearts and minds
Turn to Him as they should.

They will be firmly planted
In the land of what’s New,
Trusting in God
To guide all that they do.

(So if we’re not living
In unending good,
There’s a chance idols
Have more room than they should.)

Posted on March 31, 2020 by Wick

Why did Gehazi run ahead
When Elisha was on the way?
It seems he’d already left
When he heard the prophet say

“Don’t walk, but run and don’t distract
It’s urgent you obey,
Place my staff on the child’s face!”
And Gehazi did not delay.

And yet, he wasn’t able
To bring the child to life
Even though he obeyed full well
He could not ease their strife

Imagine as he walked away
Seeing Elisha and woman appear
Wondering if they will ask
As they both came near

He confessed, deflatedly
“The child did not wake.”
Elisha still went to his room
And prayed for the child’s’ sake.

The methods of this revival
I’ll never understand.
Warming the boy who sneezed seven times
Was somehow in God’s plan.

But as I read the story
While my own prayers over me tower,
I pray to have Gehazi obedience
With Elisha’s Holy Spirit power.