Our Faithful God

When we have needs, God is aware.
When we bow down, He hears our prayer.
He is so faithful and will not forget
Our heart-cry until all provision is met.

He is our Source... sufficiently able
To bring us supply when we are not stable.
He brings us answer when we "draw a blank".
For all that we have, it's Him we should thank.

We need not worry, nor ever should fret.
Our God is greater than all of our "debt".
If we will trust in His generous hand
Our gracious God will help us to stand.

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want."
Psalm 23:1 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Gladness In Him

The joy of the Lord
Brings smiles and gladness
To offset life's trials
And shield us from sadness.

His joy is our strength
Through thick and through thin,
For He gives us courage
And peace deep within.

We can rise up
From pain and despair
And conquer our challenges
By faith and prayer.

He is our sunshine
For times which are "gray".
He is our source
Of joy for each day.

"...For the joy of the Lord is your strength."
Nehemiah 8:10 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Our Healing God

God's power to heal is sovereign and sure
When man has no answer or band-aid or cure.
We should not question what God is about.
What we should question is our own misdoubt.

God is our strength when we become frail,
So fear and mistrust are to no avail.
We must stand strong in faith to believe,
And ready His blessing and health to receive.

Resting and trusting in Him will bring peace.
As we rest in Him all tension will cease.
He is the fortress in which we may hide,
A shelter and covering in which to abide.

"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength: they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
Isaiah 40:31 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Open Doors - Closed Doors

If you are sincerely working to make something happen or to achieve a goal, and you don't seem to prosper or find your niche...

Do you have the mind of the Lord, and do you know His timing? Are your labors that which He would have you do? Perhaps He would lead you in another direction.

When our plans and labors are in line with that which God sees are good for us, then He will go before us and make our way straight, redeeming our time and leading us toward higher goals. His goals may be some which, without Him, we could never reach. We may not understand His leading or timing, but to just labor endlessly without knowing His will can cause us to miss precious opportunities which He would give.

If you do not know the Lord's direction or calling for your life, pray for Him to show you. He is gracious, and He is able to help you. If you feel that you have gotten off course at some point, then pray for the Lord to show you where your point of error was. Then go back to that point of error, and ask the Lord to help you correct your direction.

God opens doors in our behalf, but just as importantly, He closes doors, and in both cases we should be grateful. Our prosperity is in His hands.

"Teach me thy ways, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, becuase of mine enemies."
Psalm 27:11 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

The Greatness Of God

How does one fathom the greatness of God?
There is no ruler or standard or rod
Which ever could measure His size or His might,
Nor grasp of His wisdom or capture His light.

Yet He bows down to care for our needs,
Seeing our labors and noting our deeds,
Tenderly caring for every detail
Of all that concerns us when we have travail.

How does one measure the size of His love,
Poured out upon us from Heaven above?
What song can we sing or offering upraise
Which ever will bring a high-enough praise?

"Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable."
Psalm 145:3 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Procrastination's Error

She said that she would call her friend
To say, "I really care",
But didn't get around to it.
Procrastination's error!

Soon that friend was with the Lord
And didn't know she cared.
Sadly, there were many thoughts
And joys they could have shared.

The tendency to "wait awhile"
Can often cause upsets.
And good intentions left undone
Are followed by regrets.

Help us, Lord, to never fail
In doing what we should.
There is much more we can do,
... If we only would.

"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men."
Colossians 3:23 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

He Heard My Prayer

God heard my prayer, and He met my need...

My need was for a new pair of shoes. This might not seem like much of a need, but I wear special shoes, and when I don't have them it causes lots of problems in my hip. The pair I was wearing broke down on the inside and was no longer good.

I didn't have money for a new pair, but in faith I called the shoe store and asked them to hold a pair in my size, telling them I would come soon to get them. This situation needed a quick answer.

The girl who answered the phone said to me, "Oh, I forgot to call you. You won a drawing."

This startled me. I said, "What drawing?"

She answered, "Don't you remember? The last time you were in you signed up for a drawing, and you won. You have a new pair of shoes waiting for you."

It took a moment for me to realize what I was hearing. My reply was, "You mean I get a free pair of shoes?"

The beauty of what had happened was really impacting me. Obviously, God was in the mix here. I still don't recall that there was a drawing, but somehow He provided these shoes for me.

God is not limited in His ability to provide for us. When we love Him and serve Him He goes before us, preparing our way, providing for all our needs, and making a safe path for us.

I am so grateful for His lovingkindness.

"The Lord is my shepherd: I shall not want."
Psalm 23:1 KJV

"The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad."
Psalm 126:3 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Flower's Song

I have waited all year long
To see this summer sun.
When it's warm then I can bloom
And really have some fun!

I can brighten someone's day
And pour my fragrance 'round.
When it's nice and warm like this
My blossoms will abound.

I will scatter seeds about
And multiply my summer fun.
I will make the most of this...
I want my job to be well-done.

After this the winter comes
When I'll yawn and say "ho-hums".
But while I have this chance to bloom
I will spread my sweet perfume!

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Restoring Lost Pieces

Sometimes we are in a situation or relationship which is impacted in an unexpected or negative way. We may not see it coming, and the force of the impact shatters or scatters order and causes confusion. Momentarily we are left with a sense of inability to make repairs or even to re-connect all the pieces of the situation. It will seem that everything has been fragmented.

When serious fragmentation happens, time and space and healing are needed. This doesn’t mean that restoration cannot happen, but it is wisdom to "withdraw", to spend some quiet time with the Lord and let him gather up all the broken or lost pieces. Sometimes we just need to rest to be able to see more clearly. As we are strengthened in Him and regain our focus, then we can approach our situation with a fresh vigor and a careful eye. He helps us "catch our breath" again, to regain our footing and to move forward confidently.

Do NOT allow discouragement or self-pity to come in. These are spoilers which will only delay matters. We don’t need to panic, for the Lord knows about all the lost and broken pieces of our lives and is able to put them all back together!. He is full of compassion and able to heal, to strengthen and comfort, to bring joy and peace. We have an awesome God, and He is always by our side to help us.

"I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me."
Psalm 13:5 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

To Our Nation's Leaders

Don't take apart what is well put together,
For "structures" well-built life's storm clouds will weather.
Boundaries written just should not be changed,
Nor laws which are proven now be re-arranged!

History has shown us a wise path to follow.
Today's new ideas are sometimes just "hollow",
Lacking in truth and shaky in stance.
We need God's wisdom to not act "on chance"!

Don't exchange strength for that which is flawed.
Let our constitution be honored and awed.
We need not change from what we have known.
God's truth is the base from which we have grown!

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord..."
Psalm 33:12 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Prayer For Healing

Lord, let Your precious healing flow.
Wash and make us white as snow.
Take our aching and our pain.
Restore us and strong health ordain.

Keep us "fixed" as days go by.
Increase our faith as we draw nigh.
Lend to us Your mighty power
To overcome in trial's hour.

For we are able by Your might
To travel through the dark of night
And rise triumphant with the morn
As we on angels' wings are borne.

"He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust..."
Psalm 91:4 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Green Pastures

When my thoughts are whirling 'round
And anxieties abound,
Your voice whispers, "Be at rest.
Don't get flustered, don't be stressed."

Deep within I feel Your peace.
Earthly weights and matters cease.
I am freed from "wear and tear"
As I'm in Your presence there.

I find treasure when I'm still.
There it is I know Your will.
You refresh my weary soul,
And by Your healing make me whole.

"He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul...."
Psalm 23:1-3 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Healthy Heart

Sometimes hearts are filled with stones...
Little weights which cause deep groans,
Pebbles there of past offense
Or pain which took up residence.

Healthy hearts will freely "pump",
But "stony" hearts will start to slump.
Don't let stones and gravel form.
Let forgiveness be the norm.

Ask the Lord to help you know
If in your heart some pebbles show.
He can heal a stone-filled heart,
His love and joy and peace impart.

"A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh."
Ezekiel 36:26 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Hidden

It is good to be hidden with God. For in that "hiding place" there is strength and development of character. Time spent there provides refreshing and learning.

When we leave that place, (to go to work or school or appointments), we are as missiles penetrating darkness. Having spent time there, we are not "average" citizens. We are instruments in God's hands.

When our time "out and about" is spent, always we should retreat back to the "hiding place" for restoration and for renewed balance.

The hiding place is the key. It makes the difference in who we are.

"Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word."
Psalm 119:114 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Light In The Darkness

(A Prophecy)

The "light" may seem to be waning in the face of darkness, but the "light" (today's church... the saints) is hidden all across the land. The darkness may think it is winning, but the light will never go out. It will surface gloriously again and again. It cannot be contained. It bursts forth in radiance and warmth, in encouragement and inspiration, in strength and in power.

Always it will stand. Always it will speak truth. Always it will be found by those who train their eyes upon Jesus.

"In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light
shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not."
John 1:4-5 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Shifting Sand

Things of the world are structured in sand,
Sometimes quite bright and glitzy and grand.
But sand in the wind of the Spirit may blow,
And that which was "pretty" is tossed to and fro.

The "world" entices and offers it's prize
But has little substance... just flimsy disguise.
Pleasure is sweet in the moment of taste
But doesn't add wisdom... a pitiful waste!

Wisdom is steady and rests as a rock.
Unlike the world, it never will mock.
Wisdom gives anchor amidst shifting sand,
A firm undergirding on which we may stand.

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed."
James 1:5-6 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

God's Riches

Man struggles and labors and works to be rich
And thinks by so doing he'll find his own "niche".
But money and riches may all flee away,
And that which he clings to his soul will betray.

True riches are found as we honor the Lord.
It is He Who will prosper and bring us reward.
We, of ourselves, cannot build a "tower".
We simply don't have the might or the power.

As we seek His "riches" He'll meet every need.
He'll pour out His blessings to help us succeed.
The blessings He gives can't be robbed away.
These are rich treasures which will not decay.

"Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
Matthew 6:20-21 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Winning Over Wastefulness

Today the Lord is speaking to me about waste. There is so much waste... of time, of talents, of resources, of giftings, of opportunities for service, for friendship (including family members), for spiritual prosperity.

What are some of the great wasters? Lack of focus, lack of organization, distractions, procrastination, laziness, pride, anger, greed, busyness, selfishness, wrong goals.

If we could use all of the wealth our loving God provides for us to the maximum, most of us would be living very different lives. Good change would come, and people would be working together, bonded with purpose. Our dollars would stretch further, our lives would be healed, our children would be happier... the possibilities are exciting to think about, and very much worth pursuing. Today is a good day to start. One small step in this direction can lead to another and become a very worthwhile adventure. The possibilities are endless.

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

His Healing Power

Without Jesus Christ our bodies are frail.
The burdens we carry will cause us to ail.
He gives us "structure" whereby we stand tall.
His strength within us is as a strong wall.

Our burdens are light, our worries are less.
Having His peace will cancel out stress.
In Him is health for body and soul,
Refreshing and rest from life's daily toll.

He lifts us up when we cannot walk.
He gives us words when too tired to talk.
His strength in us becomes as a tower.
Though we be weak, we have strength for each hour.

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him."
Psalm 28:7 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

The Wind Of The Spirit

When the wind of the Spirit blows hard in a life
To remove cumulation of rubble and strife,
Uncovering gold and cleansing within,
Preparing that life a new work to begin...

There is a point of not looking back
But moving ahead on a positive "tack",
Of walking in faith toward a God-given goal,
Trusting in Him to be in control.

By His able hand we reach a high place
As we are submitted and walking in grace.
How high the goal!? How high the sky?
That our God is able we cannot deny.

Only in Him can we fulfill our call,
Climbing our mountains, however tall,
Learning each day just how we should live,
Walking sure-footed each path He would give.

"It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places."
Psalm 18:32-33 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkoppf