A Strong Foundation

You can’t build a house on flimsy foundation,
For it will not have a lengthy duration.
Its walls start to sag and its floors start to creak.
Its future longevity will be quite bleak.

Foundation is basic in all that we do
When we have sure footing, and wisdom pursue,
We will build well... our plans will not fail.
We won’t have setbacks which cause us to “ail”.

The tools of our “building” are found in the Word.
Instruction we find there will best undergird.
We will not falter, nor plans fall apart,
If our foundation is strong from the start.

“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.”
Matthew 7:24-25 KJV

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Being Focused

Keeping order in our thought,
When in “busyness” we’re caught,
Is not as easy as it seems.
Our minds will follow many streams.

If we focus on our goal,
Not giving lesser things control,
Distractions then will have no sway
And we will have an ordered day.

Important thoughts will not get lost.
And busyness will not have cost.
Finishing each task we start
Will then become a practiced art.

“The hand of the diligent will rule...”
Proverbs 12:24 Amplified Bible

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Holy Spirit, Come

We need a blessing from God’s hand
To bring refreshing in our land.
Many lives are caught in “drought”,
Suffering from fear and doubt.

Holy Spirit, come and rest
On those who need to be refreshed.
Let Your healing waters flow,
New life and blessing to bestow.

Let Your floodgates open up
Come and fill this empty cup,
Washing o’er our land today.
“Holy Spirit, come”, we pray.

“So too the (Holy) Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness; for we do not know what prayer to offer nor how to offer it worthily as we ought, but the Spirit Himself goes to meet our supplication and pleads in our behalf with unspeakable yearnings and groanings too deep for utterance.”
Romans 8:26 Amplified Bible

© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Joyful Reward

We sometimes sow our seed with tears.
For some we’ve prayed for years and years.
God has noted every tear
Which we have shed for someone dear.

Faithfulness to carry on,
Even when our hopes are wan,
Is highly honored by the Lord
And brings a glorious reward.

Be encouraged. Do not quit.
God will give you added grit.
Not one prayer has gone unheard.
By your faith, God’s heart is stirred.

“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him,”
Psalm 126:5-6 KJV

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Possibility In Christ

In Christ is possibility.
You’re unencumbered and set free
To reach a goal or win a race
And all His blessings to embrace.

He gives gifts and He gives skills
To mount the very highest “hills”.
In all things in Him believe.
When you trust, you will receive.

You'll find strength and you'll have grace
Every circumstance to face.
Whatever challenge comes your way
In Christ you will not go astray.

“Now in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”
Romans 8:37 KJV

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
Philippians 4:13 KJV

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Wisdom And Caution

Wisdom would urge us to weigh every plan
And each of our choices to thoroughly scan.
Excitement and fun times would lure us to come,
But if they’re not right, they’ll leave us quite numb.

Decisions made quickly without thought or prayer
Have “price tags” of which we are not aware.
We must be sure of each step we take
Lest we get entangled and make a mistake.

Maybe we feel that we are “left out”,
But should not join in if we have some doubt.
Caution is friendly... our lives it will guard...
And shows us the choices which we should discard.

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
Psalm 119:105 KJV

© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Remember His Benefits

The benefits of the Lord are many.
Remember... lest you not have any.
Think upon His loving care
And praise Him with your heartfelt prayer.

Never should we take for granted
All the blessings He has planted.
All we have is from His hand.
May we truly understand.

Worship Him with heart and voice.
For His love and grace, rejoice!
All our days in Him are blessed.
Let worship in us be expressed.

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases, who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
Psalm 103:2-5 KJV

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

An Open Line

I know to whom I want to talk
When I make a telephone call,
Then I’m offered “menu options”.
I tire of listening to them all!

If the menus weren’t so long
The call I’m making would be short.
Sometimes I will just hang up.
Menus all my patience thwart.

Then I call upon the Lord
To help me make this simple call.
He always has an open line
To hear my prayers, however small.

He will help me to be patient.
With this daily irritation.
When I hear a lengthy menu,
He brings peace for my frustration.

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Praise Rising Up

Praise rising up in the depth of my being
O’ershadows the woes which my eyes are seeing.
Praise changes me, and brings me great peace.
My heart is encouraged... in Him is release.

He is my shelter when storms tend to blow.
He makes my heart with joy to o’erflow.
As my perspective is caught up in praise
I can “see” better... He transforms my days.

“Rejoice in the Lord, O you (uncompromisingly) righteous (you upright in right standing with God): for praise is becoming and appropriate (for those who are upright (in heart).”
Psalm 33:1 Amplified Bible

© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Wisdom's Imprint

When wisdom makes its imprint
On a life or in a heart,
That life will have direction
And for good is set apart.

Wisdom makes a difference,
For it opens up our eyes
And brings us understanding
Which we then can exercise.

Wisdom is a priceless treasure...
One which we should always seek.
When its imprint is in place
The path we walk will be unique.

“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,”
James 1:5 KJV

“She (wisdom) is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.”
Proverbs 3:15-18 KJV

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Safe Course

We need the Lord to find our course,
To be our guide and be our source.
He is able to direct
And all our footsteps to perfect.

If we need to make detour
Because our pathway isn’t sure,
He will always make us ready,
Then will keep us strong and steady.

Unexpected change is hard
And can cause us to be jarred.
Our skills the Lord will reinforce
To always help us “stay” our course.

“Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.”
Psalm 91:9-11 KJV

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Great Love Story

A rose is perhaps the most loved flower.....

It rises forth out of a homely-looking wood stalk. The stalk is sometimes gnarled and may have been “wounded” or broken at some time. There may have been times of drought and seasons of severe cold..... and yet each year it bursts forth in glory and presents us with all the beauty and fragrance which can be found anywhere in a flower.

My favorite rose is a rich, velvety red and grows on long, sturdy stems. When it blooms it reminds me of all the majesty and power of our Lord Jesus. The rich velvet of the petals reminds me of His royalty. When I cut a bloom and bring it inside, it’s fragrance fills my house. This is precious, because I want Jesus’ fragrance to always fill the rooms of my home.

The rose has beautiful leaves, but it also has large thorns, and I am reminded of the thorns Christ wore in my behalf. The rose represents Jesus, but the thorns bring remembrance of the suffering He went through for me... and you.....

This is the greatest love story of all time..... Think on the rose.....

“...Whatsoever things are lovely... think on these things.”
Philippians 4:8 KJV

© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Pleasant Home

Order in a home is a gift to all who live there...
A way of showing loved ones just how much we really care.
This is not an easy task, but one we all should really do.
Order is a blessed gift... it’s one we truly should pursue.

We do ourselves a favor if we learn to be more neat.
It makes our home attractive... like a place of sweet “retreat”.
Order is a better choice than disarray and clutter,
For when we cannot find a thing, we grumble and we mutter.

Too much “schedule” can confuse and rob us of our peace and ease.
Maybe we should organize our time and check activities.
Any causes of disorder we should re-evaluate.
Peace and order in a home are gifts which we ourselves create!

“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace...”
I Corinthians 14:33 KJV

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Forgiveness Is As Gold

When we take offense, we are building a wall.
If we don’t forgive, we have no joy at all.
If things offend you, release them at once.
Do not pay head to slights and affronts.

Choose to be free of resentment and grudges.
Do not react to barbs, hints, or “nudges”.
Love and forgiveness will bridge any gap
And keep us from getting caught up in this trap.

The fruit of forgiveness is healing and peace.
And love is the oil of gentle release.
Walk in the joy of forgiveness each day.
Its worth is as gold... God’s love-inspired way.

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
Ephesians 4:32 KJV

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Think Before You Speak

Think before you speak
Or give anyone critique.
God made you, but also them.
In Him you’re both unique!

They may be a super-star,
Or weaker than you think you are.
Either way you both have worth,
And God is watching from afar.

We must keep our eyes on Him
And measure not another soul.
Precious in His sight are all.
Each one has a special role.

“Judge not, that ye be not judged.”
Matthew 7:1 KJV

© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Trails Of Blessing

What kind of “trail” do you leave behind?
When you’ve passed through, will others then find
That nothing has changed right down “to the letter”?
Or will your own imprint have made things much better?

We have a choice in the trail we leave.
Our goal should be blessings for folks to receive.
Something good happens when we think ahead...
Our very best blessings to share and to spread.

Each time we make effort, our trail to improve,
We’ll inspire others to similarly move.
Our trail will bring challenge as others look on
And will be remembered long after we’ve gone.

“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”
Colossians 3:17 KJV

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

You Are Special

Did you know you are different from everyone else...
You are quite special and one-of-a-kind.
God is creative and gave you much thought.
The plan for your life by Him was hand-signed.

You are important... in Him you have worth.
You have His “imprint”, which no one can take.
The giftings He gave you are rich and unique.
Never forget this when choices you make.

Rejoice in His goodness. Look up and be glad!
When you were born God gave you His best!
In Him is promise and “wealth” to excel.
Know that in Him you will be very blessed.

“Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves...”
Psalm 100:3 KJV

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Discerning The News

When we hear the evening news
The many facts we should peruse.
Prayer Warriors, be alert!
Some issues media will “skirt”.

What is bad can’t be called good.
Issues must be understood.
Issues which have “haziness”
Confuse and sponsor “craziness”.

Prayer Warriors, watch and pray
That truth be known every day.
Of urgent issues be aware.
When we pray, God hears our prayer.

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
II Chronicles 7:14 KJV

© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Our Peace Is In Him

When you need peace from stress and confusion
And you need light to offset delusion,
Draw nigh to God... just rest and be still,
For then He will speak and show you His will.

When everything’s moving ahead at full speed
It’s wise to retreat until you find His lead.
He may advise you to try a new “tack”,
Or He just might tell you to “watch and stand back.”

He knows what is best... to leave or to stay.
Whatever the change, then He’ll pave the way
And give you the peace which you so desire.
All of your footsteps He then will inspire.

“Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.”
Psalm 25:4-5 KJV

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Read The Instructions

How many times have we heard these words,
“When all else fails, read the instructions.”
Usually this will be after the fact
When we’ve already tried our own weak deductions.

We should not get in too much of a hurry,
But just stop and read the instructions first.
Then we won’t get in a dither or flurry.
All our frustrations would then be reversed!

We should be willing to listen and learn.
It’s always wise to heed good advice
Think how much effort and time we could save.
So we would not have to do some things twice!

“Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.”
Proverbs 4:13 KJV

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf