Faithful to the End

Written on the Swallow's way to work on 21 November 2015, and left aside in her mobile notes. Not till today did she remember the thoughts the Lord had brought to her mind then.

FAITHFUL TO THE END by jadeswallow

In a little while, Christ may be here
From the heavens above, He will soon appear
All we who worship Him, are we ready to hear?
That loud command which rings through the spheres?

Are we ready to meet Him? To see Him soon?
It may be at sunrise, sunset or mid-afternoon
It may be tonight, tomorrow or many new moons
We know not when, but it may be soon.

When He finally appears, we must be ready;
Our faith in Him strong, our walk with Him steady
For when He comes, we'll spend eternity
Singing His praises, bowing our knees.

On that glorious day when my Lord comes for me
When the angel's shout sounds, I want to be ready
So help me, Lord, on earth to be steady
Faithful, in all things, throughout this long journey.

Help me, Lord, to walk on joyfully
In spite of earth's sorrows, to grow more fully
Like You, my Saviour, who gave Your life for me
Then I will be here what I will be there in eternity.

One More Day

A new year, a new study into the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

"He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming quickly." Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!" (Revelation 22: 20, NKJV)

ONE MORE DAY by jadeswallow

One more day and Christ may return
To take me home with all God's children
For this earthly home is just temporary
Our home's not here, it's in eternity.

One more day to do His work
Touching lives, reaching out - it must be a perk
Joyfully, gracefully, willingly - in the Spirit
With His joy, by His grace and in His will - my meat to eat.

Difficult and long the road in this life's journey
But my Lord indeed has promised me
"Never will I leave thee, never will I thee forsake"
So I, His child, press on - for His name's sake.

One more day, Lord, just one more day
Help me to press on, help me to stay
Faithful in the tasks You have for me
Even as I wait for Your eternity.

It's Almost Christmas

Just a day till Christmas...

IT'S ALMOST CHRISTMAS by jadeswallow

It's almost Christmas - let us be still
It's not about our presents, but peace and goodwill
It's not merely about family, but God's relation to man
He sent His own begotten Son to bring salvation's plan.

It's almost Christmas - please stop for a while
To wonder at this plan, and ponder with a smile
That God, the Almighty, should even consider us
When He created the world and the whole universe.

It's almost Christmas - let us, with joy,
Remember the angels, the shepherds, but mainly the Boy
Remember the wise men, gentle Mary and faithful Joseph
But mostly the loving Saviour who came down to serve.

It's almost Christmas, let us look up
As we feast, as we dine, or as we sup
He's coming again - this was and is His promise
Let us be ready - it could be this Christmas!

How Do We Speak?

What does the Swallow do when she is at the receiving end of a conversation that bordered on scorn? Does she react with gentleness?  Meekness?  Or retaliate in kind?

An eye for an eye?  Or turn the other cheek?

In such a situation today with a Christian friend, it was difficult for her to hold her tongue. Defending herself from the harsh words was foremost in her thoughts.  It was difficult to walk away without feeling hurt or offended.


It is not easy to be like Jesus.  How did He remain silent among the scornful crowd?  How did He 'opened not His mouth'?

Isaiah 53 : 7 (NKJV)
He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth.

Mulling over the incident later in the night, the Swallow was reminded that Christians are not perfect.  She remembered the many times when she had been the one who had spoken out of turn.  When the coin was on the other side.

1 Peter 2 : 1 - 5 (NKJV)
Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.  Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

HOW DO WE SPEAK? by jadeswallow

An encouraging word lifts the heart
Bridges the gap when we're apart
But words of scorn build higher walls
Tears may fall, or friendship stalls
Is this how we speak to our family and friends?
With words that seem like a slap of the hand?
With words that hurt, or words that tear
Or words that are sometimes hard to bear?

How sad it is, when a Christian speaks
And we do not see a heart that is meek
Instead there is pride, and a haughty tone
Is this what it is to be a living stone?
To be like Jesus, to be like Him
We tell the world that we love Him
Yet in our speech - is there kindness and love?
Seasoned with grace from the Father above?

It was a humbling reminder.  "Help me, Lord, to be like You."

A Journey of Faith

The year 2013 started a little different for the Swallow and her mate.  One of their young ones was testing his wings in Nepal.  Seeing him and his mission exposure team members off at the airport several days ago, the Swallow and her mate were grateful for the opportunity that had been given to their young one.  Yet... What would be ahead for him?

Their other young one began a school year with most things new - school, teachers, friends, uniform and books.  Not one who took well to new things, the Swallow's young one could hardly sleep last night, but their Heavenly Father was loving, and heeded their prayers.  Sleep came swiftly for the young one soon after.  Yet... What would be ahead for her?

Both their young ones are testing their wings.  One a little nearer the nest.  The other going on longer flights.  Soon they will be flying further and further, longer and longer.  Will their young ones continue their flight in the right direction?  What would be ahead for the Swallow and her mate?

They could only voice their fears to their loving Heavenly Father, and keep flying themselves.  It would be a journey of faith for all of them.

Psalm 101 : 6 (NKJV)
My eyes shall be on the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me; he who walks in a perfect way, he shall serve me.

Matthew 25 : 23 (NKJV)
His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'

A JOURNEY OF FAITH by jadeswallow

There they go -
What is ahead, they do not know
But hand in hand along the path
They look ahead, with eyes of faith
And as they walk, they know they're loved
By their Heavenly Father up above
So on they go, to journey's end
Then there, before the Throne, they'll stand
To hear the loving voice announce
"Well done, good and faithful one."

Solitude

Psalm 130 : 5 (NKJV)
I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope.

SOLITUDE by jadeswallow

Time alone with You, I'll spend
That my ways, O Lord, You'll mend
Then my life will shine for Jesus -
Living life within Your plan.

Precious Jesus, You're my Rock
Evil thoughts within me, block
Looking unto You - my Jesus
Learn from You, whom many mock.

Daily cleansing, I will need
Before Your throne, O Lord, I plead
Humbled, hurting - seek my Jesus
Pliant clay, the Potter kneads.

Wait for You, not seek my plans
Daily moulding by Your hands
Bringing glory unto Jesus
Till I reach that Heavenly land.

Trust

Jeremiah 29 : 11 (NIV)
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

TRUST by jadeswallow

My life is part of God's great plan
I need to trust, not understand,
To yield my life, to hold His hand
For He, alone, will help me stand.
Without the sun, there'll be no rain
I won't know joy if I don't know pain.
All through life's cares, the Master knows
The joys, the hopes, and the tomorrows.

He is my Hope, He is my Light
I'll stay the course, as my soul takes flight
With eyes on Him, I'll soar above
The gloom, the pain, with wings of love.
The heart may sigh, and tears may flow,
He's promised hope though ill winds blow.
So I'll look to Him - My All in All
He'll keep me safe, though I may fall.

And as I walk along life's road
He knows my cares, He bears my load
So I must trust My Lord to guide
My way in life - He's by my side!
And yield my life, and hold His hand
For His promises will forever stand
I'll seek to trust, not understand
My life, my part in His great plan.

Running & Looking

...let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith...

Extracted from Hebrews 12 : 1 - 2 (NKJV), the above quote was the theme verse for the Sunday School outing held on 17 May, a public holiday in Singapore in line with Vesak Day.  Held at Labrador Park, more than 200 students, with their parents, enjoyed a sunny fun-filled half-day of food, family and fellowship.  Games were played, and bountiful food was provided and eaten beside sun-reflected waters that occasionally showered waves upon nearby onlookers when boats swept too close to the shores.

Prior to the games which naturally involved much running and looking, the children spent some time learning some truths from God's word.  For the very young ones (children up to Primary 2), the Swallow shared the stories of Zacchaeus and Peter.

The story of Zacchaeus can be found in Luke 19 : 1 - 10.  The story tells how Zacchaeus, described as a chief tax collector, rich and short, was running around, looking for Jesus whom he had heard was coming into his town.  Tax collectors were usually not well-liked.  People shunned them as they tended to take more tax than what was required.  Zacchaeus must have heard of how Jesus befriended those that were generally not accepted by others, thus he was quick to seek after Jesus.  Alas, due to his short stature, it was difficult.  His view was blocked by those that were taller, and maybe due to no one liking him, they did not give way to him.  Did he give up?  No!  Thus the link to 'run with endurance'.  Zacchaeus was an example of someone who did not give up easily when looking for Jesus.  In order to see Jesus, he climbed up into a sycamore tree.  His reward?  He reached his goal of meeting Jesus, and from that day on, Zacchaeus was a changed man as evidenced by his declaration to give half of  his goods to the poor; and to restore fourfold anything that had been taken from anyone by false accusation.

The story of Peter can be found in Matthew 14 : 22 - 33.  Peter was a fisherman, a disciple of Jesus and one of the three found in the inner circle of Jesus' friends.  Quick off his mouth and generally described as impulsive, he was a natural leader of the twelve disciples.  This story of Peter happened when Jesus, after performing the miracle of feeding the five thousand, asked the disciples to cross to the other side of the sea while He went up to a mountain by Himself to pray.  Late in the night, when the boat was in the middle of the sea and being tossed by the waves, Jesus appeared before the disciples, walking on the sea.  The natural reaction?  "It is a ghost!", they cried out in fear.  When Jesus proclaimed who He was, Peter was quick to ask Jesus to command him to go to Him.  Given the command, Peter got out of the boat and walked on water.  Wow!  Alas, Peter took his eyes off His Lord and saw the boisterous wind instead.  Though he began to sink, he remembered to cry out to Jesus to save him, and Jesus did.

The children were reminded that they too can be like Zacchaeus or Peter.  Like Zacchaeus, not to give up easily when looking for Jesus.  He is the One who can and who will meet all their needs.  He will be found if they seek Him with all their hearts.  Like Peter, having found Jesus, they need to continue looking to Him to meet all their needs.  In the storms of life, they need to cry out to Jesus for help.  He will save them.

RUN, RUN, LET US RUN by jadeswallow

Run, run, let us run
Run the race today
Looking unto Jesus Christ
who helps us all the way.  (Yea!)

(sung to the tune of 'Row, row, row your boat')

For all believers of the Lord Jesus Christ, may they too be like Zacchaeus or Peter, never giving up but running with endurance the race that is set before them, looking unto Jesus, the One who will always help them so that they may be found faithful even to the end of their lives.  In storms of life, may they remember to turn their eyes back to Jesus, and call out to Him to save them.

Perfection

...let us go on to perfection...Hebrews 6 : 1 (NKJV)

PERFECTION by jadeswallow

When I sought to find perfection
I found it, Lord, when I looked on Thee
The perfect, spotless, sinless Lamb
The Son of God who died for me
The Father's well-beloved Son
Who sat at His right hand
You came to earth, Your glory laid
To pay the price for men.

The wages of sin, I cannot pay
The price of sin, You paid for me
Bearing my sin, my shame, my pain
The Father turned His eyes from Thee
Yet You said, "Father, forgive them,
For they know not what they do."
So I believe, I know it's true
I have found perfection - it's You.

Now in my life, I seek to be
More like You, day by day
Perfect I will never be
While on this earth I stay
Yet I will trust in You, my Lord
My Counsellor and my Guide
To help me through each brand new day
To be more perfect in every way.

Published in the Swallow's church newsletter (Jan-Feb 2013 issue), with her permission.  To God be the glory!