A Note from the Poet

Dear Reader,

These lines were written for one purpose: that Christ would be made known, and that His salvation would be seen for what it is—a gift, freely given.

The earth still groans. The night still thickens, just as Jesus said it would. Yet the Cross has not moved. The door has not closed. The wounded King still offers what no one can earn.

If these words find you weary, take them as an invitation. If they find you already His, take them as a charge: speak His name while the hours remain.

Glory to Jesus.

—The Poet

Ephesians 2:8-9

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 8:22

For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

Matthew 24:12

And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

John 16:33

In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Galatians 6:14

But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

1 Corinthians 1:18

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

Mark 16:15

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

John 12:32

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

2 Corinthians 6:2

Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Let Christ be lifted, let His gift be told—

Jesus given freely, not bought, not sold.

The earth still labors, bound and torn,

All creation groaning, waiting to be born.

Night thickens now, as the Savior spoke,

Yet the Cross stands open, the darkness broke.

Glory to Jesus, the Wounded King,

Whose blood made beggars heirs of everything.

So speak it plainly while the hours remain:

The gift is free, the door is not in vain.

Make Christ be known from shore to shore—

Till every groan is answered, and night is no more.

**To God be the glory always and only.