The Lamb’s Gaze to the Shepherd’s Hand by Debbie Harris

23 Sunday Mar 2025

Posted by in Bible Centered Poetry, Christ Centered Devotionals, Christ-centered poetry, Christian Poetry, Exalting Jesus Christ, Holy Bible, Inspirational

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The sonnet portrays a small lamb standing on a hill at dusk, its fleece glowing as it looks to its shepherd for direction. With trusting eyes, the lamb seeks guidance through the vast, shadowy fields ahead, relying on the shepherd’s staff to lead it to safety or peace. Unfazed by potential dangers or uncertainties, the lamb follows faithfully, its gentle bleats asking what lies next, content to go wherever the shepherd directs.

A little lamb stands soft upon the hill,
Its fleece aglow beneath the fading day,
With tender eyes it seeks the shepherd’s will,
To know the path through dusk’s uncertain play.
The fields stretch wide, a sea of green and gold,
Yet shadows creep where hidden streams may run,
The lamb, so small, in trust both meek and bold,
Looks up to him who guards ‘gainst setting sun.
The staff he holds, a beacon calm and sure,
Points forth where grazing peace or shelter waits,
Through storm or stillness, danger or allure,
The lamb steps on, content with shepherd’s gates.
In every bleat, a question softly sings,
“What’s next, my guide?”—and follows where he brings.

From Ancient Signs to Modern Peaks: The Eternal Reach of Belief by Debbie Harris

23 Sunday Mar 2025

Posted by in Bible Centered Poetry, Christ Centered Devotionals, Christ-centered poetry, Christian Poetry, Exalting Jesus Christ, Holy Bible, Inspirational, Jesus Christ, King of Kings

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The sonnet challenges the notion that miracles are confined to history, asserting that God’s power remains active today for those with faith. It recalls past wonders—like parted seas and healed lives—as evidence of divine might that persists unchanged. The poem emphasizes that believers can still command mountains to move, as Jesus taught, and see the impossible yield to steadfast trust. It celebrates the continuity of God’s miracles, urging the faithful to embrace this living power and witness its effects in the present.

Why banish wonders to the days of old,
When God, unchanging, holds His power still?
For those who trust, His marvels yet unfold,
Through faith, we bend the mountains to His will.
The past recounts the seas that split in twain,
The blind made whole, the dead restored to breath,
Yet now, as then, His might does not wane,
For belief unlocks the chains of death.
“Be gone!” we cry to peaks that block our way,
And stone must yield to words of steadfast heart,
The Lord, who spoke the stars to light the day,
Still bids the impossible depart.
So let us claim the miracles anew,
For God’s great works shine forth to faithful view.

Meditations on the Transience of Riches and the Eternity of Grace by Debbie Harris

23 Sunday Mar 2025

Posted by in Bible Centered Poetry, Christ Centered Devotionals, Christ-centered poetry, Christian Poetry, Exalting Jesus Christ, Holy Bible, Inspirational

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The sonnet urges the wealthy to reject arrogance and reliance on their uncertain riches, which can vanish like the wind. Instead, it encourages them to place their hope in God, who generously provides all things for true enjoyment. It contrasts the fleeting nature of material wealth with the enduring treasure of faith, calling the rich to humility and trust in divine grace as the source of lasting fulfillment.

The rich who tread this fleeting world below,
With coffers full, are bid to shun their pride,
For gold, though bright, doth shift like winds that blow,
And in its gleam, no lasting hope abide.
Let not their hearts exalt in hoarded store,
Nor cling to wealth, that fickle friend of chance,
But turn their gaze to Him who giveth more,
Whose boundless grace doth earthly gifts enhance.
For God, in love, provides our every need,
A fount of joy that never runs to dust,
And bids us sow with kind and humble deed,
To find in Him a treasure we can trust.
So let the rich, with meekness as their crown,
Hold fast to faith, where truest wealth is found.

Beneath the Gilded Frame of Wealth and Pride by Debbie Harris

23 Sunday Mar 2025

Posted by in Bible Centered Poetry, Christ Centered Devotionals, Christian Poetry, Exalting Jesus Christ, Holy Bible, Inspirational, Jesus Christ, King of Kings, Royally Redeemed

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This sonnet, “Beneath the Gilded Frame of Wealth and Pride,” reflects on the arrival of a wealthy man in a community, adorned with dazzling riches and commanding attention. It questions whether one should be swayed by his material splendor or look deeper to his true character. While wealth may shine brightly, it is fleeting, and pride, not money, often blocks spiritual fulfillment. The sonnet urges judgment based not on transient treasures but on acts of grace, concluding that a person’s worth lies beyond what they possess—humble deeds endure where pride and boldness fade.

If in your midst a rich man should appear,
With gold and silks to dazzle every eye,
His voice commanding all who linger near,
His wealth a tower reaching to the sky—
Would you, in awe, his every word obey,
Or see the heart beneath the gilded frame?
For riches gleam, yet often fade away,
While humble souls may bear a truer name.
The camel threads no needle’s narrow gate,
Yet pride, not coin, may bar the heav’nly door—
So judge him not by treasure’s fleeting weight,
But by the grace his actions may restore.
A man is more than what his hands can hold,
For humble deeds outlast the proud and bold.

Lest the Martyrs Fade from Memory (Hebrews 11, Revelation 6:9-11) by Debbie Harris

23 Sunday Mar 2025

Posted by in Bible Centered Poetry, Christ Centered Devotionals, Christ-centered poetry, Christian Poetry, Exalting Jesus Christ, Holy Bible, Inspirational, Jesus Christ, King of Kings, Royally Redeemed

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The sonnet “Lest the Martyrs Fade from Memory (Hebrews 11, Revelation 6:9-11)” is a Shakespearean poem (ABAB CDCD EFEF GG rhyme scheme, iambic pentameter) that honors the enduring legacy of faith’s martyrs, past and present, while lamenting the risk of their being forgotten, inspired by Hebrews 11 (the “hall of faith”) and Revelation 6:9-11 (martyrs under the altar). The first quatrain recalls the blood of ancient martyrs and those slain today, their voices forming a timeless chorus of courage. The second quatrain contrasts historical persecutions—flames and lions—with modern trials of steel and scorn, affirming that both shine under heaven’s watch, their spirits upheld eternally. The third quatrain notes the world’s forgetfulness, yet celebrates the martyrs’ ongoing sacrifice as a defiant, radiant band across time. The final couplet urges remembrance of their undying call to stand, proclaiming their victorious shine in heaven’s eternal land. Written without first-person references, the sonnet blends reflection with triumph, uniting past and present martyrs in a call to honor their steadfast faith.

The blood of old lies deep within the ground,
Yet still today brave souls for faith are slain,
Their voices past and present yet resound,
A chorus bold through time’s unbroken chain.
The ancients faced the flame, the lion’s jaw,
While now the steel and scorn cut just as deep,
Both eras shine where heaven’s gaze foresaw,
Their spirits rise where sacred vigils keep.
The world forgets, its haste obscures their stand,
From martyrs old to those this hour confess,
Their sacrifice ascends, a timeless band,
Defies the dark with light that none repress.
Let ages hear their undying call to stand,
Faith’s martyrs shine in heaven’s eternal land!

The Savior’s Kingdom Stands Unshaken (Hebrews 12:28) by Debbie Harris

23 Sunday Mar 2025

Posted by in Bible Centered Poetry, Christ Centered Devotionals, Christ-centered poetry, Christian Poetry, Exalting Jesus Christ, Holy Bible, Inspirational, Jesus Christ, King of Kings, Royally Redeemed

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The sonnet, titled “The Savior’s Kingdom Stands Unshaken (Hebrews 12:28),” is a Shakespearean poem (ABAB CDCD EFEF GG rhyme scheme, iambic pentameter) that celebrates the unshakable kingdom of the Savior amidst a perpetually shaken world, inspired by Hebrews 12:28: “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken…” (NIV). The first quatrain contrasts the world’s raging chaos with Christ’s steadfast domain, a kingdom immune to fear and time’s decay. The second quatrain depicts the earth’s instability—empires falling and shadows fading—against the enduring light and strength of the Savior’s reign. The third quatrain emphasizes His sovereign seat’s resilience, offering unbreakable peace and eternal might despite worldly strife. The final couplet proclaims the triumph of His throne over transient ruins, affirming its growing glory. Written without first-person references, the sonnet exalts the Savior’s kingdom as an unshakable refuge, fulfilling the biblical promise with a victorious tone.

The world reels wild, its tempests fiercely rage,
Yet Christ’s domain defies all quaking dread,
His kingdom towers firm through every age,
A rock where mortal tumult finds no tread.
The earth convulses, empires crack and sway,
While shadows flee before His steady light,
The Savior’s reign holds fast through storm and fray,
Its might unshaken, boundless in its height.
Though chaos grips the lands with ceaseless woe,
His sovereign seat remains forever sure,
No power breaks the peace His rule bestow,
Eternal strength in Him shall long endure.
Let trembling realms their fragile ruin know,
The Savior’s throne stands firm, His glories grow!

O Church of Acts, Arise Anew by Debbie Harris

23 Sunday Mar 2025

Posted by in Bible Centered Poetry, Christ Centered Devotionals, Christ-centered poetry, Christian Poetry, Christmas, Exalting Jesus Christ, Holy Bible, Inspirational, Jesus Christ, King of Kings

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The sonnet “O Church of Acts, Arise Anew” is a Shakespearean poem (ABAB CDCD EFEF GG rhyme scheme, iambic pentameter) that expresses a triumphant longing for the revival of churches mirroring the vibrant, unified communities of the Book of Acts, particularly Acts 2:42-47. The first quatrain evokes a Spirit-filled past where believers united in prayer and shared all things with joy. The second quatrain portrays a community alive with truth, communal meals, and awe-inspiring signs, bound by a singular faith. The third quatrain voices a yearning for this model to spread globally, breaking down greed and illuminating the world with hope. The final couplet envisions a victorious resurgence, calling for unity and glory to mark the church’s rise. Written without first-person references, it celebrates the Acts ideal as a timeless aspiration for renewal and strength.

The Spirit wakes, a fire from ancient days,
Where souls entwine in love and ceaseless prayer,
A band unites, their hearts in bold displays,
To hold all goods as one, with joy to share.
The truth rings out through voices raised in praise,
The table spreads, with grace for all to claim,
Signs gleam afresh, igniting awestruck gaze,
One faith binds all beneath a common flame.
The world awaits this vision to restore,
Where walls of greed dissolve in boundless care,
A fellowship to bloom from shore to shore,
A light to pierce the dark with hope so rare.
Let echoes swell, let unity take flight,
The church shall rise in glory and in might!

For I Know That My Redeemer Liveth, and That He Shall Stand at the Latter Day Upon the Earth II by Debbie Harris

23 Sunday Mar 2025

Posted by in Bible Centered Poetry, Christ Centered Devotionals, Christian Poetry, Exalting Jesus Christ, Holy Bible, Inspirational, Jesus Christ, King of Kings, Praise, Royally Redeemed

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The sonnet, titled “For I Know That My Redeemer Liveth, and That He Shall Stand at the Latter Day Upon the Earth,” is a bold proclamation of Christ’s eternal and triumphant reign, drawing inspiration from Job 19:25: “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth” (KJV). Crafted in Shakespearean form with the rhyme scheme ABAB CDCD EFEF GG and iambic pentameter, it celebrates the Savior’s unassailable sovereignty. The first quatrain portrays a King whose power and glory overcome all opposition, illuminating the darkness. The second quatrain depicts His stand on the latter day, where nature submits and His authority extends across the earth in unending strength. The third quatrain elevates His reign beyond time, with heavens and stars honoring His grace, His rule encompassing all existence. The final couplet urges earth and sky to sing His triumph, declaring Christ the everlasting King. Written without first-person references, the sonnet transforms Job’s personal affirmation into a universal anthem of victory.

A King ascends, His power knows no end,
His glory fills the skies with radiant might,
No foe can stand, no storm His will can bend,
His throne commands the day, dispels the night.
The latter day reveals His sovereign stand,
The seas retreat, the hills His name adore,
His scepter gleams o’er earth’s unyielding land,
Eternal strength shall echo evermore.
The heavens laud His reign through endless years,
The stars bow down beneath His boundless grace,
His crown prevails where mortal time disappears,
And spans all realms in one victorious space.
Let earth and sky His endless triumph sing,
Christ reigns supreme, the everlasting King!

For I Know That My Redeemer Liveth, and That He Shall Stand at the Latter Day Upon the Earth I by Debbie Harris

23 Sunday Mar 2025

Posted by in Bible Centered Poetry, Christ Centered Devotionals, Christ-centered poetry, Christ-Created Nature, Christian Poetry, Exalting Jesus Christ, Holy Bible, Inspirational, Jesus Christ, King of Kings, Praise

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The sonnet, titled “For I Know That My Redeemer Liveth, and That He Shall Stand at the Latter Day Upon the Earth,” is a triumphant celebration of Christ’s eternal and victorious reign, inspired by Job 19:25: “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth” (KJV). Written in Shakespearean form with the rhyme scheme ABAB CDCD EFEF GG and iambic pentameter, it exalts the Savior’s unshakable sovereignty. The first quatrain establishes His enduring throne and invincible might. The second quatrain highlights His triumphant stand on the latter day, where creation bows and His glory shines undimmed. The third quatrain extends His rule beyond time, affirming that “His reign will be o’er heaven and earth sublime,” uniting both realms under His dominion. The final couplet calls all creation to proclaim His victory, presenting Christ as the sovereign King over all. Though the verse uses first person, the sonnet shifts to third person to universally proclaim His reign, fulfilling the victorious tone rooted in Job’s declaration.

The Savior lives, His throne stands ever sure,
A King whose might no shadow dares defy,
His voice awakens all with strength so pure,
His reign shall tower where the heavens lie.
Upon the latter day He claims His place,
The mountains kneel, the winds His praise proclaim,
No force can dim the splendor of His face,
Eternal light attends His holy name.
The stars exalt His rule beyond all time,
The earth rejoices in His boundless sway,
His reign will be o’er heaven and earth sublime,
And holds dominion in unending day.
Let all creation sound His triumph’s call,
Christ reigns victorious, sovereign over all!

The Single Shines, Though Judged, with Holy Heart So Bright, Serving God in Pure Delight by Debbie Harris

23 Sunday Mar 2025

Posted by in Bible Centered Poetry, Christ Centered Devotionals, Christ-centered poetry, Christian Poetry, Exalting Jesus Christ, Holy Bible, Inspirational, Jesus Christ, King of Kings

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The sonnet “The Single Shines, Though Judged, with Heart So Bright, Serving God in Pure Delight” explores the experience of single individuals in a church often centered on families. It portrays married couples and their children filling the pews with harmonious praise, while singles, though present, face subtle misjudgments—assumptions they lack fulfillment or reject love. Yet, drawing from 1 Corinthians 7:32-34, where Paul writes, “The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord… the unmarried woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit,” the poem celebrates singleness as a joyful, unbound state. Free from earthly ties, singles shine with a radiant, delighted heart, boldly serving God and praising Him with unshackled devotion, despite the church’s focus on family life.

In hallowed halls where kith and kin unite,
The wedded throng with children raise their song,
Their prayers ascend in harmony so bright,
Yet single souls amid them still belong.
The flock may muse, with murmurs soft and sly,
That lone hearts miss the joys of love’s embrace,
Their merry choice, by error’s tale passed by,
Seen dim or dull through folly’s fleeting gaze.
But Paul proclaimed the unbound heart’s delight,
No earthly tie to dim its radiant flame,
In freedom bold, to God’s own will so light,
They soar unyoked, His glory to acclaim.
Though churches cheer the brood with warm accord,
The single shines, a joy to praise the Lord.