Let Not My Branch Lay Barren Lord - Corrected

Dtrail
Susan Nikitenko
September 23th, 2015
Autumn Poem Poster

Let Not My Branch Lay Barren Lord

Oh Lord, May I abide in you;

May my life bear lasting fruit.

Forgive my heart, let me not doubt;

I can do all things in you.

Like the joy of a summer morn;

A field filled with sweet new corn;

I know how joyful we will be.

If we will abide in thee.

There's faith that makes the weakest strong;

Like a mustard seed so small.

In Christ, we grow and learn and be;

While abiding constantly.

Let not my branch lay barren Lord;

Fill my baskets with  your peace;

Fill my barns with fruits of blessing;

Your righteousness may increase.

I pray my fields do not lay waste;

My hands not labor in vain.

Fill my arms with fruit from the fields;

Lest my tears fall like Autumn rains.

No greater love we've ever known;

Then the love you've gladly shown.

Like a vine filled with pleasant  blooms;

Show me how to love like you.

Susan Y Nikitenko

September 13th, 2015
(Song)

No greater love, no greater love, than we have ever known.
No greater love than the love you've gladly shown.
Like a vine filled with fruits of your Spirit;
Show me how to love you, Lord,
Show me how to love like you.

Susan Y Nikitenko
September 15th, 2015
Chorus:

 1Corinthians 15:58 

 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You.

What A Beautiful Musical Fall - Poem

What A Beautiful Musical Fall

The Autumn months bring pleasure and smiles;

As we remember, how God has blessed.

Both now and throughout our years gone by;

The wonderful things that we love best.

Baskets of apples, of wheat and the crops;

The apple cider that warms our chills.

All of the squirrels collecting for winter;

And the hayride through the pumpkin field .

With colorful leaves in colorful trees;

We thank-God, Give thanks for it all;

For the harvest, for the blessings so loved;

What a beautiful, musical fall.

Then coming down, like an orchestra sound;

The wind and the leaves dance together.

And the smell of baked bread catches our nose;

The fall has such comforting weather.

The pleasantry's of Autumn seem endless;

The corn stalks standing tall in a row.

All the different pumpkins and  gourds;

And the bright mums the harvesters grow.

Then comes a crisp day in the Autumn months

We gather together as night falls.

And sing songs around the bonfire;

What a beautiful, musical fall.

With family and friends who love and bless;

With laughter and life's sweet enjoyment,

Just to be around them brings our lives joy;

Feelings, better than any present.

We will enter His gates with thanksgiving praise;

We will sing of His glory and  his grace.

We will remember the goodness of God;

And rejoice in His glorious ways.

A friend plays his guitar and says "sing along";

We sing along while the crickets call;

With the many sounds of Autumn's night;

What a beautiful, musical fall.

Susan Y Nikitenko

September 17th, 2014

Psalms 100:4
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, 

and into his courts with praise: be 
thankful unto him, and bless his name.

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You.

Dying Without The Light - updated

Dying Without The Light

This past October I decided for the first time to carve some pumpkins.  Now last year my son in law and daughter carved the pumpkin for the  "Pumpkin With A Purpose Lesson", that I wrote last year, but we only used it in the classroom.

I had around eight pumpkins.  I  was thinking how  pretty they would look all lit up with

 the gospel message shining through.  Talk about scaring some devils away. - he he

Anyway, we carved six of the pumpkins and set them outside awaiting the day to light them.

We apparently had carved them too soon and the weather got warm and they slowly started to fade away.  My husband and I were the only ones here.   I have no little children here to enjoy them anymore.  We never have any trick or treaters, though we normally buy candy just in case.  So the pumpkins  just sat out  there and died without any light.  They said nice things like, Jesus loves you  and even had a cross, but there was absolutely no light on the inside.

This reminds me of people who have trusted in the wrong things for salvation.  The bible talks about them.

Like the people who will say  " Lord, Lord I've done many wonderful work in your name".  I'm sure they did many wonderful works even gave to the poor and the needy.  Those things are all great things to do

but there's only one way to heaven.  God's not going to open heaven's gate to one who has trusted his own good works to get him there.  I must also say though,  good works will be the fruit of a true believer in Christ.  Jesus said himself ,we shall know them by their fruit. 

There are many people who wear a cross and even tell others Jesus loves them, but the question is do they have a light on... on the inside themselves.  Have they ever really trusted in the right things for salvation? Without Christ living and dwelling in our hearts we would be religious, but we wouldn't  be saved.  We wouldn't have any light.

There are many people who are like those pumpkins outside that never got lit.  They die thinking  " I think I've lived good enough to make it to heaven", but they never were lit up on the inside.  They never trusted Christ alone for salvation.  They were really good people, seemingly perfect, but it's not the right way....yes even for a true believer,  we know Christ tells us there is coming a day when every man's work  (man and woman) will be tried by fire.  Then we shall know what manner of work it was.  but for an unbeliever his works were never done in the power of Christ.  He never had a light.

We as Christians need to be sharing the gospel light,  that others may believe and receive the gospel message and in turn be a light in a dark place.

Matthew 7:22-23

 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

1 Corinthians  3:13

 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 

 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Roman 1:16

 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

PS. Now You Know:  This Is Not Left Over From Last Halloween

devotional

Susan Y Nikitenko

November 11th, 2013

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You.

I Thank You - Autumn Video

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You.

A Pumpkin With A Purpose - Pumpkin Patch - updated October 11th

A Pumpkin With A Purpose

Susan Y Nikitenko

October 10th, 2012

tween to teen - or adult

The farmer's children went out to the field to find just the right pumpkin for carving.  They found one slightly two big to carry so they rolled it, pushed it, banged it a couple times and even got stuck into a hole once.  They managed to free the pumpkin from the hole and continued on their mission.  The eldest went to get their riding mower with its cart, which was in the barn.  He then returned to give their pumpkin a ride the rest of the way home.  On the way the mower  hit a bump and the pumpkin rolled off the cart and down the hill.  The three children all ran down the hill to roll it back up the hill and they loaded it back onto the cart.  Then finally they made it to the front door of their home and brought it inside to prepare the pumpkin for carving.  They went into the house  laughing and out of breath.  They were filled with excitement as they told their mother what a great time they had getting the pumpkin to the house.

This pumpkin had a very important purpose.  They washed the pumpkin and gathered the tools they needed to carve it.  They cut the bottom off  and dug out all the yucky stuff on the inside.  Then they  carefully stenciled the pattern on the face of the pumpkin.  They cut the shapes out very carefully.  Then they placed an electric candle into the bottom.  They turned the lights off to look at their work.  This was to be a very special pumpkin and it was.  Three lovely flowers and the words JESUS LOVES YOU!  shined beautifully.   It would be a light for Jesus during the Fall season.  What a blessing.

In the pumpkin patch of life we need to be long suffering.  The pumpkin had to endure some hardship to get where it needed to be.  Sometimes God allows us to go through some difficult times in order to teach us enduance.  Life is not always easy, but if you are God's child.  He has a purpose for you.   If God knows every sparrow that falls to the ground.  Then He certainly is involved in the details of your life. 

One of the verses  in God's Word that has always kept me trusting God is Romans 8:28.  God has a purpose and if we believe we will endure in this hope.  God has a greater purpose.  Each one of us have a purpose.  God is getting us to where we need to be.  God is stenciling out His plan.  He's taking out all the ugly stuff and He's filling us up full of His light.  .  He is using the tools necessary to fulfill His purpose for us.  Then He sets us out into a dark world to shine for Him.

He loves you so much and He wants you to be His child.  He wants to be your Father in heaven.  He has a purpose for you.  You can find that purpose by trusting Christ for salvation.   ( Invitation to salvation).

For the telling of this story object lesson:  Prepare a pumpkin with three flowers and the words " Jesus Love You" on the front of a pumpkin with a light.  You will show only the back during the beginning of the story and turn it around at the appropriate time for the class - or when you say  -    He sets us out into a dark world to shine for Him. 

Then Invitation:

As you can see there are three flowers on our pumpkin,  each one stands for something very special.   This first flower represents grace.  God through His grace has provided a way for salvation.  We could never live good enough to make it to heaven on our own good works.  The bible teaches that if we have broken even one of the commandments we are guilty of all.  The bible also teaches us that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

The second flower represents faith.  Faith is belief in action.  God loved us and had mercy on us.  He sent us a Savior even though we did not deserve one.  Jesus paid our sin debt.  Because the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal  life through Christ alone.  (Not of works lest any man should boast).

The third flower represents confessing.  When we understand that we are sinners and see our need for salvation.  We would be willing to admit we are sinful and have a desire to become a child of God.   God's desire is that we become part of His family.  The family of God.  He wants to be your father and you His child.  If we confess our sins He's faithful and just to forgive us our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness .  Jesus died for you personally.  He paid your sin debt.  In victory He arose from the dead, Just as you will be made alive in your heart.  Living your life to please our Father and no longer live to please yourself. 

In humility He wants you to pray, prayer does not save you, but it is evidence of a life humbled before God with a real desire and a real belief in what God has provided for you. Accepting Christ through Faith and taking Him at His Word. You are forgiven. There is now no more condemnation - (no more guilt or shame) you are justified - and declared innocent in His sight.

Your debt was paid through Christ Jesus our Lord.

This Is His Gift To You.

Verses:

Romans 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

Ephesians  2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Ephesians  2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Romans  3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

1John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Romans  3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Ro mans 8:1 ¶ There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You.

Summer Soon Ends

Summer Soon Ends

By Susan Y Nikitenko

September 2009

Summer is beautiful, arrayed with the Black Eyed Susan,

shimmering, with seas of daisy fields.

It swarms with bees, bugs and butterflies that dance, swirl and spin;

And the cherry trees bring forth their yield.

The delicious smells of picnic cookouts fill the noon day;

Family’s reunions meet in the park.

Wonderful sounds of laughter can be heard from all around;

And the chime of horseshoes until dark.

Playfully children catch the evening hour fireflies;

The crickets cry out with songs of cheer.

One can hear a guitar playing on a neighbor’s front porch;

And the frogs deep croaking by the pier.

Summer soon comes to an end and life starts to fade away ;

The seasons come and the seasons go.

We have health and vitality for only a season;

To work the plow, to water, to grow.

For the season will soon end, health will soon fall away;

Like the colorful leaves in the fall.

So work the ground, be busy planting seed while there is time.

And extend your hand with truth to all.

Live summer, giving your youth to the cause of Christ our King

Your best years spent, your best years given,

In serving , in loving, in worshiping, in honoring;

Because by grace you are forgiven.

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You.