It Is Finished

So, this poem was inspired by the service at church this morning.  According to John 19:30, Jesus' last three words before He died were, "It is finished."  So much is packed into these three words, and hopefully this poem expands a little on that, but my prayer is that this poem ultimately leads us to rejoicing in the fact that, indeed, IT IS FINISHED!

"It is finished."

Were the words that He said.

"It is finished!"

Was His cry as He bled.

Perfect sacrifice -

There for all to see.

It is finished.

It is finished,

By His works, not our own.

It is finished.

We're saved by grace alone.

Though it cost Him His life,

It was meant to be.

It is finished.

It is finished.

These words changed history.

It is finished.

We are pardoned - set free.

I no longer live,

But Christ lives in me.

It is finished.

It is finished.

What a victory won!

It is finished.

He truly was God's Son.

He could have held on,

But He gave selflessly.

Yes, indeed, IT IS FINISHED!


©Stephen Khu
2013

Take Your Stand

Life seems to be slowing down a little, and so I have found that I have a bit more time to write.  Last night I had the opportunity to have a chat with some friends.  I was blessed that they would open up the way they did with me being present, and I was very encouraged by what they had to say.  Heading back to my room after that conversation, I felt the urge to write.  Here, then, is the poem inspired by my friends, and I pray that it might be an encouragement to all who read it.  It's entitled:  "Take Your Stand".

Take Your Stand

You throw your head to the wind,

Trusting that God's got you.

For there is no height nor depth,

That He can't lead you through.

Sure, you might doubt...stumble...fall,

But He'll always stay true.

He'll pick you up; dust you off,

To transform and renew.

Others may strive against you,

And therein lies the test.

Will you heed their "sound" advice?

Do they really know best?

Does God say something different?

Do you, His Word, ingest?

Or do you simply ignore Him,

Despite your own interest?

Stand strong!  Unmoved in your faith.

Let others see your grit,

That they may be encouraged...

That they too may not quit.

That others might come to Christ,

That all may benefit.

For, this world is not the end.

We're just here in transit.

Let them see the hope in you,

As you sojourn in this land.

Share your faith; make a difference.

Pay heed to Christ's command.

Take up your cross and follow.

Go!  Learn from Him firsthand.

Boldly live your life for Him,

And boldly take your stand!

©Stephen Khu 2012

My Heart Is Breaking

It's been almost 12 months since I last posted anything up here, and I'm not 100% sure when my next post will be.  I also haven't written anything since the previous poem that I posted, so it's been a while and I have certainly missed writing!

I don't know that this is going to be quite what you were expecting when you read the title of this post.  While it does mix some strong emotions, these are the words I hear God crying out (hence why it's written in first person) to anyone, particularly those in a "Christianized" society, who do not yet have a personal relationship with Him.  These are the lyrics to my new song:  My Heart Is Breaking

My Heart Is Breaking

 V1

 You pass me by

As though I'm just not there

My Name you cry

Although you don't really care

Am I nothing to you?

Oh, why can't you see?

I gave all I am;

I gave all I have

For you on Calvary

C

My heart is breaking for you.

Won't you see Me standing here?

My arms are open for you.

I'm never far; I'm always near.

Why won't you turn from your own ways?

Live with Me for the rest of your days?

My heart is breaking for you.

V2

No other name

Saves, but the name of Christ

Only He can lead

Out of darkness into light

Won't you drop your burdens

At the foot of the cross?

Christ was crucified.

Now He's raised to life,

So that you could be free!

B

So just cry out,
And I will hear.
I feel your pain;
See every tear.
You are my child,
And I love you.
So call My Name;
Live life anew.

©Stephen Khu 2012

A Life of Love

It's the life that each and every Christian ought to be living, right?  The two greatest commandments = Love God and love your neighbour.  Why?  How?  What's this look like?  It's so hard!  I'm tired of trying!  Perhaps there are other questions/frustrations as well.

I have been seriously challenged these last couple of weeks through my readings and through life in general.  Why do I do what I do?  Especially when things don't seem to be working out...can't I just can it?  Throw in the shovel? 

Simple answer = Christ. 

He didn't give up.  Even when the whole world turned against Him, He persevered.  He walked the road to Calvary.  Why?  Because of love.  Because His Father loves.  Because His Father loves you and I.  Because of His Father's love, Christ walked a path few today choose to follow whole-heartedly.  However, there are those who still do.  Will I/you be one of those?  Am I/Are you prepared to love so much so as to lose my/your life for the sake of love?

John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

God helping me, in the big things and, particularly, in the small, I will live a life of love.  The following is a poem I wrote on Sunday morning, May 15, 2011.  May you be blessed and challenged by it.

A Life of Love



Through all the trials and pain,

Bearing my sin and shame,

God showed His love.

He gave His only Son

So that I might learn

How to love.

To love as Christ loves the Church;

To lay my own will down;

To give of all that is within me

For the sake of a Heavenly crown.

To forfeit my own desires

For those of my Father above;

To live the life of a bondservant -

A life of servitude with love.

Some take it for granted -

Expecting nothing less

Than to be loved.

But, it's a two-way street,

For He first loved us,

And He wants our love.

For us to love Him so much more

Than we love ourselves;

To have a love found deep within us -

A love which Christ's love, in us, compels.

Compels us to give all we have -

In patience, in joy, in suff'ring.

Though others may not respond in love,

Our love we give - an offering.

Not for the sake of pride

But because of the cross -

That's why we love.

Our debt was paid that day.

Our sins were washed away.

No greater love!

There was nothing left undone;

No stone was left unturned.

His pursuit for perfect communion -

A long-term goal for which He had yearned.

His love now reigning within us,

Comes with a command from above:

No matter whatever, wherever -

We are to live a life of love.

© Stephen Khu

15-05-2011

At The Cross

For the first time in a while, I have been attending a church that partakes of communion each Sunday morning.  At the same time, I have been having this sense of drawing closer to Christ and have been continually awed by the work that was accomplished both on the cross and in the days following.  On Sunday afternoon, pretty much as soon as I returned from church, I grabbed my Bible and a notebook and headed to the Hudson Room at college, where I sat down and chilled with the piano.  After doing some warm-ups and playing through a couple of other songs, I decided to put my head down and try cranking out another song.  I began by praying that God would lead my thoughts.  As I prayed, I had this growing amazement and awe welling up within me as my mind continued to turn to the cross, and I really felt God leading me to write something to match.  The name of the song that was written that afternoon I have entitled "At The Cross" and the lyrics have been posted here for God's glory and for your encouragement.

At The Cross

Selflessly, You gave at the cross -

A sacrifice to save the lost.

You chose Your Father's will,

And gave it all for us.

Selflessly, You died upon that cross.

There on that day

They heard You say,

"Father, forgive them.

They know not what they do."

The whole earth shook,

And it trembled

As the Father turned

His face away.

Oh, the price He chose to pay.

Thankfully, it did not finish there -

On the third day the tomb was found bare.

He is risen from the grave;

Death has lost its sting.

Jesus Christ is alive - He's here today!

Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

Holy is the Lord Almighty!

Worthy is the Lamb

To receive

All the glory,

And the honour

And the power forevermore.

© Stephen Khu 2011

Completely Surrendered

This morning's message at church was about living in fellowship with other people and, rather than being selfish, handing over to an unlimited God my limited supply of time, patience, etc., allowing Him to use me for His glory wherever I am, whatever I am doing.  As I pondered over the message, the words "completely surrendered" came to mind.  In order to follow in the footsteps of Christ, I need to be completely surrendered to God.  Regardless of how much or how little I am able to give, if I surrender all of my thoughts, wants, abilities, etc. to God, then He is able to use me to my full potential.  From all these thoughts, came this song, which I have called "Completely Surrendered."

Completely Surrendered

V1

Created to live in unity

Not created to be alone

Created to live what we believe

Not created with hearts of stone

Pre-Chorus

Let the words of Truth sink deep

Transforming our lives anew

We give up our own desires

To bring glory back to You

Chorus 1

Completely surrendered

Here we stand

Make us a beacon

Of light in this land

Shedding light for all to see

Your power, love and majesty

V2

What little we have we give to You

All Your purposes to fulfill

Take this offering we bring You now

Lord, in us Your Spirit instill

 Chorus 2

Completely surrendered

All for You

Show us

What You'd have us do

Here we stand forever Yours

Completely surrendered to You

No Other Name

So, now that I'm settling into a different routine at college, I find that my Sunday afternoons are extremely relaxing and I end up with quite a bit of time on my hands.  To fill the time productively, I have decided to spend time writing songs...praying that with God's inspiration I might be able to churn out a song each week/time I sit down to do so.  Two Sundays ago I sat down on the front verandah intent on writing something.  I had so many thoughts running through my mind.  Where to start?  After spending a few minutes not getting anywhere, I bowed my head in prayer and asked God for guidance.  The Scripture passage I had been meditating on was the passage I have chosen to preach on when it is my turn to preach during Preaching class - Philippians 2:5-11.  The last few verses caught my attention and formed the basis for what came next - "Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."  Philippians 2:9-11  The proceeding song is entitled "No Other Name."

No Other Name

V1:

Holy God, Anointed One

Humbly we bow our knees

Our tongues confess

You are risen, Lord

The Christ, Who sets us free

No other name can go before

Prepare the way

Make rich the poor

No other name is there at all

By which kingdoms rise

And kingdoms fall

Chorus:

Yours is the Name above all names

Who can compare to Your greatness

The Name that heals

The Name that saves

No other name but Jesus

V2:

Immanuel – God with us

The Alpha and Omega

The Prince of Peace

El Shaddai

The one and only Saviour

No other name can move the mountains

Dry up the sea

Or calm the storm

No other name can forgive sinners

Raise the dead

And replace the norm