Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. – Hebrews 13:17 (NKJV)

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my soul awaits the  sunset hues…

                  dawn, so long ago—

troubles of the day, be gone

                  and let me feel God’s peace,

permit the setting sun to give this body rest.

© Chrissy Siggee
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
From my book:     Glimpses of His Glory – (the book)

Archived in: Christian Reads

Psalm 103:1 tells us that “Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.”

A recent visit by the coast had me reminiscing about the days spent writing my first book. As I breathed in the seaside freshness, it stimulated the desires that once beckoned me to explore the dream. Pale pink clouds caressed the sunrise like a morning hug. Birds sang praises to welcome the dawn.

My thoughts reached out as in a dream, capturing a peace within my soul. While the sun elevated slowly into a glowing sky, words surged forth like a shifting stream. My fingers moved quickly to keep up with the flow of thoughts. My heart was overwhelmed by the outpouring of phrases previously unknown. There’s something about the break of day that gives freshness to the mind and releases expression onto a page.

Immersed in my writing, I was still aware of the increasing brightness filling the sky beyond the open window, but I was also conscious of the glow within my inner being. If there is ever a place I feel in harmony with God, it’s when I’m absorbed in writing. To not write would create an empty cavern in my life.

My desire is to praise Him through words inspired by creation. My hopes and dreams rest in knowing that He is the only one I need to bring joy and delight.

Father, let Your Word penetrate my soul. You are the author of my faith. Allow me, Lord, to bring joy and delight to your heart in return. May the words I write be inspired by your love and grace. Amen.

© Chrissy Siggee 2012

Scripture Verses used are from the New International Version of the Bible

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Matthew 18:4 – Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Humility speaks to me of meekness and being humble. I often think I’m not as humble as I ought, yet humility is a requirement of our faith.

I have seen the way the Lord works in the lives of those who show humility in what they do and say and, quite often, how they demonstrate their kindness to those around them. I see the rewards of their actions and the gentleness they demonstrate in their everyday lives. In whatever they do, their actions speak the humility they possess.

I’ve also witnessed the fall of the arrogant and proud.  Too many successful leaders fall because of pride. They allow success to be their ambition rather than Christ their goal.  They begin to believe in their own ability rather than Christ’s through them.

So how do we keep a balance?

Without Christ we are nothing and because we have Christ in our lives, we have worth and purpose. There is nothing wrong with feeling good about what Christ has done for us but we need to realize he doesn’t make us great.

Be willing to live the success that God has given us through humble acknowledgement of the source.

Father, show us how humility can speak through us by our actions. Help us to live humbly and to your purpose and keep from being proud and haughty, but demonstrate the true source of our abilities. Amen.

© Chrissy Siggee 2019

Scripture Verses used are from the New International Version of the Bible

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Heal me, LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise. – Jeremiah 17:14

Most of us have prayed for healing at some time in our life. Some of us have prayed more often than we can count and still we are not healed.

Does he hear us? Does He care?

Yes, I believe God cares and He does hear us. I also believe that He desires good health for all His children, but if healing does not appear to come, we must understand that God has a much bigger perception of our lives.

Although God does heal, we must never presume that it’s His duty to heal. It’s not mandatory for Him to heal us, and although there were many miracle healings throughout the Bible, there were many times when God did not heal pain and suffering straight away – but He did work with it for good.

Romans 5:3-5 says: “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

Here God responded to Paul’s prayers for healing not by making him well but rather by working through his suffering to draw him closer to God.

I often desire God’s healing and I honestly believe He can heal me but I also know I need to continue to wait on Him and to trust Him with my life.

2 Corinthians 12: 9 tells us that His grace is sufficient for us, because His power is made perfect in our weakness.

May God give you peace in the knowledge that He will work with your suffering and pain for good.

Father, I pray that you will comfort me in my suffering and fill me with confidence that in the power of your grace, that even when I am afraid, I may put my whole trust in you; through our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen

© Chrissy Siggee 2019

Scripture Verses used are from the New International Version of the Bible

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Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. – 1 Chronicles 16:34 (NIV)

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Below the frozen ground he waits,
In restless sleep he lies,
Protected from the wind and rain
That flow from steely skies.

Cold winter snows begin to melt
Revealing nature’s best—
Unknown strength begins to rise
Boldness to pass the test.

Day by day he stretches forth
With courage new life brings—
Timeless changes make him soar
On flights of eagle’s wings.

Freshness comes with gentle rains,
Relieves the summer’s heat;
Power bleeds through woody veins—
A weakness to defeat.

Daring he saluted cloudless skies,
Graceful and upright, bold
Visions to capture for his own—
A splendour to behold.

Autumn leaves fall all around
Like graceful butterflies;
Limbs grow stronger every year
And reaches to the skies.

He stretches out to fill the air,
Stands bold beside his peers;
With his solid strength and power,
He’ll stand for many years.

Seasons come and seasons go,
Grand valour takes its place,
No longer swayed by winds of time—
Grown to majestic grace.

Daring to pass the test of time,
He gazes down to see
God’s design of might and courage—
Boldness in a cedar tree.

© Chrissy Siggee

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
From my book: Glimpses of His Glory

Archived in: Christian Reads

God, you have filled my mornings with praise

 You have set apart this hour with me

 Excitement reaches into my heart and soul…

 You consume my mind with assurance.

© Chrissy Siggee
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
From my book  Glimpses of His Glory 🦋

Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads

Hebrews 11:1 tells us: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (NIV)

Ephesians 3:16-19 says: “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.” (KJV)

Without faith, I’m nothing.  Faith is a part of me, the hope of my salvation, and all that I live for and all that I do. Life is not an easy road and it’s not a perfect one.

Life can be the pits – Life can be lonely – Life can be full of pain.

But, life without faith is no life at all.

When news spread that Jesus had risen from the grave, Thomas wanted to see Jesus before he would believe it. Faith believes in something before it’s seen. Not the other way around.

2 Corinthians 5:7 clearly says: For we walk by faith, not by sight.

We all need Faith even just a little.

Matthew 17:20 – “And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” (KJV)

When I was confined to bed in 2018, I struggled with a lot of things, but faith in the Father, I never doubted. Days of pain drove me to tears and misery. Sometimes I couldn’t even pray for myself. I didn’t have to. I knew that the Great Physician would bring me through.

Simple? No. It was probably the worst year of my entire life.

My favourite Bible verses during those bleakest days and sleepless nights were from:

Matthew 9:21-22 – For she said within herself, if I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

Living by faith is a way of life – Life is living by faith – Faith is believing

Father, we sometimes feel in times of pain and loneliness that our faith is weak. Teach us, help us, to keep believing even when we don’t see answers. Show us how to walk by faith and not by sight. Amen.

© Chrissy Siggee  first published in 2012 Revised in 2019
Scripture Verses used are from the New International Version of the Bible

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This poem was written in October 2022 by my friend Hannah after the death of a nine-month-old boy who, with his family attended the congregation Hannah attends. With the permission from Hannah, and Aguin’s family, I’m honoured to share the poem on Riverside Peace.

The Loss of Aguin

Please don’t say, “It can’t hurt that bad,”
When I speak of Joy in pain.

Nor, “She can’t have loved him much,”
When I speak of Peace the same.

No. The grief, it burns like fire:
Searing my heart.
              Numbing my mind.
                        Dulling my senses.

Dead.
My son is dead.
His body in the ground.

And off with him go fifty years
Of watching him grow,
          Making him laugh,
                 Holding his child…

Fifty years I’ll never see,
For nine months in, he went to be
With the One who made him –
Far from me…

Oh, help! The grief! It burns like fire,
 Searing the heart,
              Numbing the mind,
                     Dulling the senses.
                             … Dead…

Peace. Quiet, gentle Peace,
With powerful force I can’t comprehend,
Trickles through the smokey blackness
And holds me.

I hurt.

I’m numb.
I hurt.

By turns –
Around and around, it goes.

But, never shaking,
Never changing,
Always remaining a wall around me,
His Peace never lets me go.

And Joy?
How can I think of joy,
Much less claim it to be mine?

Ach, this Joy – it almost aches;
And I am sure it cries.
It’s as close a cousin to ‘sad’ as ‘happy’,
For it knows depth,
         It knows meaning,
                    It knows hurt…
                                  And it knows hope, of the confident kind.

Ah, the grief… it burns like fire.
Searing my heart.
     Numbing my mind.
            Dulling my senses…

Yes. It burns.
But it won’t consume.
For, wrapped in His Peace
      Touched by His Joy,
          Sustained by His Love,

We know what He has promised…

     “And He who promised is faithful.”
                              Amen

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Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. – Hebrews 10:19-25

Have you been discouraged by someone you have respected and encouraged? Did you find this disheartening and possibly weakened your desire to continue to encourage others?

Words can either build up or pull down. We need to persevere in encouraging others in their faith— until He comes. This is a basic instruction from His Word. It’s not an option nor is it a ‘when we feel like it’ requirement.

There are times I have to stop and reflect on the needs and situations of others and sometimes I don’t feel like encouraging. For instance, when someone has left me less than encouraged. But in reality, it’s my responsibility to encourage others – no matter how I feel or what others may have done to me.

Don’t allow discouraging words to weaken your faith or neglect the gifts God has given you. Don’t allow disappointments prevent you from encouraging others.

Galatians 6:9 says “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up!”

Father, help me to keep my eyes on you. Strengthen me in times when I’m discouraged by others so that I may persevere in doing what is right. Help me to hold fast the profession of my faith in you without wavering. Amen.

© Chrissy Siggee – 2019

Scripture Verses used are from the New International Version of the Bible

Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads

Rainbow colours, glorious,
melt into scenic views –
Radiant through softened glow,
creating all things new.

Freshness lingers past the rain,
embracing nature’s charm –
God’s vibrant promises still proclaimed
with tender hues of calm.

Sunbeams gently stroke my face,
and Heaven’s warmth abides –
My spirit yearns for His embrace
and peace His touch provides.

He gently soothes a hurting heart,
and wipes away each tear –
With healing words, my grief departs
and sorrows disappear.

Assurance fills my life again –
beyond the clouds I see
Dreams and visions to explore
with a joyful heart that’s free.

Humbly now I worship my King,
fresh tears of joy I own.
With new words I begin to sing,
giving Him my life to hone.

© Chrissy Siggee
From my book Glimpses of His Glory    ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:18

I grew up in a Christian home and witnessed many answered prayers and God-orchestrated incidents regularly so perhaps believing was easy for me. I accepted Christ as my own personal Saviour and Lord at the age of six. I’ve been told it would be impossible for me to remember, but I do. I don’t remember every word spoken by the preacher, but I remember the powerful impact they had on me. I also remember the hymn that was sung by the choir. It still echoes in my head, even as I type this memory.

In my early teens, I couldn’t understand why my friends wouldn’t believe there was a God who created all things. The beauty of nature has always left me breathless and I suppose that’s why so many of my poems reflect my love for creation. I couldn’t understand why they laughed at me when I told them about Jesus.

Later, in my older teens years and early twenties, I worked with younger teens and again, I was mystified by the lack of faith I witnessed. I once invited a guest youth pastor to a weekly youth meeting.  He was very wise for his age and I was pleased he was because a small street gang came to that meeting. They were a little disruptive but mostly they were just being who they were and behaving the only way they knew how. When the speaker gave the invitation to seek Christ as their Lord, the smirks started. The response by this young pastor has stayed with me all these years and I’ve used his words once or twice in similar situations.

He said: “Consider for just a moment where you would spend eternity if you were to leave here tonight and be hit by a car or bus, or if another gang attacked and killed you on your way home. If you’re not a believer, allow yourself to ponder for a few minutes that if it was true, then what? And if you still don’t believe, I’ll accept it.”

Three of those gang members accepted Jesus that night.

I leave you with the words of that young pastor. “If you’re not a believer, allow yourself to ponder for a few minutes that if it was true, then what?”

Where will you spend eternity?

John 12:46 says: I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

© Chrissy Siggee

Scripture Verses used are from the King James Version of the Bible

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Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. – Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

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Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. – Romans 13:8 

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Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)

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