fighting Fire with Fire

an ancient response
buried deep within us
choosing to fight, to stand,
to run headlong into battle…
 
wanting to defeat
evil mustered against us
angry for their sins
harm they have committed…
 
losing our perspective
our place in creation
when we are held
in God’s loving hand…
 
we gear up for battle
when it is God’s to fathom
the appropriate punishment
for every sin…

-----  
Edited May 26, 2025
fighting Fire with Fire – v2
 
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 2, Day 2
May 11, 2025
fight fire with water
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/fight-fire-with-water.html
Based on #1Peter2:9-17
Sermon May 4, 2025
Griggs Memorial Baptist Church
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
==================
Poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, regeneration, resentment, anger, fear, memory, history, pain, hurt, sin,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #fear #resentment #anger #memory #history #pain #hurt #sin

draw nigh to God

draw nigh to God
to love Him first
turn from the world,
the way of all flesh…
 
incline your ear
to God’s whisper
God’s still small voice
as close as breath…
 
turn from the world
the way of all flesh
love God first,
in Him is our rest…

-----  
May 19, 2025
draw nigh to God
 
Based on #Mark7:21-23
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 4, Day 4
May 19, 2025
heirs through our hope
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/heirs-through-our-hope.html
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 4, Day 3
May 19, 2025
Name Your Sins
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/name-your-sins.html
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 4, Day 2
May 19, 2025
No Condemnation
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/no-condemnation.html
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 4, Day 1
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
==================
Poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, regeneration, resentment, anger, fear, pain, hurt, sin, Mark 7,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #fear #resentment #anger #pain #hurt #sin

heirs through our hope

heirs through our hope
of life, eternal life,
not held by our sins,
the stones in our walk,
that separate us from God…
 
we are saved to life
to an inheritance to come
to life at the end of our walk,
our days with joy, with purpose,
through the sacrifice of Christ…

-----  
May 19, 2025
heirs through our hope
 
Based on #Titus3:3-7
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 4, Day 3
May 19, 2025
Name Your Sins
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/name-your-sins.html
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 4, Day 2
May 19, 2025
No Condemnation
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/no-condemnation.html
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 4, Day 1
 
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
==================
Poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, regeneration, resentment, anger, fear, memory, history, pain, hurt, sin, Titus 3,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #fear #resentment #anger #memory #history #pain #hurt #sin

Name Your Sins

Seek the path of God
conform your steps
turn from the flesh
trust God with the truth…
 
Name your sins, your truth,
every way you have been disobedient,
wick them of their power
to control your life…
 
Be open and transparent,
leave nothing out
for God knows already
and Christ chose the cross…

-----  
May 19, 2025
Name Your Sins
 
Based on #Romans8:1-2
Based on #Colossians3:5-10
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 4, Day 1
May 19, 2025
No Condemnation
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/no-condemnation.html
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 4, Day 1
 
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
==================
Poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, regeneration, resentment, anger, fear, memory, history, pain, hurt, sin, Romans 8, Colossians 3,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #fear #resentment #anger #memory #history #pain #hurt #sin

No Condemnation

Come to the Father, transparent,
open your heart to Him,
God loves you immeasurably
sending His only Son
redeeming your soul forever
nailed to the rugged cross…
 
There is no condemnation
for any sin we confess
God knows everything already
that is why Christ died for us
because we could not quench
God’s wrath for what we had done…

-----  
May 19, 2025
No Condemnation
 
Based on #Romans8:1-2
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 4, Day 1
 
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
==================
Poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, regeneration, resentment, anger, fear, memory, history, pain, hurt, sin, Romans 8,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #fear #resentment #anger #memory #history #pain #hurt #sin

let Christ bring peace into your life

gather up your burdens, your sorrows,
your hurt, your guilt and your shame,
your struggles in this life
lay them down at the feet of Jesus Christ…
don’t hold them any longer
let Christ bring peace into your life,
our perfecter, the firstborn,
the exemplar of our faith…

-----  
May 12, 2025
let Christ bring peace into your life
 
Based on #John16:33
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 3, Day 5
May 12, 2025
pray for your tormentors
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/pray-for-your-tormentors.html
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 3, Day 4
May 12, 2025
eternal joy and glory
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/eternal-joy-and-glory.html
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 3, Day 3
May 12, 2025
Looking up instead
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/looking-up-instead.html
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 3, Day 3
May 12, 2025
be faithful today
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/be-faithful-today.html
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 3, Day 2
May 12, 2025
Surrender them to God
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/surrender-them-to-god.html
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 3, Day 1
May 12, 2025
Root out your fears
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/root-out-your-fears.html
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 3, Day 1
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
==================
Poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, regeneration, resentment, anger, fear, memory, history, pain, hurt, sin, John 16,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #fear #resentment #anger #memory #history #pain #hurt #sin

pray for your tormentors

pray for your tormentors, those
who have sinned against you
release your hands
around their throats
given them over to God…
 
pray for your tormentors, every one,
that they would repent of their evil,
for God will judge them rightly
His wrath will be poured out
for every sin against you…

-----  
May 12, 2025
pray for your tormentors
 
Based on #Romans 12:14,17-18
Based on #1Peter2:9-17
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 3, Day 3
May 12, 2025
eternal joy and glory
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/eternal-joy-and-glory.html
Based on #Hebrews12:2
Based on #2Corinthians4:16-18
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 3, Day 3
May 12, 2025
Looking up instead
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/looking-up-instead.html
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 3, Day 3
May 12, 2025
be faithful today
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/be-faithful-today.html
Based on #Matthew6:34
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 3, Day 2
May 12, 2025
Surrender them to God
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/surrender-them-to-god.html
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 3, Day 1
May 12, 2025
Root out your fears
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/root-out-your-fears.html
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 3, Day 1
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
==================
Poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, regeneration, resentment, anger, fear, memory, history, pain, hurt, sin, 2 Corinthians 4, Hebrews 12,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #fear #resentment #anger #memory #history #pain #hurt #sin

eternal joy and glory

our struggles but a moment
a breath before eternity
nothing when compared
to God’s reward…
 
eternal joy and glory
if we remain faithful
taking the name followers
of the risen Christ…
 
we do not have to worry
struggling in our spirits
our pain in this life
will be but a breath…

-----  
May 12, 2025
eternal joy and glory
 
Based on #Hebrews12:2
Based on #2Corinthians4:16-18
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 3, Day 3
May 12, 2025
Looking up instead
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/looking-up-instead.html
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 3, Day 3
May 12, 2025
be faithful today
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/be-faithful-today.html
Based on #Matthew6:34
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 3, Day 2
May 12, 2025
Surrender them to God
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/surrender-them-to-god.html
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 3, Day 1
May 12, 2025
Root out your fears
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/root-out-your-fears.html
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 3, Day 1
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
==================
Poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, regeneration, resentment, anger, fear, memory, history, pain, hurt, sin, 2 Corinthians 4, Hebrews 12,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #fear #resentment #anger #memory #history #pain #hurt #sin

Looking up instead

We see only struggle,
our day to day living,
We do not look up to heaven,
to see God’s plan working,
we only see our pain…
 
We must be transparent, hopeful,
seeking a heavenly perspective,
time and the eternal are with us,
Our hope, our destiny is with God,
not here on this earth…
 
We must look up to our future,
not looking at today, our struggle,
We must look to God’s promise,
to our home with Jesus,
in heaven above…

-----  
May 12, 2025
Looking up instead
 
Based on #Hebrews12:2
Based on #2Corinthians4:16-18
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 3, Day 3
May 12, 2025
be faithful today
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/be-faithful-today.html
Based on #Matthew6:34
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 3, Day 2
May 12, 2025
Surrender them to God
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/surrender-them-to-god.html
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 3, Day 1
May 12, 2025
Root out your fears
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/root-out-your-fears.html
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 3, Day 1
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
==================
Poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, regeneration, resentment, anger, fear, memory, history, pain, hurt, sin, 2 Corinthians 4, Hebrews 12,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #fear #resentment #anger #memory #history #pain #hurt #sin

be faithful today

don’t worry about tomorrow
farther into the future
focus on these steps
be faithful today…
 
God is merciful, sovereign,
Christ’s Spirit was with us
the troubles of today
should be our only focus…
 
lean into the tasks
life choices, decisions,
trust God in the present,
be faithful today…

-----  
May 12, 2025
be faithful today
 
Based on #Matthew6:34
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 3, Day 2
May 12, 2025
Surrender them to God
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/surrender-them-to-god.html
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 3, Day 1
May 12, 2025
Root out your fears
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/root-out-your-fears.html
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 3, Day 1
Edited May 12, 2025
Help me to release my pain – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/help-me-to-release-my-pain-v2.html
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 2, Day 2
Edited May 12, 2025
the origin story of my pain – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/the-origin-story-of-my-pain-v2.html
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
==================
Poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, regeneration, resentment, anger, fear, memory, history, pain, hurt, sin, Matthew 6,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #fear #resentment #anger #memory #history #pain #hurt #sin

Surrender them to God

 
your fears, your worries,
your ancient buried hurts
the stones, the chains you carry,
surrender them to God…
 
God wants you to be happy
to have abundance in this life
Christ is our sacrifice,
to restore us to God…
 
we don’t have to fear
to walk under these burdens,
share them openly, fully,
surrender them to God…
 
God wants you to be restored
to have joy in this life
Christ is the way, the gate,
to restore us to God…

-----  
May 12, 2025
Surrender them to God
 
Based on #Romans8:31-34
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 3, Day 1
May 12, 2025
Root out your fears
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/root-out-your-fears.html
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 3, Day 1
Edited May 12, 2025
Help me to release my pain – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/help-me-to-release-my-pain-v2.html
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 2, Day 2
May 12, 2025
fighting Fire with Fire
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/fighting-fire-with-fire.html
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 2, Day 2
May 11, 2025
fight fire with water
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/fight-fire-with-water.html
Edited May 12, 2025
the origin story of my pain – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/the-origin-story-of-my-pain-v2.html
Based on #Romans8:14-15
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 2, Day 5
May 10, 2025
Anger – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/anger-v2.html
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 2, Day 2
May 10, 2025
letting go of my anger
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/letting-go-of-my-anger.html
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 2, Day 2
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
==================
Poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, regeneration, resentment, anger, fear, memory, history, pain, hurt, sin, Romans 8,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #fear #resentment #anger #memory #history #pain #hurt #sin

Root out your fears

Root out your fears
don’t let them bind you
Give them to God
leave them at His feet…
 
Trust God fully
even when it is costly
Step out in faith
to do God’s will…
 
Root out your fears
the chains you carry
Cleave to God
the source of our strength…
 
Trust God fully
don’t turn from Him ever
Give God your will
your whole life…

-----  
May 12, 2025
Root out your fears
 
Based on #Romans8:31-34
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 3, Day 1
Edited May 12, 2025
Help me to release my pain – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/help-me-to-release-my-pain-v2.html
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 2, Day 2
May 12, 2025
fighting Fire with Fire
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/fighting-fire-with-fire.html
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 2, Day 2
May 11, 2025
fight fire with water
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/fight-fire-with-water.html
Edited May 12, 2025
the origin story of my pain – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/the-origin-story-of-my-pain-v2.html
Based on #Romans8:14-15
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 2, Day 5
May 10, 2025
Anger – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/anger-v2.html
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 2, Day 2
May 10, 2025
letting go of my anger
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/letting-go-of-my-anger.html
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 2, Day 2
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
==================
Poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, regeneration, resentment, anger, fear, memory, history, pain, hurt, sin, Romans 8,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #fear #resentment #anger #memory #history #pain #hurt #sin