“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first” (1 Thessalonians 4:16 NKJV).

I’ve spent a bit of time in Thessaloniki in Northern Greece.
Thessalonica (also Thessalonike) was an ancient city of Macedon in northern Greece which today is the city of Thessaloniki. Made capital of the Roman province of Macedon, the city flourished due to its location on the major trade route to the east and continued to thrive as one of the most important cities in the Byzantine Empire. Its prosperity and cultural reputation attracted such figures as Paul the Apostle, Roman emperor Galerius, Cicero, and Lucian over the centuries. Substantial archaeological remains have been excavated and a Roman triumphal arch still stands as one of the city’s most famous landmarks. Thessalonica is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
I’ve walked the harbor, and then up to the overlooking stone walls which seemed to take forever walking up the road and of course the Via Egnatia right thru the heart of town. (Great Starbucks not far away.)
The Via Egnatia (Greek: Ἐγνατία Ὁδός Egnatía Hodós) was a road constructed by the Romans in the 2nd century BC. It crossed Illyricum, Macedonia, and Thracia, running through territory that is now part of modern Albania, North Macedonia, Greece, and European Turkey as a continuation of the Via Appia.

Thessaloniki is a beautiful harbor city. Paul wrote to the church, there, from Corinth. I’ve read this passage there. The people of the Corinthian church were difficult people and challenged Paul at every opportunity. Wickedness prevailed throughout the Roman Empire. The things Paul wrote about were those activities that the Lord Himself said were evil.

How do we go from evil to Godly? Jesus Christ.
How do we live Godly lives? Jesus Christ.
What do we have as a resource to combat evil in our own personal lives? Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ is God’s everything. Without Him we do not have access to the Father. Without Jesus everything we are trying to do is but wood, hay and stubble. Jesus is Lord.

THAT DAY
It was a beautiful, sunny day. The air was crisp. All seemed right.
Yet God was far from the hearts of people. They lived only for themselves.
Everything was greed, selfishness and wickedness.

Not as mankind defined it, all were satisfied in their way.
Has God said was the daily cry. If it feels good do it their heart song.
No barriers. No limits. Might made right. Gold ruled.

Christ defeated death. Raised by the power of God He rules.
Just a step away in Heaven. Existence is ruled by Him.
All things exist and are held together by His power. He is the Creator.

Today evil and wickedness have come to full bloom.
God steps off His throne. Jesus steps from heaven to this world.
With a shout, all the dead in Christ shall rise.

But we are not left behind. That same shout translates us from here to there.
All will gather at the feet of Jesus. No more tears. This world left behind.
We will rule together with Him forever and ever and ever.

Clay Corvin February 24, 2021

Merciful God, Father, Your precious mercies are renewed each day
Great is Your Faithfulness, steadfast Your love
With the rising of the sun, You renew our chance to get it right
People count, You love people, You call us to love people like You do

We experience Your lovingkindness, we are desperate for Your presence
That calls us to love others as You love us, it fills the spiritual hole in our heart
Bringing us to understanding, expressing our fear, our reverence
We will do as You say Father, we will, we will, we will

Today I, we, all of us purpose to be Your servant, wanting to serve You
Self raises its ugly head, wanting what it wants when it wants it, ignoring God
Help us Father, we need You before we strike out on our own
Doing things our way, ignoring God’s way, Jesus intercede

God is love, He is merciful, He is kind, He is forgiving
Yet we stretch the hem of the garment, we cannot change the past
We cannot see tomorrow, filled with tragedy, overwhelming with grief
Jesus says “beloved let us love one another,” now while there is time

Promises, promises, God forgives in Christ
He laid out our life, a walk of forgiveness, but we digress
Forgetting is our strong suit, ignoring Christ’s way our inclination
But God in Christ never forgets us, He will never leave us

Great is our God, great is our God, His love never fails
His ways are different than our ways, His love complete, total
Reaching out to us, Jesus comes looking for us, saving us unto eternity, life like God’s life
Today is God’s day, He loves us, He is saving us, His love never fails

My life counts, Jesus has indelibly stamped me as His
You count, Christ calls me to love you, to forgive you, to ease your journey
I serve you, in serving you I find me, joy and peace follow me every day
Jesus is Lord, I serve my great and wonderful Savior, great is our God

Clay Corvin    November 25, 2020

WHAT DO YOU DO?

Heartache, pain, the world rocking your life?
Every step you make, every breath you take
Chaos aplenty, failure and despair reign
Your anxiety seldom ceasing, always challenging you
What do you do? Put your eyes on Jesus

We are buried with Christ in baptism, raised in newness of life
Lies resound “you are forgotten,” “you’ve been abandoned”
Mental tapes remind you of every failure
You are hidden with Christ in God, He will never leave youJesus is seeking you, Put your eyes on Jesus

Jesus is seated at the right hand of God, now, always
Look up where your salvation resides, in Christ, He is our Savior
Look up, set your affections on things above, let go of the world
Set aside the lust of the flesh, bend the knee to Jesus
Put your eyes on Jesus, never look away

Give your heart to Jesus, He is there for you
Salvation is for right now, we belong to Him
Jesus never hides from you, He is here now
Reaching out to you, He knows the troubles you have
Put your eyes on Jesus, spend time with Him

Feet on the Earth, mind on Christ, keeps you growing in Jesus
You are just passing through, this world is not your home
Your home is in heaven, you will live there with Jesus
When you are absent from the body, you will be present with Christ
Put your eyes on Jesus, no one can destroy you

Earthly things aren’t all bad, we live here, but not for long
Jesus calls us to be different than the world, be salt and light
Model the character of Christ, Jesus is God’s everything
Distractions are Satan’s weapons, what we think matters
Put your eyes on Jesus, let Him control your mind

Put your hope in Jesus, He will never fail you, Christ is your life
Everything changes when your hope is in Jesus, He cares for you
When He comes back, you will be with Him, nothing can destroy you
Keep your eyes on Jesus, He is Lord of all, He loves you
Put your eyes on Jesus, He is our hope

Clay Corvin November 11, 2020

Psalm 119:97-104 THINK ABOUT IT!

I love God’s Word, its depth and completeness
I’m reminded I need to think about it, contemplate it
Meditate on the Word, let it soak into my mind and my heart
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, prophesied in the Old, expounded in the New
Christ is my Savior the Bible explains Him Genesis to Revelation

Holy, holy, holy, God’s Word says to you, walk this way, it is life
Talk this way, you will grow, behave this way wisdom will be revealed to you

His Word instills jealousy for God, it seeps into your pores, capturing your soul
When others deny, disparage and gloat; you feel the pain of evil, God is in control

The Word is promise built, one word upon another, God the author
He will not ignore nor change a single word He knows the end from the beginning

The more I read it, the longer I meditate upon it, it grabs my inner being, my soul
God is in control, He is in control of me, His Word instills obedience in me

I cannot tolerate the false way, sin seeks to deceive and seduce us, I will not
His Word gives us the wisdom we need to walk in Christ’s footsteps
We learn His way, we listen to His voice, His Word is strong and sure
The wisdom of all ages is waiting for us, our Father gives it freely, ask and receive
Today is God’s day, I am breathing His air, I love His Word, a blessing to me

Clay Corvin October 19, 2020
Northport, Alabama

WHO IS LIKE GOD? Micah
Today, sin is forgotten, sin from our past not counted
Judgment an idea that is seen as passe, this is a new day!
Ah, but God’s Word says: everyone will die
Everyone will be held accountable, we cannot change that

The World had a beginning, it will have an ending
God says at the end there will be judgment
People who live as if there is no judgment are fools
There is nothing more certain than judgment

From His Holy Temple our God, the only true God
“Hear folks, all of you, this is a wake up call
Judgment is coming swiftly and is in process
Beginning with my people”

Constantly God’s Word is going forth
Even now exacting judgment, His judgment is in process
God is active in the affairs of the nations
He is coming in judgment and no one is exempt

God is a God of mercy, but something terrible has happened
No more waiting, God’s patience is over, Yahweh is on the move
Mountains are melting like water, God is moving in the World
Mankind’s sin is serious, God is slow to wrath, sin causes Him to act

We need to take sin seriously, grace expands God’s judgment
Sin can be forgiven, but people ignore God and sin explodes
Our God is a God of love, A God of mercy
He is being stirred to wrath, He has no choice but judgment

God is sovereign, He has control over all creation
People count with God, He sent Jesus to die for our sin
His death paid a price we cannot pay, providing a gift we cannot earn
New life in Christ, a new heart, a new mind, a new master

God does not count with mankind, ignorance and ignominy rule
Sin abounds, evil controls, people disavow any knowledge of the Almighty
Which does not change the fact that God is in control
It simply brings judgment, this is a desperate situation, we need to listen

We must take judgment seriously, listen to what the Lord has to say
Listen to the Lord, let Him have your heart, listen to the Lord
He is coming even now in judgment
What will you do? Choose the Lord, turn to Jesus

Clay Corvin October 10, 2020

God says “follow Me” to be blessed
Do not wander around moved by emotion
Steady steps, straight the path
Following directions clearly displayed
By His Word and His Ways

Never alone, listen, God directs
His law calls to attention
Obedience and gratitude express our relationship
Effectively communicated by attitude
Efficiently displayed by what we do

I stand in awe of You Lord
You complete me
You fill that God hole in my soul
My life is valuable because of You
Teach me Your ways

Your discipline holds my hand
Wisdom teaches me the danger of a wandering life
Your Word guides me
I will do what you say
Promise me you will never leave me

Clay Corvin August 10, 2020

Romans 8:34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died–more than that, who was raised–who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 

Hebrews 7: 25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

All around us is chaos, confusion and fear.  People are desperate.  Jobs lost.  Businesses bankrupt.  What in the world can we do?  

DO NOT FEAR- Jesus is praying for you right now.  It is hard to comprehend the depth and breadth of Jesus’ relationship with each one of us.  Difficult to understand His love for us.  But He does and He is intimately involved in the mechanism of our life and God’s Word says Jesus is so concerned for us that He is praying for us right now.  

         REFRESHING- I find it refreshing that Jesus is intimately involved in and concerned about the things in my life.  

         ENCOURAGING- It is encouraging to me that when I go to Christ in prayer He is already praying for me, my life and what I am facing.

         TRUTH- As much as the evil one tries to cut out of society and convince us that we are alone, adrift, a loser-Jesus is actively involved in praying for us in the spiritual realm, about the physical things that we are facing.  WE ARE NEVER ALONE!  Jesus always has our back.  He knows what we are facing and is consistently seeking to help us take that next step.  

SPEND TIME WITH JESUS- Christ is interested in our presence-body, soul and spirit.  Begin now spending time with Jesus listening to Him, reading the Written Word of God as we spend time with the Word of God.  There is a great battle going on in the spiritual realm seeking to destroy us and Jesus outfits us to fight that spiritual where we cannot see, touch or get a grip on our opponent.  This is a real battle and it is raging all around us.  In American today people don’t think about spiritual beings, especially those that are opposing God but that doesn’t change the fact that you and I are involved in a war in the spiritual realm.  Jesus equips us with the wisdom, mercy and grace that we need to face this spiritual battle.  Spend time with Jesus.  

STUDY GOD’S WORD- there is great strength and power for you to face every situation you come against in the Word of God.  It is God’s spoken Word in a written format and it is God’s instruction manual for our life.  U 

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 

         Psalm 91:2 I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
My God, in whom I trust!”

         Psalm 27:5 For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. 

         Psalm 31:19-20 19 Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!  20 In the cover of your presence you hide them from the plots of men; you store them in your shelter from the strife of tongues. 

         Psalm 71:3 Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come; you have given the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. 

         Proverbs 14:26. In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge.

         Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe. 

Psalm 18:2-3  The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 

3 I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. 

JESUS IS PRAYING FOR YOU!

The Lord God is your strength.  He will carry you through the hopelessness and fear of this current situation to a position of confidence in Him and an understanding of where your strength is.  God will make a way.  Christ will never leave you.  Use this time to undergird your relationship with the Lord in Christ Jesus.  Remember God is God and we are not.  

JESUS IS PRAYING FOR YOU

Fear today, gone tomorrow
God stands ready 
Call to Him, He will steady
Your life, your heart, your fears

The battle is won
In the hearts and minds 
As we struggle in the spiritual realm
We can’t even see what we are facing

Everyday Jesus will wipe our tears away
Even when no one can see them
The truth is the battle rages 
A war going on in our hearts

Turn to Jesus, He is praying for you
Let Christ have your heart
His desire is to strengthen you
To face every days battle

With strength, and hope
Confidence growing
Jesus loves you
Giving you level ground to stand on

No longer at the mercy of the world
The flesh and the devil
Your growth developed on the battlefield 
Where Jesus wins your day

Clay Corvin 4/26/20

A super star, the life of the party
She has an inner light that shines thru all she does
A glamourous, kind, gentle woman
Who creates a life of joy and peace for so many she impacts to this day

People want to be with her, to be like her
She has a passionate love for life and people
She cares, she gives, she forgives in an amazing Christlike way
Reaching out to others
She encourages and uplifts them in a unique and valued way

Rosemary loves her family, deeply, consistently
Through thick and thin
Through sickness and health

People care about her
Because she values them
She protects them
She is a caregiver for Jesus

She sees life through Christ’s eyes
Dependable, determined, diligent
She has an alertness and attentiveness
Uncommon in most folks

Compassionate and creative
Loyal and joyful
Humble
She is a resourceful, bright light in a dark world

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus is her heartbeat
Family, family, family is her lifeblood
So proud to know her, so proud to call her friend

Clay Corvin
March 25, 2020

Lord spend time with me, I will sit still and listen
Lord speak to me, my heart is stilled, I’m focused on You
You made this day, call my heart to rejoice in it
Though the mountains quake, the Earth tremble
You are God most high, I trust in You

Lord, I’m in our favorite place, I meet You here regularly
I am striving to do that every day, when I am away I cloister with You
You are my protection, from now until forever
I sit with You, peace descends like a cloud enveloping me
You are God most high, I trust in You

I called this meeting every morning, noon and night
Yet I am Your guest, You encourage me to come and sit
Your comfort fills me from my heart out, even to the daily pain I feel
Every day with You is better than the day before, every moment, every hour
You are God most high, I trust in You

Reverently I abide in Your presence, no presumption, You invited me here
I rest in You Almighty God, King of Kings and Lord of Lords
I trust You, Father, You bend near to listen to me as I speak
I believe in You, You are my refuge from trouble, my fortress in debacles
You are God most high, I trust in You

Oh Lord You are my invisible protection from invisible dangers
You bring me great wisdom, guiding my heart and my feet
You Lord bind evil, preserve me from pestilence and shroud me with truth
You take my fear day and night, removing cowardice from my soul
You are God most high, I trust in You

Evil may be near, but not my destruction
Chaos may fill the air, You speak to me of Your protection, Great is the Lord
Failure and heartache may overwhelm me, victory calls my name
Praise the Lord in the closeness of life, Praise the Lord for His watch-care over me
You are God most high, I trust in You

Clay Corvin
March 16, 2020

The Lord is thinking about me, right now
He has complete knowledge of each and every thing I do
I live and function in His presence all the time
I am important to Him, what I say and do are critical
He is waiting for me to ask Him to help me

Our God and Father is wonderful
He brings practical simplicity to our relationship
He paid the price, we reap the rewards
His presence will lead, guide and direct us in the way we should go
His desire is that we become more like Jesus each day

His love and affection is present
His mercies and grace are renewed each day
No matter what we did yesterday
He provides a fresh start today
Giving us what we need and cannot earn

I am a servant, called to serve those I can see
Simply because I won’t serve those I cannot see
I can trust Jesus for help and deliverance
Praying each day about those around me in great need
Lord help me to be Your hands and feet, sharing you will all I meet

Clay Corvin February 26, 2020