6-22-15 Call

In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God:

and he did hear my voice out of his temple,

and my cry did enter into his ears.

2 Samuel 22:7 KJV

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Thank God you have the Lord that you can call

When in distress and frantic for His aid.

Be sure that He will hear you when you fall;

He understood your voice each time you prayed.

Don’t be afraid to seek the Savior’s help

When all seems lost and you have gone astray.

You may feel like a homeless, helpless whelp,

But call upon the Lord though you dismay.

There never is a time when Christ won’t hear;

If you are His you’re linked eternally.

The groanings of your heart in pain or fear

Within the grace of God will set you free.

Your cries will reach the temple of the Lord

You will not be unheard nor worse ignored.

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sonnet #395

6-2-15 Give When You’ve Got

¹³ For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:

¹⁴ But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:

¹⁵ As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.

2 Corinthians 8:13-15 KJV

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To love your neighbor as yourself is work,

But work that stems from love is worth the sweat,

And if you have abundance do not shirk

To give to those whose needs have not been met.

If your own children had no food to eat,

You’d ask your wealthy neighbor for some aid.

Then when you’ve gained your riches so complete,

Please help a hungry family who’s dismayed.

The scales of love are balanced when you give,

For we are all but equal in God’s eyes,

And even if your neighbor is a sieve,

Still love him as yourself – don’t compromise.

A man that gathers much has no surplus;

And he that gathers scant lacks nothing thus.

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sonnet #377

5-23-15 Grace-Full Gifts

⁶ Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

⁷ Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

⁸ Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

Romans 12:6-8 KJV

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We all have talents given us by grace

According to the nature of our soul;

Just as the body has each part in place

That has a special function toward the whole.

The ones with prophesy speak truth so bold,

With ministry to aid the poor and weak;

The teachers lay the doctrine out as gold,

Exhorters urge, advise and so critique.

To those who give do with simplicity,

And those that rule are earnest in their care;

The merciful attend the anxious plea,

And everyone above immersed in prayer.

The gifts that God has given us to use

Should be to serve the Savior, not abuse.

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sonnet #368

2-19-15 On Anger

An angry disposition is unwise;

It’s easy to achieve and hard to lose,

And always seems to linger in disguise

To take away the feelings you might choose.

If you are quick to anger learn to pray,

For something boils within and won’t let go,

And if you bare your soul to God today

You’ll get the aid you need to make wrath slow.

The Lord may lead you to a wiser friend

Who listens with a heart that’s God inclined;

Perhaps a counselor to help you mend,

To find the root of rage that’s had you blind.

If you stay angry, take it to the Lord;

His love will heal you and get peace restored.

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Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry:

for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

Ecclesiastes 7:9 KJV

1-15-15 Be of Good Cheer

Whatever trouble has you far from shore,

Whenever you’re adrift in need of aid,

Wherever life has left you with no oar,

The Savior’s standing there; “be not afraid”.

There is no place that Jesus cannot go,

There is no problem that is too severe,

There is no question asked that He won’t know,

Don’t worry half as much; “be of good cheer”.

Just when you think that you are all alone,

Just when you sink your head and start to cry,

Just when your heart’s as heavy as a stone,

You’ll hear the voice of Jesus: “It is I”.

And as you dream of meeting Him one day,

He’s with you even now, not far away.

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And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them,

walking on the sea.

And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea,

they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit;

and they cried out for fear.

But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying,

Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

Matthew 14:25-27 KJV

1-2-15 Take Refuge

If life has thrown you down to trample on,

If everything you do just makes things worse,

If you are at your end and hope is gone,

Take refuge in the Lord, He’s not adverse.

If peace and plenty seem so far away,

If others beat you up and tear you down,

If trouble follows you both night and day,

Take refuge in the Lord, He holds your crown.

If all your worries follow you around,

If you are lost and don’t know what to do,

If all you wish is simply to be found,

Take refuge in the Lord, He’ll see you through.

If you are so oppressed and you need aid,

Take refuge in the Lord, don’t be afraid.

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The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed,

a refuge in times of trouble.

Psalm 9:9 KJV