2-17-16 Hidden Treasure

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

Matthew 13:44 KJV

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Those blinded by the god of this world fail

To find the gospel set within their reach.

When you show them this treasure might the scale

At last with Spirit’s nudge fall from the breach.

And then to see the light shine from their eyes

As they begin to feel their soul set free,

And, O, the Holy Ghost within them rise

As they come to the cross and like Him dies!

Then nothing in the world could buy them back

For they have given Jesus all they’ve got.

The Savior paid the price; though sins were black,

He made them white as snow, both sought and bought.

There is a man and woman stumbling ’round,

Just waiting for the gospel to be found.

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REMEMBER: Commit to telling at least one person today about this greatest of all treasures, the gospel.

1-9-16 One In All

Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

Colossians 3:11 KJV

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There might be some surprised when heaven’s gained,

Observing others they had thought were lost.

The Catholic and Baptist have obtained

The victory that’s gained when Christ is crossed.

Denominations do not matter here,

For all who gave their lives to Jesus lives.

The differences we had will disappear;

When baptized in the Spirit grace forgives.

Those covered in His blood are one indeed,

For Christ is one with each who come to Him.

The CEO and pauper both are freed;

We all will sing the same celestial hymn.

Black, red or brown or yellow, tan or white,

We all are one in He who is the Light.

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REMEMBER: From the moment you accept Jesus as your Savior and Lord, where He dwells you dwell also.

12-25-15 Peace and Good Will

⁸ And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. ¹⁰ And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. ¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. ¹² And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. ¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ¹⁴ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Luke 2:8-14 KJV

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As lowly shepherds watched their flocks by night

The angel of the Lord shown suddenly,

And glory shined about the shepherds bright,

And they were so afraid from all that they did see.

“Fear not,” the angel said to calm their fright,

“Good tidings do I bring, great joy to all!

The Savior Christ the Lord was born tonight!

He’s swaddled in a manger plain and small.”

Then there appeared a multitude forthright,

A host from heaven praising God to say

“To God’s the glory, all to Him outright,

And peace on earth, good will toward men to stay!”

Those shepherds were the first to hear the news.

Such humble men in spirit Christ pursues.

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REMEMBER: God took on a human body to bring peace and good will to the world through His inevitable sacrifice.

11-4-15 Peace

Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.

2 Thessalonians 3:16 KJV

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PEACE

The Prince of peace exists within your heart,

Harmonious with all the things on earth

And heaven, where His vibrant love impart

a constant, living stream of grace and worth.

You are a child of God, and more than this,

Evolving and becoming one with Christ,

A reconciled light of love and bliss,

An image of the pearl that’s greatly priced.

By every means does Jesus give you peace

And none can take away this gift divine.

Your faith becomes a knowing that won’t cease,

A tranquil quietude of love so fine.

The peace that Christ provides does liberate;

Serenity and patience still and great.

10-24-15 Let All the People Praise Thee

Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.

Psalm 67:3

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Let all the people praise Thee, O my Lord!

Let’s raise the roof for Jesus, multitude!

O Savior, listen to this vast accord!

Redeemer, You have made our hearts renewed!

Let all the people praise Thee, O my God!

Let’s get this gathering up on its feet!

O Christ, receive this song as we applaud!

Messiah, You have made our hearts complete!

Let all the people praise Thee, O my King!

Let’s bring revival to this neighborhood!

O Lamb of God, we feel the love You bring!

Good Shepherd, You have changed these hearts for good!

Now let the people praise Thee, Lord of Lords!

Let all the people sing these fervid chords!

10-15-15 On Mindedness

For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Romans 8:6 KJV

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The carnal mind is focused on the flesh

And all the things of flesh are doomed to die.

It may look good today while it is fresh

But it will sure be rotten by and by.

There’s nothing wrong with passion in its place:

Creative drive is needed to produce,

But passion gone awry is bankrupt grace,

Like tying knots until you’ve got a noose.

If you want peace and everlasting life

The mind of Christ is really what you need.

The Word leads where the love of God is rife;

Such passion of the spirit should you heed.

The carnal mind will take you soon to death.

The mind of Spirit brings eternal breath.

10-5-15 The Best of Friends

Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

John 15:15 KJV

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A servant knows not what his Lord has planned;

Until he’s notified, he’ll stay the course.

A friend will share with friend intent firsthand

So there are no surprises, no remorse.

Companions seek to help each other out;

Good news to one will be good news to all.

When Christ becomes your friend there is no doubt

He’ll lead you Home Himself so you don’t fall.

Oh, what a friend we have in Jesus Christ!

He loves us more than we could ever know.

He is your confidant so rare sufficed;

Reveal your heart to Him and watch it grow.

With Jesus you have got the best of friends

Just take the hand that He for you extends.

8-27-15 An Exhortation

Now we exhort you, brethren,

warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded,

support the weak, be patient toward all men.

1 Thessalonians 5:14 KJV

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We have our own responsibilities,

And that includes a call to help the poor:

The poor in heart, in mind, in strength are these

That need some extra care we can’t ignore.

Admonish those that step across the line:

The busybody, troublemaking sort.

Teach discipline and selfless service fine;

These diamonds in the rough, do not sell short.

Uplift the ones who struggle with the cross:

The simple and the slow to understand.

The weak need love who cannot bear a loss;

Please help them with their faith and to withstand.

Have patience with the souls who trip and fall;

Be one to help them up. See Christ in all.

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sonnet #449

8-26-15 Give and Give

Give to him that asketh thee,

and from him that would borrow of thee

turn not thou away.

Matthew 5:42 KJV

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There is this spark of giving in the saved,

A constant pouring out of love to life,

Not born of duty or of laws enslaved,

Not subject to a custom, stale and rife.

The heart of Christ provides to all that needs

Without a thought of getting something back.

The hand of Christ is busy doing deeds,

For what He has He gives to those who lack.

To those who ask deliver what you can;

To those who wish to borrow, them you lend.

The grace that you exhibit once began

With God whose love we cannot comprehend.

Don’t turn away the beggar, but recall

Christ died for that man, too; He gave His all.

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sonnet #448

8-13-15 Unconditional

But love ye your enemies, and do good,

and lend, hoping for nothing again;

and your reward shall be great,

and ye shall be the children of the Highest:

for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

Luke 6:35 KJV

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The Savior shed His blood for good and bad;

Remember this when you’ve an enemy,

And anyone who’s lost should make you sad,

So share the love God has to set them free.

Not only lend expecting nothing back,

Give love in deed without thought of return.

Without God’s grace you would be ruin and wrack;

If He would take it back you’d surely burn.

To be this way is not so hard to do;

For all your faults the Lord still gives you love.

He’s kind to evil people, thankless, too;

You are a child of God, who rules above.

A child that wants to please his Father should;

Do this by loving all, both bad and good.

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sonnet #435