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.

8-28-15 Family Ties

³² And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee.

³³ And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren?

³⁴ And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!

³⁵ For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

Mark 3:32-35 KJV

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No matter where you go you’re not alone:

The greatest network in the world exists,

The best connections that the world has known;

The family of Christ are in your midst.

O what a joy to meet a stranger here

Then find out she’s your sister in the Lord!

The loving Spirit linking us so dear

Is much too strong to ever be ignored.

This family of God transcending flesh

All find a common kinship to the cross.

The instant you submit to Christ you mesh,

One body in His Spirit knits across.

My brothers and my sisters, you are loved

More dearly than myself as my beloved.

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sonnet #450

5-6-15 Within

²⁰ And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:

²¹ Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

Luke 17:20-21 KJV

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The King of Kings was standing in the midst

Of all the Pharisees both dumb and blind;

They looked for things to prove it did exist,

When proof was there amongst them so refined.

We search for His return among the signs,

No better off than Pharisees or Scribes;

He lives within us now, His richness shines,

Yet we’re still counting coins and taking bribes.

Try casting off the pictures in your head,

For they will get you lost most every time,

And keep your thoughts on Jesus now instead;

He lives within the servant’s heart sublime.

When Christ returns no man can ever know,

But here’s the Holy Spirit: let it grow.

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4-4-15 Song of Expectation

Come join me in this song that has no end,

And we will praise the Lord forever more!

He’s our salvation, whom we can depend;

Our Savior Jesus, He’s worth living for!

Now, see this bloody pool on Calvary?

He died here on the cross just yesterday.

He sacrificed His life for you and me

Our sins He took upon Himself to pay!

Observe that giant stone before the tomb?

That’s where our Savior’s body then was laid.

Tomorrow that will be an empty room

For He will conquer death’s thin masquerade!

We sing, for Jesus Christ will soon be here!

Our resurrected Lord whom we revere!

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Behold, God is my salvation;

I will trust, and not be afraid:

for the LORD is my strength and my song;

he also is become my salvation.

Isaiah 12:2 KJV

2-16-15 Better Than They

The bird is God’s creative form of flight,

Designed to sail the wind and walk the Earth.

It must still give the Lord such great delight;

The Cardinal’s red, the Kookaburra’s mirth.

No matter what their species, they find food

By piercing wood or digging in the ground,

And they don’t seem to worry for their brood,

For God supplies their sustenance year round.

Are we not so much better than the bird?

For we don’t think God will provide or try.

Trust Him for all the needs that you’ve incurred.

You are, my friend, the apple of His eye.

God notices the tiny sparrow fall.

Be still and know He’s giving you His all.

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Behold the fowls of the air:

for they sow not,

neither do they reap,

nor gather into barns;

yet your heavenly Father feedeth them.

Are ye not much better than they?

Matthew 6:26 KJV

2-14-15 Lambs Among Wolves

Have faith in Christ to move you through your day,

For you will go as lambs amongst the wolves.

You may think you are safe in all your ways,

But suddenly you’re under Satan’s hooves.

Yet as disciples of the living God

We’re sent to find the gems among the rough,

And where we go some angels fear to trod,

But we’ve been sent by Christ, and that’s enough.

Dear kin in Jesus, do not be afraid;

No matter what, you’re safely in His heart.

Don’t worry what to do against the blade;

He died for everyone, so do your part.

The wolves of hate and scorn are all around.

Be like the Lamb of God; let love abound

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Behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.

Luke 10:3 KJV

8-26-14 Behold

Today may be the day that Jesus knocks

Upon the door of ev’ry single heart,

And then there will be no more need of clocks,

For when He comes again He won’t depart.

Don’t be like those who’ve turned the volume up

And thus can’t hear Him knocking at the door,

Nor those asleep with wine still in their cup,

Too drunk with sin to get up from the floor.

Keep extra oil beside your ready lamp,

And if you nap be like a newborn’s mom.

There won’t be time to dawdle like a tramp;

The bridegroom’s at the door! Be quick and calm.

            Will you be ready for the Master’s voice?

            The ones who hear His call will soon rejoice.

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Behold, I stand at the door and knock;

if anyone hears My voice and opens the door,

I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.

Revelation 3:20 KJV

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