1-26-16 Because

Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?

Ruth 2:10 KJV

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Who am I, Lord, that You bestow such grace?

I’m just a lowly sinner bound for hell.

There’s no redeeming value, not a trace.

I’m here within the dust where Adam fell.

How can You love me, God, in all my shame?

I am not worthy of Your love at all.

You gave Your only Son, who then became

The ransom for my sins both great and small.

Your Holy Word tells me You love me so;

You showed Your love for me on Calvary.

You made me for a reason, this I know,

To be Your child to love as You love me.

O Abba! You are all I ever need,

And by Your grace, O Father, I’ve been freed!

~~~~~~~~~~~

Remember: God IS love.

1-25-16 Millstone

But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Matthew 18:6 KJV

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Whoever does offend a child of God

With hateful, hurtful words that’s evil drawn,

Or cause to stumble on the path he trod,

Or make his testimony be withdrawn,

Whoever leads away My sheep by guile,

To fool him into dropping his belief,

Or persecute him else by harm or trial,

Or bring My new disciple into grief,

It would be better for that wicked one

To hang a heavy stone around his neck

And jump into the sea to then be done,

Than cause My little one be harmed a speck.

Before you lead My little lamb astray,

You might just drown yourself and float away.

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REMEMBER: Treat the young in Christ with tenderness and love and proper discipleship.

His Fisherman

¹⁶ Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

¹⁷ And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.

¹⁸ And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.
Mark 1:16-18

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Engrafted child of God, look at yourself:

The light of Christ should shine from every pore.

When you were saved, you died to your old self.

You once were mute, now you must stand and roar!

Can’t you feel Jesus running through your veins?

With every pulse He bids you harvest souls.

The day grows short; so little time remains.

You’ve work to do to help Him reach His goals.

The day you dropped your nets to follow Christ,

You gave up all you had to be like Him.

He’s making you a fisher well sufficed

To cast the gospel wide with love and vim.

When you made Christ your Savior you began

To learn how to become His fisherman.

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REMEMBER: You are an active participant in the Great Commission. Now get to work.

12-2-15 Live by Faith

Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

Hebrews 10:38 KJV

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LIVE BY FAITH

Obedience to Christ is lived by faith,

A sober and regenerating love.

A child of God is not some flimsy wraith

Who always doubts salvation from above.

When justified, the saved will turn to Christ,

As natural as flowers turn to light.

Redemption’s not a treat that thinly sliced,

It’s paid for at the cross in full, outright.

If any man draw back from fear or shame,

To shrink away completely from belief,

Or think that righteousness is his to claim,

Perdition will be his with no relief.

Go boldly now in Christ with confidence;

Have faith in Jesus – He’s deliverance.

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.

10-20-15 Unclean Spirits

²³ And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,

²⁴ Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.

²⁵ And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.

²⁶ And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.

²⁷ And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.

Mark 1:23-27 KJV

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An unclean spirit likes to sow discord

And seeks to own the weakest mind around.

Such fights and arguments are their reward;

Where trouble’s stirred this spirit can be found.

Unless the Holy Spirit fills your heart

Ask Christ to guard your soul or you’ll be next.

They spot a child of God and then will start

To try to tear you down and leave you vexed.

The Savior lives within so call His name!

The Holy Ghost will lead you through this scene.

He might have you rebuke it out in shame

Or lead the man possessed to Christ to clean.

You’re led to where you’re needed most of all.

Let Christ stay in control and heed His call.

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

8-10-15 Intercession

³¹ And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

³² But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Luke 22:31-32 KJV

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The enemy of God wants you to fail;

He wants to drag you ‘cross the threshing floor.

He wants you to deny the Lord and wail,

To lose your faith and bother him no more.

If you’re a child of God you’re valuable,

For you can share the gospel of the Lord.

If Satan makes you unapproachable,

You’re one more Christian that can be ignored.

But Jesus wants your faith to grow and thrive,

So you can thwart the Devil in his plan.

Your strength will help Christ bring more souls alive,

Help lift your brethren from the sifting pan.

Christ prays for you this moment out of love,

That your faith will not fail, but rise above

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sonnet #432

7-21-15 Angels in the Wings

Are they not all ministering spirits,

sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

Hebrews 1:14 KJV

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Oh child of God, you’ll never be alone,

Though all your friends and family depart.

When dark despair has gripped you to the bone,

There is an angel working on your heart.

He ministers to you when you are down,

Sent forth by God to comfort and restore.

When all the world conspires to make you drown,

An angel’s called to pull you back ashore.

The presence of the Lord is with you now,

And there are angels waiting in the wings.

When grief and pain descends upon your brow,

You’ve got the help you need from where love springs.

Oh child of God, know Jesus lives within,

And angels serve to minister therein.

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sonnet #412

7-8-15 Sword of the Spirit

⁵ Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,

⁶ And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

⁷ Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

Matthew 4:5-7 KJV

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When Satan brought the Lord to temple’s top

Where all Jerusalem could see the sight,

He tempted Him to try a belly flop

To prove that angels save Him from that height.

The Devil hoped that Jesus would be proud

To show the world He was the Son of God,

But Lucifer was wrong, Christ won’t be bowed,

And tempting God just would not be allowed.

If Satan could attempt this on the Lord,

You know full good and well that he’d tempt you,

But as a child of God you’ve Spirit’s sword,

The Word that, just like Jesus, you turn to.

You shan’t be tempted when you use the Word,

And lean upon the Savior undeterred.

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sonnet #409