1-28-16 The Need for Thorns

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

2 Corinthians 12:7 KJV

~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank God for all the troubles you must bear:

Infirmities that keep you from your pride,

The weaknesses that drive you to despair,

That thorn within your flesh that won’t subside.

There’s not much worse within than arrogance,

For it takes your attention off of Christ.

It makes you boast of your great competence,

Some dollar souvenir way overpriced.

And but for your affliction you’d be lost,

Your halo bound so tight to make you dumb.

Be grateful to be saved at any cost,

For weakness makes you strongly overcome.

If Satan buffets you with trials enticed,

God may be telling you His grace sufficed.

~~~~~~~~~~~

REMEMBER: Thorns humbles the rose.

1-27-16 From Dark to Light

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

Isaiah 9:2 KJV

~~~~~~~~~~~

Isaiah heard the Lord and prophesied

That Christ would come and dwell in Galilee,

But in a larger sense is magnified

To show when Jesus dwells in you and me.

Before He is our Savior all is dark

And we march in despair to ashy death.

When we go to the cross the Spirit’s spark

Enlightens and begins eternal breath.

The light of Christ ignites within our soul

The moment we accept Him as our Lord,

And all our brokenness is then made whole,

In victory His love is our reward.

We once who walked in darkness shine His light,

For Jesus lives within us warm and bright.

~~~~~~~~~~~

REMEMBER: Jesus is the Light of the world. Whoever follows Him shall not live in darkness, but will have the light of life. (John 8:12)

1-20-16 Be Not Afraid

⁴⁸ And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. ⁴⁹ But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: ⁵⁰ For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. ⁵¹ And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.

Mark 6:48-51 KJV

~~~~~~~~~~~

When troubles come to push you off your path,

And if it seems you’re rowing ‘gainst the wind,

The struggle that you face in all its wrath

Might leave your efforts moot and you chagrined.

Look through the dark of night and see Me there!

I am not just a thought inside your head,

Not just some passing need when you despair,

Nor ghostly spirit filling you with dread.

Be of good cheer! Have courage! It is I!

Be not afraid, I’ve come to bring you peace.

I’ve been here all along, I won’t pass by.

I’m right beside you now; the wind will cease.

In life when conflict blows with its attack,

Be not afraid, my child, I’ve got your back.

~~~~~~~~~~~

REMEMBER: Even in the darkest of nights you will see Him near.

1-13-16 On Tilling

He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.

Proverbs 28:19 KJV

~~~~~~~~~~~

If you would have success then go to school,

And plant the seeds of knowledge in your mind.

A fallow intellect becomes a fool,

Where weed and brier thinking is entwined.

If you would be in love then make a friend,

And cultivate affection and regard.

To blindly plow will meet with no good end;

Whatever grows most likely will be marred.

If you would know the Lord then practice prayer,

And water both your heart and soul with tears.

A parched relationship leads to despair;

You’ll just eat bitter fruit throughout the years.

The land that’s rightly tilled will yield good bread.

Don’t place the ass behind the plow instead.

~~~~~~~~~~~

REMEMBER: Whatsoever a man sows, he shall also reap. (Galatians 6:7)

1-4-16 Blessed is the Man

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

Psalm 1:1 KJV

~~~~~~~~~~~

How blessed is the man that walks with God,

Who listens to His counsel night and day,

For those that don’t are living a facade,

Whose best advice no more than a cliché.

How blessed is the man that stands with Christ,

Who keeps the Lord’s commandments out of love,

For those that don’t the world has so enticed,

Whose fate is bound in darkness and thereof.

How blessed is the man that kneels in prayer,

Whose faith is in the Lord so full of grace,

For those that don’t are sitting in despair,

Whose scorn and hate are all they can embrace.

Keep focused on the Word in thought and deed.

He’ll guide you through this place of sin and need.

~~~~~~~~~~~

REMEMBER: When you walk in the Light of Christ you will not stumble.

9-14-15 A House Not Made With Hands

For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

2 Corinthians 5:1 KJV

~~~~~~~~~~~

The end of life is not the end of life

For those whose faith is in the Son of God.

This earthly body’s filled with pain and strife

To crumble one day like a poor facade.

But we will not despair when that day comes;

You’ll see us smile upon our final breath.

The moment we’re evicted from the slums

We move into a mansion void of death.

In this eternal home not made with hands,

We’ll tarry in the presence of the Lord.

The family of the Spirit understands

This glorious domain’s our first reward.

Don’t grieve when we escape this earthen shell.

Our new estate’s in heaven – there we dwell.

9-10-15 The Stain Remover

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Isaiah 1:18 KJV

~~~~~~~~~~~

Don’t be afraid, do not fall in despair;

You realize the hopeless state you’re in.

Death calls for you – it’s more than you can bear.

You can’t escape the stain of all your sin.

Just take the hand of Jesus, make Him yours.

He’ll wash your sins from scarlet red to white.

Although the stain has sunk into your pores

He’ll take the brand of Satan from your sight.

The Son of God loved you so very much

He took all of your sins upon the cross.

Accept Him as your Savior, feel His touch;

Believe He died for you and bore your loss.

Although your sins are crimson red and full,

The blood of Christ will make them white as wool.

~~~~~~~~~~~

7-22-15 With All Your Life

This is my commandment,

That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

John 15:12 KJV

~~~~~~~~~~~~

The world is filled with malice, hate and scorn,

And every day is darker than the last,

But don’t despair, it is not time to mourn,

Just love your fellow man despite his caste.

The Savior loves you more than you can know,

He died for all your sins upon the cross.

If you love one another you will grow

To better understand His pain and loss.

If you show love to everyone you meet,

And give without a thought of some return,

The love of Christ in you is more complete,

And love begets more love with less concern.

This is the Lord’s command, that you should love

With all your life, as Jesus has above.

~~~~~~~~~~~

 

sonnet #413

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

~~~~~~~~~~~

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.

~~~~~~~~~~~

 

sonnet #412

5-25-15 White as Snow

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD:

though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;

though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Isaiah 1:18 KJV

~~~~~~~~~~~

Don’t be afraid, don’t hide your head in shame;

No matter what you’ve done I still love you.

I’m not just made of vengeance as they claim;

You do not need to fear a harsh review.

Just lift your eyes and come to Christ in prayer;

It matters not if sins be crimson red.

My Son died for your sins, now don’t despair;

His blood will wash them white as snow instead.

I sent Him as the Lamb to sacrifice,

To die for all your sins both great and small.

Accept Him as your Lord, He paid the price;

Let Jesus in your heart, on Him do call.

On Judgment Day when you approach the throne,

You’ll have no sin, for Jesus did atone

~~~~~~~~~~~

sonnet #370