11-25-15 Even So

Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

John 20:21 KJV

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EVEN SO

Our Father God sent Jesus to the earth

To save those who believe upon His name,

To bring about such miracles of worth,

There is no doubt at all upon His claim.

Our Father sent His Son to do His will,

To sacrifice His life to save His friends,

To take upon Him all our sins until

His blood could serve to cover and to cleanse.

And now the Savior sends disciples out

To save those who believe upon His name,

To show all that we meet there is no doubt

That Jesus died for them – that’s why He came.

If God sent down His Son to save mankind,

Are you not now His child and so inclined?

10-27-15 Little Children

I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.

1 John 2:12 KJV

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If there is any doubt of God’s good grace,

Or that His mercy moves abundantly,

Then look no further than a child’s face

To know that in the name of Christ he’s free.

We all are born in sin and can’t escape ¹

Unless we give to Jesus our whole lives, ²

But in His sovereign mercy God may drape

Forgiveness to a child whose death arrives.

There is an age we are accountable,

When we so choose to sin or turn to Christ.

Before that sin is insurmountable;

A baby can’t avoid the awful price. ³

The mercy of the Lord can so extend

To cover little children without end.

1Psalm 51:5

2Romans 10:9

3Romans 6:23

10-1-15 Heart Burn

And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

Luke 24:32 KJV

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The fire of the Lord should burn your heart,

And if it doesn’t, you’re not close enough.

You have to be as one, not just take part;

Communion with the Lord is sturdy stuff

Consume the Word, that fiery flame of truth

Until the Holy Spirit sears your soul.

Remember all the passion of your youth?

This burning makes the past a winter stroll.

If you’re afraid the fire has gone out,

Just breathe the name of Jesus and repeat.

You’ll feel the heat begin, there is no doubt;

His Presence is a blaze that won’t deplete.

You know the Savior’s walking next to you;

His love is burning in your heart so true.

8-21-15 He Calls Your Name

And the LORD came, and stood,

and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel.

Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

1 Samuel 3:10 KJV

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If Jesus called your name what would you do?

How could you know the voice was from the Lord?

There is a way to tell if this is true:

Consider where your treasure has been stored.

To follow Him you’ll learn your Shepherd’s voice ¹

For He has gone ahead to lead the way.

His words will bring you peace to then rejoice; ²

Hold fast to what is good without delay. ³

If you have faith in Jesus do not doubt; ⁴

For doubt will wave at every restless wind.

The Holy Spirit lets the truth ring out; ⁵

He won’t tell you something and then rescind.

If Jesus calls your name I hope you hear;

Incline your heart to Him, His words are dear. ⁶

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sonnet #443

1 John 10:4

2 1 Corinthians 14:33

3 1 Thessalonians 5:21

4 James 1:6

5 1 John 5:6

6 2 Timothy 3:16

7-28-14 Every Good and Perfect Gift

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,

and cometh down from the Father of lights,

with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

James 1:17 KJV

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If you should start to doubt God’s love for you,

Consider all the gifts He showers down,

A Father giving freely kind and true,

His blessings good and perfect so abound.

God sacrificed His Son so you may live,

And now Christ lives in you so bold and pure.

If you repent your sins He will forgive,

God wants you to come Home, of this be sure.

This light that’s in you, God’s the Father of,

The essence of the Word that’s always been,

Unchanging and eternal source of love,

The DNA of Spirit makes you kin.

God’s gifts, too many for this pen to trace

Are found upon the cross and in His Grace.

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sonnet #419

6-20-15 Judge Not

Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come,

who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness,

and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts:

and then shall every man have praise of God.

1 Corinthians 4:5 KJV

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If you perceive a man whose wicked ways

Are hidden by a mask of godliness,

Or if a sister speaks of peace and praise

But beats her children more and loves them less,

Don’t judge them in your heart, though it may be

The hardest thing you’ll ever have to do.

The Lord will come one day, then all shall see

The hidden things of darkness coming through.

There will be no more secrets, no more lies;

The hearts of men exposed without a doubt.

When Jesus peers within our mortal eyes,

We’ll either weep with shame or jump and shout.

Though men may cover up their sinful way,

There are no hidden things on Judgement Day.

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sonnet #394

4-21-15 Have Faith

Have faith when all the roads for you are closed,

When all the avenues you’ve tried have failed.

Your faith in Christ will have new ways exposed,

Will open boulevards where none prevailed.

Have faith when everyone has told you No,

When time and time again you face defeat.

Your faith in Christ will help success to grow,

Will show you how to win when you compete.

Have faith when hope is low and all seems lost,

When others walk away in dark despair.

Your faith in Christ will stand at any cost,

Will give you victory when none would dare.

Have faith when even you begin to doubt;

Your faith in Christ makes mountains move about.

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Then Jesus answered and said unto her,

O woman, great is thy faith:

be it unto thee even as thou wilt.

And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

Matthew 15:28 KJV

1-12-15 Dark Nights

A homesick ache will sometimes strike my soul,

A  tired longing from all earthly bonds;

Then there are moments when I doubt the goal,

A skepticism of the great beyond.

When faith grows weak, I turn to God in mind

In hopes that He will hear my weakened prayer,

And groan in spirit, feeling unrefined,

To save me from my anguish and despair.

Then quietly my pleas turn into praise,

A subtle shift from fear to gratitude;

With just a touch from Him my spirits raise,

My heart grows lighter, larger and renewed.

When melancholy brings me to my knees

I put my faith in Christ; He won’t displease

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Why art thou cast down, O my soul?

and why art thou disquieted within me?

hope thou in God:

for I shall yet praise him, 

who is the health of my countenance,

and my God.

Psalm 42:11 KJV

1-3-15 Believe

Don’t think that some vague hope is good enough

To buy your way to Heaven’s golden shore;

Because you bear conclusions you’ve the stuff

To satisfy the Lord and gain rapport.

You must believe in God until you ache,

Until you know without a doubt He is.

You see Him every moment you’re awake,

You cannot touch a thing that isn’t His.

How can you claim to be a child of God

And wander ’round an orphan in your heart?

Seek him until your eyes are old and flawed,

Until you can’t tell night and day apart.

How can a seeker doubt who does believe?

He’s all around you now; reach out, receive.

~~~~~~~~~~~

But without faith it is impossible to please him:

for he that cometh to God must believe that he is,

and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Hebrews 11:6 KJV

12-31-14 You’ll Surely Know

To know beyond a doubt if you love God,

Observe your life and see the fruit you bear.

If you shun His commandments you’re a fraud;

How can you claim to love if you don’t care?

God’s moral laws are still in place today,

And done sincere in faith, His light shines through.

Look to the edicts Jesus did convey,

Your neighbor should you love, your brother, too.

You must love God with everything you’ve got,

And if you do believe Christ died for you,

Submit your life to Him as Spirit wrought;

A new man will emerge: you’ll know it’s true.

You’ll know that you know Him without a doubt

If you keep His commandments all throughout.

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And hereby we do know that we know him,

if we keep his commandments

1 John 2:3 KJV