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.

10-16-15 Hypocrite!

²¹ Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?

²² Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?

²³ Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?

Romans 2:21-23 KJV

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Those Christians who don’t practice what they preach

Are like a blind man with a lamp in hand.

If they walk by just stay out of their reach

Else you be dragged with them into quicksand.

They’ve seen a lot but never really looked, ¹

And love pretending they know what they don’t.

They serve the truth but it tastes undercooked;

Stay far away but be forewarned: they won’t.

We can be hypocrites though ignorant

Until the Holy Spirit checks our walk,

But woe to them who know but live a front;

They do no good and harm the future flock. ²

Call out your brother if he lives a lie.

In doing so make sure you too comply.

1Isaiah 42:20

2 Romans 2:24

8-29-15 Treacherous Times

And then many will be offended,

and shall betray one another,

and shall hate one another.

Matthew 24:10 KJV

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These are the latter days which Christ foretold

When brethren are offended by the Word,

And even those who used to be quite bold

Will turn their backs on those the Gospel stirred.

Though many fall away these shall be worse,

Who once did follow Jesus in the day

But now will stumble back to point and curse

The Christians they once loved yet now betray.

Such hatred shall arise from those thought saved,

With vehemence they’ll trample on the flock.

The lies apostates spread are so depraved

To make the world lash out in fear and shock.

Hold fast in Christ; your faith will long endure.

When they knock down your door His love’s secure.

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sonnet #451

4-9-15 The Bond of Peace

The Holy Spirit binds us all as one

Who came unto the shadow of the cross

And gave our life to Christ, God’s first-born Son,

Now counted closer than a family’s gloss.

So here we are as one and Spirit led.

The things that caused contention surely cease,

For now the love of Christ’s the common thread

That brings so naturally a bond of peace.

Where there was once dissension we find grace,

No longer slave to sin and anger’s hook;

Forgiveness helps us run the longer race,

A stamina not gained by hook or crook.

When differences arise within the flock,

The key of Christ will open any lock.

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Endeavour to keep the unity of the Spirit

in the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4:3 KJV

1-22-15 To the Elders

The elders of the church have thus been tasked

To shepherd well the members of their church,

To volunteer their time and not be asked,

To be assessible without a search.

This is not any job from nine to five;

Responsibilities are round the clock,

To act not with constraint but always strive

To help all with their needs without a squawk.

The love of Christ is present in you all,

Regardless of your status in the fold.

Not one of you are too high not to fall;

Not one of you are too set to remold.

To oversee the flock you have to be

A servant to them all and happily.

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Feed the flock of God which is among you,

taking the oversight thereof,

not by constraint, but willingly;

not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind

1 Peter 5:2 KJV

9-4-14 Compassion

The world is filled with sorrow, pain and fears,

With grief, despair, alone in darkest night.

Compassion fills the caring soul to tears

And moved in spirit by the suff’ring sight.

O man! Your anguish weighs upon my heart;

If I could bring you all within the fold!

Such evil seeks to tear you all apart

To bind you in its prison uncontrolled.

Too many of my shepherds fall asleep

While wolves of hopelessness devour the young.

I weep for all you lost and helpless sheep

Who perish in the earth, your names unsung.

            Awake! Awake! The flock is scattered wide;

            The hour is drawing near, come to my side!

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But when he saw the multitudes,

he was moved with compassion on them,

because they fainted, and were scattered abroad,

as sheep having no shepherd.

Matthew 9:36 KJV

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