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

~~~~~~~~~~~

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.

10-22-15 On Giving

Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee.

Deuteronomy 16:17 KJV

~~~~~~~~~~~

Which one of us can’t say that we’ve been blessed,

For life itself is worth all worldly wealth,

And if you contemplate I’m sure you’ve guessed

Two dozen blessings more including health.

If you’ve been given much then give a lot;

If you’ve not much to give, give what you can.

There’s more than money that a blessing brought;

God’s given certain skills to every man.

A church is not the only place to give:

Look ’round your neighborhood for one in need,

Then be anonymous and help them live;

The secret giver lets more hearts be freed.

So tithing is just one way giving’s done.

First give your all to Christ, God’s first born Son.

9-25-15 The Perfect Example

²¹ For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

²² Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

²³ Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

²⁴ Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

²⁵ For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

1 Peter 2:21-25 KJV

~~~~~~~~~~~

There is no greater love than Christ has shown,

The perfect model for a perfect life,

Who chose to leave His bright celestial throne

To come and save His sheep through pain and strife.

He had no sin Himself but came for ours,

Enduring all the wrath of God and man,

Who could have freed Himself with awesome powers

But chose to bring salvation as His plan,

And all the torment that our Lord endured,

Reviled, threatened, beaten, crucified,

He did for you so you could be secured.

He loved you so He suffered, bled and died.

O friend, I know He thought of you that day

As He was hanging on the cross that way!

5-11-15 Spread the Word

And as ye go, preach, saying,

The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Matthew 10:7 KJV

            ~~~~~~~~~~~

The time has come, the time is here, my friend,

To share the news of Jesus to all men,

And when you hear some mock Him, then defend,

For He will stand for you and them, amen.

The Savior is returning, be of haste,

And spread the Word as if He’s coming now,

Then bring them to the cross where sin was placed,

Where Jesus died for them with humble vow.

Now, be like Christ and preach to all you meet,

Pour out the living water for their soul.

If you bring one to Jesus on the street,

It will be worth the effort as a whole.

Don’t be so shy, recall how you were freed;

How someone let the Spirit take the lead.

~~~~~~~~~~~

sonnet #357

1-28-15 Celebration!

When you are freed by Jesus from all sin

And come down off the cross a new born man,

The joy that floods your heart will then begin

Like Jews from Babylon that homeward ran.

The chains of slavery are now removed;

You climb from darkness to a warming light.

The promise of salvation has been proved

For now you’re led with peace and fresh delight.

It seems the very hills sing out in glee,

And all the birds praise Jesus with one voice:

“Another soul is saved! Now glory be!”

The Holy Spirit swells and we rejoice.

That rustling sound you hear is clapping trees;

The news of your redemption’s on the breeze!

~~~~~~~~~~~

For ye shall go out with joy,

and be led forth with peace:

the mountains and the hills shall break forth

before you into singing,

and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

Isaiah 55:12 KJV

1-18-15 Freed From Sin

When you accepted Jesus as your Lord

The sinner that you were was crucified,

That in your death the sin that God abhorred

Was left upon the cross and there reside.

With Jesus you were taken from the cross,

Then raised with Him a new creation born;

The old man’s life is counted as a loss

With all the law fulfilled the veil is torn.

For now so dead from sin you are then free,

And dead in Christ His love removed the stone;

Now Jesus as your Lord and Savior be,

And stepping from the tomb you’re not alone.

As Jesus took to death all earthly sin,

So you that died with Him new life begin.

~~~~~~~~~~~

For he that is dead is freed from sin.

Romans 6:7 KJV