1-19-16 One Eighty

¹⁶ But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, and hearkened not to thy commandments, ¹⁷ And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.

Nehemiah 9:16-17 KJV

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You’ve sinned though saved and now are on your knees

Afraid salvation’s lost, God’s turned His back.

Conviction weighs up your chest to squeeze;

You think your white as snow has changed to black.

Repent! One Eighty what you’ve done right now,

Confess to God your sin with sorrowed heart.

He WILL forgive! God’s mercy will endow.

He loves you SO; you’ll never be apart.

Did He not send His own begotten Son

To pay for every sin on your behalf?

Renounce with all you are for what you’ve done

And know God’s written that sin’s epitaph.

He loves you more than you can ever know.

You are His child! Repent and let it go.

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REMEMBER: Look at all God’s chosen people did after He brought them out of bondage in Egypt. He did not forsake them. He likewise will never, ever forsake you.

12-18-15 More Than Kin

⁴¹ And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

Luke 1:41 KJV

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MORE THAN KIN

When dear Elizabeth heard Mary’s voice,

Her baby John the Baptist leapt within.

The presence of the Lord made both rejoice,

For John and Jesus were much more than kin.

Then thirty years would pass until that day

When John did baptize Jesus to commence

The start of such a mission that would stay

Within the hearts of men forever thence.

Did they grow up as cousins sometimes do,

Together playing games and running ’round?

Most surely did they know then as they grew

The things they had to do were so profound?

One day upon the Jordan John would point

Toward the Lamb of God did God appoint.

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REMEMBER: The Holy Spirit will fill you with joy when you contemplate upon Jesus.

12-3-15 Not Like This Man

⁴⁵ Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him? ⁴⁶ The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.

John 7:45-46 KJV

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NOT LIKE THIS MAN

The guards who went to capture Christ that day

Would never be prepared for what they heard.

The things they heard that Jesus came to say

Compelled their hearts and minds to both be stirred.

Not any of the prophets spoke this way

With such authority and truth were graced.

Twas as if God Himself each word did weigh.

The very air itself His words embraced!

Not one of all the guards their charge obey,

For Jesus had not reached His fullness yet.

Perhaps their feet and hands did then betray;

Perhaps they drank from thirst and mercy met.

No man had ever spoken like this Man.

Thank God we have His words and know His plan!

111415 Show Us Something Good

Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast holpen (helped) me, and comforted me.

Psalm 86:17 KJV

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SHOW US SOMETHING GOOD

O Lord, it seems the wicked rules the day;

I see my brother’s blood upon the ground.

Please show me something good from this, I pray,

To fill my enemy with shame profound.

You’ve helped me, Lord, when I have called on You,

You’ve soothed me with the comfort of Your love.

Console the suffering, help see them through

Please show us something good from up above.

Reveal to those who hate us You are God,

Cause them to be disgraced among their friends.

Lay bare their evil hearts here and abroad;

Humiliate them to the furthest ends.

Please show us something good so all may see

The righteous will prevail; in You we’re free.

10-24-15 Let All the People Praise Thee

Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.

Psalm 67:3

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Let all the people praise Thee, O my Lord!

Let’s raise the roof for Jesus, multitude!

O Savior, listen to this vast accord!

Redeemer, You have made our hearts renewed!

Let all the people praise Thee, O my God!

Let’s get this gathering up on its feet!

O Christ, receive this song as we applaud!

Messiah, You have made our hearts complete!

Let all the people praise Thee, O my King!

Let’s bring revival to this neighborhood!

O Lamb of God, we feel the love You bring!

Good Shepherd, You have changed these hearts for good!

Now let the people praise Thee, Lord of Lords!

Let all the people sing these fervid chords!

10-23-15 Your Days Are Numbered

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

Psalm 90:12 KJV

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The only day you know you have is here,

So set about as if it is your last.

Tomorrow is not promised to appear;

The best day of your life is fading fast.

You know this to be true but still you yawn;

How many days have you survived thus far?

A wise man counts each day as his last dawn

And counts the Lord his only constant star.

The place and time to live is here and now.

Do everything with love while you still can.

The sun tomorrow God may not allow,

So treat today the end of your lifespan.

Get up this instant! Get upon your feet!

Give all that you can give to all you meet!

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

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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.

9-9-15 Flee Youthful Lusts

Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

2 Timothy 2:22 KJV

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The lusts of youth don’t always mean the flesh,

But every one is meant to bring them down.

Their vanity and ego cannot mesh

With those who come to wear a humble crown.

There is a need to hear their peer’s applause,

But that lasts just a moment of their life.

Seek favor from the Lord in faith because

Unlike their friends God’s love remains through strife.

Contentions and contempt will mark their way

Unless they live in peace like Christ did show.

Abide with those whose righteousness won’t stray,

Whose charity defeats the biggest foe.

When youth resists the constant lustful lure,

They join the ranks of those whose hearts are pure.

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8-2-15 Pass Away

Heaven and earth shall pass away:

but my words shall not pass away.

Mark 13:31 KJV

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A day will come in which the blazing sun

Will cease to parch the lips and burn the skin,

And on the earth calamities are done:

No hurricanes, tornados found therein.

The heaven and the earth shall pass away,

And all the things that sin has surely wrought,

But one thing will remain and not give way:

The Word of God eternal ne’er forgot.

The words of Jesus lived before the stars,

And they shall live in New Jerusalem.

There will be no more pain and no more scars,

And no more need to make it ‘us’ and ‘them.’

His words forever stamped upon our hearts

For we’re His words in action to impart.

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sonnet #424

6-12-15 Blessed Be He

Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD:

we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.

Psalm 118:26 KJV

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Had Jesus lived and taught when David ruled,

The King would bless Him from the temple grounds.

But Christ came when the Priests their hearts were cooled,

And all He heard from them were angry sounds.

But we disciples of the risen Lord

Sing out “Hosanna!” with a single voice.

We worship Jesus whom we’ve long adored;

With blessings loud and strong we do rejoice!

In adoration from a faith full house,

Accept the Savior’s presence in your life.

The temple of your heart and mind espouse

The High Priest Christ whose perfect love is rife.

O blessed be the One who conquered death!

We live for Him and praise Him with each breath!

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sonnet #388