2-17-16 Hidden Treasure

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

Matthew 13:44 KJV

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Those blinded by the god of this world fail

To find the gospel set within their reach.

When you show them this treasure might the scale

At last with Spirit’s nudge fall from the breach.

And then to see the light shine from their eyes

As they begin to feel their soul set free,

And, O, the Holy Ghost within them rise

As they come to the cross and like Him dies!

Then nothing in the world could buy them back

For they have given Jesus all they’ve got.

The Savior paid the price; though sins were black,

He made them white as snow, both sought and bought.

There is a man and woman stumbling ’round,

Just waiting for the gospel to be found.

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REMEMBER: Commit to telling at least one person today about this greatest of all treasures, the gospel.

1-18-16 Known by His Fruit

Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.

Matthew 12:33 KJV

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To know a man just watch his words and deeds,

For he can’t hide the nature of his heart.

An evil sort’s revealed by his misdeeds;

A poisoned well its harm will sure impart.

A fruit will show what kind of tree it’s from;

You cannot harvest olives from the ground.

Guitarists bare their talent when they thrum,

And you can tell a good one from his sound.

True Christians will exhibit Christ within;

The body of their works His presence shows.

They cannot be successful in their sin;

The essence of His truth and love still flows.

The blind can tell a fruit by taste and feel.

See Jesus with His works in you reveal.

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REMEMBER: Jesus lives within you. Get out of the way so He can live through you.

5-26-15 Great Gain

Peaceful place

But godliness with contentment is great gain.

1 Timothy 6:6 KJV

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A Godly soul is really hard to find

Unless you go where Godly folk abide.

The place where these great ones are so inclined

Is where the Lord has told them to reside.

You cannot find them on a simple plat;

No GPS can lead you to their side.

You’ll find them so content just where they’re at

Because they are attune with Christ their guide.

A man can be content and not know God,

But deep in his contentment he must hide,

For only Jesus leaves you calm and awed;

Without the Savior peace can’t be applied.

Contentment in the Lord will bring great gain

No matter where you go His Grace will reign.

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sonnet #371

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

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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

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sonnet #370

5-13-15 Be Counted Worthy

And they departed from the presence of the council,

rejoicing that they were counted worthy

to suffer shame for his name.

Acts 5:41 KJV

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Are you prepared to suffer in His name,

The Son of God who died on Calvary?

Would you then follow Jesus just the same

If all your kin and friends should disagree?

The Christians in Iraq are being killed,

And in Somalia are flogged and flayed,

But if believers here are slightly grilled

They hide their crosses for they’re so afraid.

No matter what the world may do to you,

Remember what it did to Christ the King.

So count as worthy what you’re going through;

It’s only temporary what they bring.

            Are you prepared to suffer in His name?

            Are you prepared to suffer death or shame?

            ~~~~~~~~~~~

sonnet #359

4-20-15 God is Light

Here is, my brother, wisdom bold and true:

That God the Father of us all is light.

There is no darkness in Him, through and through;

He is both true and holy in His might.

The gloom of sin can’t hide from Him at all;

He sees within our hearts, there’s no disguise.

His light is life to all things great and small;

Illuminating both the earth and skies.

God turned the lowly shepherd boy to king;

He walked the earth as Jesus, two as one.

He makes the dead to live and angels sing;

He calls the second coming of His Son.

Our God’s the light of Grace and Mercy, too;

He is the light of love, and He loves you.

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This then is the message which we have heard of him,

and declare unto you,

that God is light,

and in him is no darkness at all.

1 John 1:5 KJV

12-21-14 You Know Me

You see into the shadows of my soul.

You know me better than I know myself.

You stretch me out and read me like a scroll.

You’ve found the secrets on my secret shelf.

To think of all you’ve seen me say and do,

Makes me ashamed in my unworthiness.

I can’t get small enough to hide from You.

O Lord, accuse me now and I’ll confess!

Yet even though You know me through and through,

You love me still regardless of my sin.

You sent Your Son to save the world, it’s true,

And saved a wretch like me in my chagrin.

Unworthy though I am You love me so,

You must see something in me I don’t know.

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O LORD, thou hast searched me,

and known me.

Psalm 139:1 KJV

10-7-14 Thank God

Our Father, God of Heaven and the Earth,

You are the one we turn to all the time;

You know our faults and strength, You know our worth,

You view our lowly state and ev’ry crime.

Please give us Your advice with ev’ry stride;

Impart Your wisdom given readily.

There is no place to run, nowhere to hide

Your Being’s all around so steadily.

We follow in the footsteps of Your Son;

Give us the nerve to share His death and life.

You loved us all so much you sent the One

To shed His blood for all our sin so rife.

O God, we worship and acknowledge You;

Help us to not forget all that You do.

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In all thy ways acknowledge him,

and he shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 3:6 KJV

9-30-14 God’s Got Your Back

God knows the trials you face from day to day;

His spirit dwells within you all the time.

Be confident in all you do and say,

For God is always with you so sublime.

No need to fear, no need to run and hide,

The Lord has gone ahead to light your path.

No matter what transpires he’s by your side;

Whatever interferes will face His wrath.

The God of Israel has got your back,

So speak in confidence with truth and fire.

Don’t worry that your foes will soon attack;

God knows who is the thief, the thug, the liar.

Don’t worry, God is with you in your trial;

His presence makes your trouble all worthwhile.

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For ye shall not go out with haste,

nor go by flight: for the LORD will go before you;

and the God of Israel will be your rereward.

Isaiah 52:12 KJV