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.

10-31-15 Follow Him

And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

Luke 5:11 KJV

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The lives of Peter, Andrew, James and John

Transformed when Jesus said ‘Come follow Me.’

How can someone refuse when spirit’s drawn,

Just like a sailor’s hunger for the sea?

There comes a moment in each person’s life

When love demands you leave it all behind.

That call of soul that cuts you like a knife;

That death of self to which you were confined.

The Savior beckons – all else disappears;

The world that you once knew just falls away.

The life before was measured once in years

But now this moment is the only way.

Drop all that you are doing. Follow Him.

If your ship moves too slow, jump in and swim.

9-13-15 At Hand

¹⁴ Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

¹⁵ And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

Mark 1:14-15 KJV

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The time was right, the prophesies fulfilled

To usher in the living God on earth,

And there was God Himself midst crowds that milled,

The perfect Son of Man of virgin birth.

He said with joy “I’ve got good news for you!

A liberation from Mosaic law!

Here’s peace and pardon and salvation, too!

Eternal life by grace, with love and awe!”

“Repent!” He said, “Your sins will I forgive!

Here’s all you have to do: Believe in Me!

I AM the Way, the Truth, My Life I give!

The realm of God’s at hand to set you free!”

If Jesus told you this, would you believe?

He sent me here to ask you to receive.

5-19-15 Well Pleased

⁹ And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.

¹⁰ And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:

¹¹ And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Mark 1:9-11 KJV

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When Christ emerged from Jordan full of love

The Heavens opened wide and He did see

Descending from the sky just like a dove

The Spirit came upon Him graciously.

Then God did say “You’re My Beloved Son,

In whom I AM,” He stated “so well pleased,”

And there the essence of the Holy One

Well marked His favor on the One appeased.

Beloved sister, now that Spirit’s Here!

O, my Beloved brother, He’s in you!

When you accepted Christ your Savior dear

You were baptized by Spirit through and through.

One day when you see Jesus face to face,

He’ll say God’s pleased with you with love and grace.

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sonnet #364

(artwork by David Zelenka)