12-2-15 Live by Faith

Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

Hebrews 10:38 KJV

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LIVE BY FAITH

Obedience to Christ is lived by faith,

A sober and regenerating love.

A child of God is not some flimsy wraith

Who always doubts salvation from above.

When justified, the saved will turn to Christ,

As natural as flowers turn to light.

Redemption’s not a treat that thinly sliced,

It’s paid for at the cross in full, outright.

If any man draw back from fear or shame,

To shrink away completely from belief,

Or think that righteousness is his to claim,

Perdition will be his with no relief.

Go boldly now in Christ with confidence;

Have faith in Jesus – He’s deliverance.

3-25-15 God, You are Holy

O Lord, my God, You’re holy, good and just;

There is not any wickedness in You.

You have no room for those who say they must,

No matter the excuse or point of view.

Sometime You do permit a sin to flower,

Although there is no pleasure on Your part,

To magnify Your Mercy, Grace and Power

To bring us to salvation in Your heart.

You loved us though we once were sinners lost;

That’s why You sent Your Son, a sinless man,

Becoming sin itself, His life the cost

To bring about Your perfect, steadfast plan.

There is no evil that can dwell with You.

With gratitude I worship You anew!

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For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness:

neither shall evil dwell with thee.

Psalm 5:4 KJV

10-25-14 Think On These Things

Avoid a pack of lies like rabid hounds,

And seek all truth among the wolves of life;

Dishonesty first stalks and then surrounds,

So kill it with the facts just like a knife.

Injustice is a bully bound with hate

But fairness is a friend that’s true and strong;

Don’t let corruption fight and desecrate,

Let authenticity make right from wrong.

Unsightly things dig in just like a briar

But loveliness caresses heart and mind.

The wrong influence rakes and stabs like wire

A good report from friends is smooth and kind.

If there be any virtue, any praise,

Just think upon these things and all their ways.

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Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest,

whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise,

think on these things.

Philippians 4:8 KJV

8-30-14 Go Right Away

The first time you walk in a nursing home

You smell the stench of urine and decay,

But if you visit ev’ry day and roam,

The stench will seem less strong then fade away.

And so it is with sins we do commit,

Then fail to go confess it to the Lord;

In time it fades to gray and we forget

Though it still reeks to God and is abhorred.

Acknowledge right away your ev’ry sin,

Confess with guilt, repent with broken heart,

And if you are contrite He’ll cleanse within;

Forgiven now, God’s love will ne’er depart.

            The Holy Spirit marks your heart with shame;

            Take this to God while it is still aflame.

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If we confess our sins,

he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9 KJV

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