2-23-16 On Faith

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1 KJV

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You go to bed assured that you will wake;

A pregnant woman knows her child will come;

You drool just thinking of that chocolate cake;

Guitarists play the song before they strum.

Now, faith is not believing it will be,

It’s knowing that it is before it is.

I do not have to touch, don’t have to see

To know that Jesus lives; my heart is His.

It was by faith Christ calmed the tempest sea,

By faith He made the blind man see anew.

Within the grace of God you’ll find the key:

You live by faith in everything you do.

In faith you have the truth to set you free.

The tiny seed contains the mighty tree.

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REMEMBER: Faith is not belief without proof, but trust without reservation. (D. Elton Trueblood)

2-22-16 Currency

²⁰ The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? ²¹ Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. ²² But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. ²³ Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 19:20-23 KJV

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If you’re a good soul, keeping every law,

You love your fellow man and God as well,

If you don’t follow Christ, this fateful flaw

Will drag you to the hoary gates of hell.

Don’t think if you’ve got money all is lost,

It’s where you place your trust and confidence.

Take up your cross like Him at any cost; *

Put all your hope in Christ at life’s expense.

The question’s this: what’s your priority?

What currency do you spend all your time?

It’s more than being willing that’s the key;

It’s what control your life’s the paradigm.

What drives your soul is what’s been sacrificed.

There’s power in the blood of Jesus Christ.

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REMEMBER: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33 KJV)

* Matthew 16:24

1-11-16 Live to Serve

For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Mark 10:45 KJV

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To be an imitation of the Lord

You must become a servant through and through,

To give love with no thought of a reward,

To minister to all, this must you do.

Christ gave His life a ransom for your soul,

Was beaten, bled and died for all your sin.

He did this for He dared assume the role

A servant with the key to let you in.

Can you do any less than minister

To everyone around you all the time?

Let Christ become your Lord so deep and pure;

He’ll then begin His work through you sublime.

Christ came not to be served, but came to serve.

Work with Him serving others – don’t conserve.

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REMEMBER: Treat everyone as if you would treat Jesus.

12-19-15 In Jesus’ Name

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

Ephesians 5:20 KJV

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IN JESUS’ NAME

We give to God our every gratitude;

Without Him we would not be here today.

He gave His firstborn Son with rectitude

So we could be His children, too, and stay.

The sacrifice Christ made has set us free,

And now we live by faith for all He’s done.

It is through Christ we go; He is the key

To open Heaven’s door, then Home we run.

A prayer is ended thus: “In Jesus’ name,”

For He is now the source of our new life,

The living advocate of all acclaim,

The High Priest of our soul in glory rife.

Give thanks to God our Father for all things,

In Jesus’ name, in whom our hope now springs.

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REMEMBER: When you give thanks to God in the name of Jesus, your heart stretches to hold more of the Holy Spirit.

8-11-15 Repent!

And herein do I exercise myself,

to have always a conscience

void of offence toward God,

and toward men.

Acts 24:16 KJV

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The key to healthy living in the flesh

Includes avoiding sickness at all cost,

But if it does arise attack it fresh

Lest sickness turn to death then all is lost.

The Holy Spirit guides us on to God,

Convicting us if we should start to sin,

And when we sin, repent from what is flawed

Lest sin evolve and apathy begin.

Repent! Assault offence at every turn.

Admit it right away to God and man.

The fire of your repentance makes you burn;

You won’t touch it again, not if you can.

Stay honest with the Lord: repent and pray,

To keep your conscience clear from day to day.

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sonnet #433

4-9-15 The Bond of Peace

The Holy Spirit binds us all as one

Who came unto the shadow of the cross

And gave our life to Christ, God’s first-born Son,

Now counted closer than a family’s gloss.

So here we are as one and Spirit led.

The things that caused contention surely cease,

For now the love of Christ’s the common thread

That brings so naturally a bond of peace.

Where there was once dissension we find grace,

No longer slave to sin and anger’s hook;

Forgiveness helps us run the longer race,

A stamina not gained by hook or crook.

When differences arise within the flock,

The key of Christ will open any lock.

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Endeavour to keep the unity of the Spirit

in the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4:3 KJV

3-23-15 Abide in Me

You are the branch, I am the vine, you see.

If you would bear good fruit, Abide in Me.

You seek the truth, the truth will set you free.

If you would know the truth, Abide in Me.

Love God with all you have, we both agree.

If you would love Him more, Abide in Me.

Just call on Me and I will hear your plea.

To have whate’er you ask, Abide in Me.

You must keep My commandment, that’s the key.

To love as I love you, Abide in Me.

The way to Heaven has just one decree:

To walk the streets of gold, Abide in Me.

I am the way, the truth, the life to thee.

To rest within My arms, Abide in Me.

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Abide in Me

John 15:4 KJV

3-20-15 A Matter of the Mind

Without the grace of God hate does increase;

The world around you clangs cacophany,

But you who share the mind of Christ have peace,

Conducting your affairs in harmony.

Don’t fool yourself in thinking you’re the best;

The least among the least walk with the Lord.

Associate with those who are oppressed

For this is where God’s treasure will be stored.

If you think you are wise then think again;

Most children have more wisdom in their toes.

Put all your faith in Christ and keep thoughts plain;

The answers that you seek the Savior knows.

Submit your mind to God and keep it there

The key to your success is kept in prayer.

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Be of the same mind one toward another.

Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate.

Be not wise in your own conceits.

Romans 12:16 KJV

2-24-15 Profit and Loss

A business man will tell you in a flash

The bottom line is profit for success.

Without this benefit his store will crash,

Then customers and workers would distress.

What profit will it be upon a man

To gain the world but lose his very soul?

He’s here because his Maker has a plan:

To save the world through Jesus is His goal.

If you take all the money on the Earth

And stack it to the sky like Babylon,

You could not climb to Heaven with its worth;

But give your life to Christ and you’ll be drawn.

The key to your success rose from the dead.

He calls you now to eat the broken bread.

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For what shall it profit a man,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

Mark 8:36 KJV