Devotions for the Child of God: A Year of Sonnetized Scriptures is austere in form but powerful in substance. This perennial daily devotional is designed with scripture, prayer and a sonnet specifically crafted to help the reader better understand a verse from the Holy Bible each day of the year. It will be a favorite for both the newly saved as well as serious Biblical scholars.
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshiped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
Matthew 2:11 KJV
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GIFTS OF THE MAGI
The Magi came by following a star
To pay their homage to the King of Kings,
For it was worth their traveling so far
To meet the Lord of Lords and what He brings.
They opened up their treasures and withdrew
Some frankincense and myrrh and precious gold,
These gifts they gave to baby Jesus true
As symbols of the mission He’d uphold.
The gold paid homage to His royalty;
The frankincense for His divinity;
The myrrh to signify humanity:
A King, a God, a sacrifice was He.
The Son of God was born so He could die,
Atonement for our sins to sanctify
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REMEMBER: The best gift you can give Jesus is complete surrender of your body, mind and soul to Him. Do this constantly.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
Luke 2:6-7 KJV
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The King of Kings and Lord of Lords was born
Into this world of sickness, pain and death,
A helpless infant on that chilly morn
Who in His father’s arms took His first breath.
The God of all the universe cried out,
His body cold and naked, small and weak
Until His mother wrapped Him all about
And held Him close and kissed His tiny cheek.
The Savior soon was placed with love and care
Within a manger cleaned and filled with hay.
Had those within the inn been made aware
They might have traded places right away.
The Lamb of God was born with you in mind;
He came so you would not be left behind.
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REMEMBER: Every breath Jesus took on this earth He gave to you.
And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
Revelation 21:6 KJV
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When all the jots and tittles finally pass, 1
And Jesus testifies that it is done,
New heaven and new earth are seen at last; 2
‘Tis then the wedding feast shall have begun.
The Lord of Lords and King of Kings will stand:
“I AM the Alpha and Omega, too,
Beginning and the end, sublime and grand;
The promises I’ve made have all come true.
To all who thirst for life I freely give,
Refreshing and delightful with no end.
When You are one with Me you truly live;
The things I’ve said you will now comprehend.”
And O! The cup of love that’s passed around
Will overflow forever and abound!
1 Matthew 5:18
2 Revelation 21:1
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!
23 And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn.
24 And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?
25 And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him?
26 How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him?
27 And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:
28 Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
Mark 2:23-28 KJV
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Christ said the Sabbath day was made for man,
Twas made for good and not to bring him bad:
His soul may benefit in worship span;
His body rest from labor and be glad.
His necessary acts should not be banned:
A sheep can sure be rescued from a ditch, 1
And David’s hunger could not be pre-planned.2
The Sabbath’s made for man to so enrich.
Here Jesus was the Son of Man divine,3
The instituter of the Sabbath day.
He could have said “The Sabbath day is Mine,”
But taught them out of patient love the way.
Man wasn’t made to keep the Sabbath pure;
It’s made for man so he may rest assure.
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sonnet #442
1Matthew 12:11
21 Samuel 21:3
3Daniel 7:13
Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
John 20:29 KJV
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When Thomas needed proof that Jesus rose,
It did not mean he loved the Savior less.
His faith, though slow, with all its highs and lows
Arrived when he saw Christ to then assess.
Christ could have scolded Thomas mightily,
But in His love He showed His hands and side.
Yet blessed are they, He said, who could not see
But still believed He lived after He died.
If you have faith that Jesus conquered death
And lives within you now in truth and love,
You should not fear your final mortal breath,
For life will then begin for you above.
So blessed are those not seeing still believe;
Through grace by faith ’tis heaven they’ll achieve.
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sonnet #429
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,
and cometh down from the Father of lights,
with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
James 1:17 KJV
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If you should start to doubt God’s love for you,
Consider all the gifts He showers down,
A Father giving freely kind and true,
His blessings good and perfect so abound.
God sacrificed His Son so you may live,
And now Christ lives in you so bold and pure.
If you repent your sins He will forgive,
God wants you to come Home, of this be sure.
This light that’s in you, God’s the Father of,
The essence of the Word that’s always been,
Unchanging and eternal source of love,
The DNA of Spirit makes you kin.
God’s gifts, too many for this pen to trace
Are found upon the cross and in His Grace.
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sonnet #419
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