2-26-16 Seeking Riches

But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

1 Timothy 6:9 KJV

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Too much can not be said about the sin

Of seeking to be rich above all else,

For when the lust for gold within begin,

The love of God and Christ most surely melts.

A strong foundation builds a sturdy house,

So let the Rock of Ages cleft for you,

But if you build on greed you then espouse

The love for worldly things you should eschew.

A foolish man will do some hurtful things

In order to obtain abundant wealth.

It’s hard to stem the selfishness this brings

And easy to forget supernal health.

           Put all your faith in Heaven’s Kingdom now

           Don’t let the love of riches strike your brow.

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REMEMBER: Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Matthew 6:19-21 KJV)

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

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.

2-16-16 Give and Take

Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

Luke 8:18 KJV

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This is a warning to you lukewarm soul

Who merely ponders Jesus on a whim:

You say you are a Christian, play the role.

You think you’ll skate on in; your chance is grim.

If you will truly give your life to Christ

And use with grace the gifts He gives to you,

The salt you are will then be double spiced;

The love you have, much more will you accrue.

If you believe that you have got it made,

Your show of knowledge now will disappear.

What little faith you claim will soon be swayed;

Your mediocre worship won’t cohere.

Be careful how you hear: from heart or head.

The one will find the Lord, the other’s dead.

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REMEMBER: You cannot fake your way into the kingdom of heaven. If you don’t think you’re saved, you’re likely not. Go to the cross right now. You’ll gain a lot.

7-25-15 Least in the Kingdom

Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:19 KJV

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A doctor telling patients they should smoke

Would soon not have a practice left to hold.

A man who works for Pepsi selling Coke

Won’t have a job for long to be enrolled.

If you’re a Christian teach the Christian way:

You meet the Father only through the Son. *

To tell that other ways to God’s okay

Will find that in the end you’ve come undone.

The least of God’s commandments should be kept;

Don’t break one and then teach that this is good,

For if you do, you’ve really overstepped;

The least belongs to you, as well it should.

It’s bad enough that you should go astray;

It’s worse if you lead others on that way.

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* John 14:6

 

sonnet #416

5-6-15 Within

²⁰ And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:

²¹ Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

Luke 17:20-21 KJV

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The King of Kings was standing in the midst

Of all the Pharisees both dumb and blind;

They looked for things to prove it did exist,

When proof was there amongst them so refined.

We search for His return among the signs,

No better off than Pharisees or Scribes;

He lives within us now, His richness shines,

Yet we’re still counting coins and taking bribes.

Try casting off the pictures in your head,

For they will get you lost most every time,

And keep your thoughts on Jesus now instead;

He lives within the servant’s heart sublime.

When Christ returns no man can ever know,

But here’s the Holy Spirit: let it grow.

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3-26-15 Greatest in the Kingdom

The greatest in the kingdom is the least:

A little child without pretentious claim

Who waits until the guests have left the feast

To have the smallest portion all the same.

A little child is humble, kind and shy,

Who lives to hear her Father’s loving call

Then runs into His arms not asking why,

Expecting no reward or gift at all.

The child of God thinks nothing of herself,

Without the selfishness of evil’s sting,

And leaves her own needs high upon the shelf,

Reliant on her God for everything.

            Whoever’s humble as a little child

            Is greatest in the kingdom, meek and mild.

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Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child,

the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 18:4 KJV

7-10-14 No Looking Back

If you desire to follow Jesus now

You must be ready now to lose your life,

For laying hands upon the heavy plow

Demands you give your all through whip or knife.

There can be nothing you have left behind

That makes you want to stop and turn around.

The way of Christ requires all your mind,

Your body and your love for Him profound.

If you look back upon your former days

And long for something you once loved to do,

You’ll surely stumble, fall and lose your way,

So leave the past behind and follow through.

When you make Jesus Christ your Lord and Saviour

You leave upon the cross your old behaviour.

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“No man, having put his hand to the plough,

and looking back,

is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Luke 9:62  KJV

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