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.

12-12-15 Made Whole

And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.

Matthew 14:14 KJV

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As Jesus went He saw the multitude;

Compassion moved within Him like the tide.

He knew the many reasons they pursued,

But they all wanted what He had inside.

With bodies sick and broken, some for years,

They shared a common need, a common goal.

He healed them all and took away their fears.

If you’ve been touched by Jesus you’re made whole.

One healing brought another miracle:

When people saw His power they believed.

He taught them greater things through parable,

And one by one the Kingdom they received.

Christ knows that you need healing; He’s the One,

The Doctor of your soul, the Father’s Son.

11-13-15 Speaking in Parables

Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

Matthew 13:13 KJV

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The Savior spoke in parables to most

Because they did not want the patent truth.

They wanted to go back to friends and boast

They’d seen a miracle and played the sleuth.

When Jesus showed His face He drew a crowd;

The vast majority went for the show.

They saw Him with their eyes but were not bowed,

They heard His voice but did not want to know.

He spoke in stories, fables, myths and tales;

Those hungry for the truth would understand.

The Spirit opened ears and took off scales

To those who sought the Kingdom here at hand.

To some the gospel seems like falsity;

You cannot get this kind to hear and see.

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.

7-20-15 Born Again

Jesus answered and said unto him,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again,

he cannot see the kingdom of God.

John 3:3 KJV

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A birth into this world means tears and pain;

Your mother can’t forget nor you recall.

But when you come to Christ you’re born again,

A new creation free from Adam’s fall.

Now quickened by God’s Spirit through and through,

The blood of Christ has washed your sins away.

No longer bound by flesh you live anew,

A citizen of Heaven now to stay.

Admit that you’re a sinner, dead and lost,

That Jesus paid the price for all your sins.

Put all your trust in Him whate’er the cost

And you will be reborn – your life begins!

Drink deep the Word as milk, then eat as meat,

And watch the Grace of God make you complete.

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sonnet #411

5-11-15 Spread the Word

And as ye go, preach, saying,

The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Matthew 10:7 KJV

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The time has come, the time is here, my friend,

To share the news of Jesus to all men,

And when you hear some mock Him, then defend,

For He will stand for you and them, amen.

The Savior is returning, be of haste,

And spread the Word as if He’s coming now,

Then bring them to the cross where sin was placed,

Where Jesus died for them with humble vow.

Now, be like Christ and preach to all you meet,

Pour out the living water for their soul.

If you bring one to Jesus on the street,

It will be worth the effort as a whole.

Don’t be so shy, recall how you were freed;

How someone let the Spirit take the lead.

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sonnet #357

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.

            ~~~~~~~~~~~

Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child,

the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 18:4 KJV

10-21-14 The Lord’s Prayer 05b: For Ever

O Father, all the kingdoms do You reign;

Both earth and heaven hearken to Your name,

And all Your sons and daughters are germane,

To worship You forever with acclaim.

You are onmipotent, O Abba God;

We turn to you with all our hopes and needs.

The grandeur of Your power leaves us awed,

And all creation serve in word and deed.

The honor and the glory go to You,

Deserving of our praise and even more;

No other one are we more grateful to,

For You alone are worthy to adore.

Your majesty we venerate again,

Forever and for ever and Amen!

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For thine is the kingdom,

and the power,

and the glory,

for ever.

Amen.

Matthew 6:13 KJV

10-17-14 The Lord’s Prayer 02: Thy Kingdom Come

O, Father, when Your kingdom came as man

Upon the form of Jesus Christ Your Son,

He did all things according to Your plan;

He lived and died that Your will would be done.

Your kingdom is made know to these who gave

Our faith to Christ as Saviour in our lives,

And with Your grace You choose our souls to save

To tell the world Your kingdom will revive.

O God, let now Your will be done on earth

As it is done in heaven perfectly;

We seek Your will with all our heart and worth

That it be done with love and constantly.

The fullness of Your kingdom’s coming soon;

Your will on earth as heaven both in tune.

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Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done in earth,

as it is in heaven.

Matthew 6:10 KJV

10-6-14 As a Little Child

A child accepts a gift with fervent glee

And lays aside all pride and prejudice.

Those newly dead to sin and so set free

Receives the gospel with unfettered bliss.

The intellect sometimes can know a truth,

But can’t compare to soul accepting Christ.

This kind of joy reflects the golden youth

Who drink salvation’s milk as life sufficed.

God’s kingdom truly is the greatest gift

To those sincere at heart who love the Lord;

No longer lost in sin and set adrift,

The infant child of God gets his reward.

Stretch out your arms, embrace the bold good news;

Redemption’s in your reach, it’s yours to choose.

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Verily I say unto you,

Whosoever shall not receive

the kingdom of God as a little child,

he shall not enter therein.

Mark 10:15 KJV