2-12-16 Only One

It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

Psalm 118:8 KJV

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Whenever you put confidence in man,

Don’t get your hopes much higher than the ground,

For he will disappoint more often than

A lighter without fluid that’s been found.

A broken cane can’t give you much support,

A shadow offers little in relief.

There’s only One will never sell you short,

There’s only One will never cause you grief.

When you lay all your trust up in the Lord,

There’s nothing left for faith in mortal man.

Serenity and peace is your reward

When you place hope in God’s own perfect plan.

Begin right now: surrender to the Lord.

Entrust Him with your life: you’ll be restored.

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REMEMBER: The Lord is faithful; He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. (2 Thessalonians 3:3)

1-20-16 Be Not Afraid

⁴⁸ And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. ⁴⁹ But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: ⁵⁰ For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. ⁵¹ And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.

Mark 6:48-51 KJV

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When troubles come to push you off your path,

And if it seems you’re rowing ‘gainst the wind,

The struggle that you face in all its wrath

Might leave your efforts moot and you chagrined.

Look through the dark of night and see Me there!

I am not just a thought inside your head,

Not just some passing need when you despair,

Nor ghostly spirit filling you with dread.

Be of good cheer! Have courage! It is I!

Be not afraid, I’ve come to bring you peace.

I’ve been here all along, I won’t pass by.

I’m right beside you now; the wind will cease.

In life when conflict blows with its attack,

Be not afraid, my child, I’ve got your back.

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REMEMBER: Even in the darkest of nights you will see Him near.

1-14-16 Faith in Action

¹⁴ What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? ¹⁵ If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, ¹⁶ And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

James 2:14-16 KJV

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A couple poor as dirt with hungry child:

The husband says, “I’ve faith we’ll get some food.”

The wife replied, “O fool! You’ve got me riled!

Go get a job! We can’t eat attitude!”

Professing faith is easy; say the word,

But if your faith is real then it will show.

A kindness given first was faith that stirred.

When grace meets gratitude you can’t lie low.

When Jesus said “Your faith has made you whole,”

He knew that she believed that by her touch.

If she had not had faith both heart and soul,

She wouldn’t have reached out His cloak to clutch. (Matthew 9:20-22)

Declaring faith won’t keep you warm and filled.

Put action to those words and be fulfilled.

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REMEMBER: For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (James 2:26)

12-25-15 Peace and Good Will

⁸ And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. ¹⁰ And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. ¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. ¹² And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. ¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ¹⁴ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Luke 2:8-14 KJV

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As lowly shepherds watched their flocks by night

The angel of the Lord shown suddenly,

And glory shined about the shepherds bright,

And they were so afraid from all that they did see.

“Fear not,” the angel said to calm their fright,

“Good tidings do I bring, great joy to all!

The Savior Christ the Lord was born tonight!

He’s swaddled in a manger plain and small.”

Then there appeared a multitude forthright,

A host from heaven praising God to say

“To God’s the glory, all to Him outright,

And peace on earth, good will toward men to stay!”

Those shepherds were the first to hear the news.

Such humble men in spirit Christ pursues.

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REMEMBER: God took on a human body to bring peace and good will to the world through His inevitable sacrifice.

11-25-15 Even So

Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

John 20:21 KJV

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EVEN SO

Our Father God sent Jesus to the earth

To save those who believe upon His name,

To bring about such miracles of worth,

There is no doubt at all upon His claim.

Our Father sent His Son to do His will,

To sacrifice His life to save His friends,

To take upon Him all our sins until

His blood could serve to cover and to cleanse.

And now the Savior sends disciples out

To save those who believe upon His name,

To show all that we meet there is no doubt

That Jesus died for them – that’s why He came.

If God sent down His Son to save mankind,

Are you not now His child and so inclined?

11-9-15 The Peace of Jesus

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 14:27 KJV

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The peace that Christ bestowed unto His friends,

Before He walked the path that lead to death,

And sanctified as soon His blood would cleanse,

Could not be given by some worldly breath.

The moment you accepted Christ as Lord,

The Spirit of His peace did rest in you,

And though the beasts of chaos smashed and roared,

Don’t be afraid, His peace has seen you through.

The peace of Jesus calms the stormy sea,

It comforts men upon the battle field,

Descending on those struggling to be free,

And in your final moments is revealed.

Let not your heart be troubled – here is peace:

To know the love of Christ will never cease.

11-4-15 Peace

Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.

2 Thessalonians 3:16 KJV

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PEACE

The Prince of peace exists within your heart,

Harmonious with all the things on earth

And heaven, where His vibrant love impart

a constant, living stream of grace and worth.

You are a child of God, and more than this,

Evolving and becoming one with Christ,

A reconciled light of love and bliss,

An image of the pearl that’s greatly priced.

By every means does Jesus give you peace

And none can take away this gift divine.

Your faith becomes a knowing that won’t cease,

A tranquil quietude of love so fine.

The peace that Christ provides does liberate;

Serenity and patience still and great.

10-20-15 Unclean Spirits

²³ And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,

²⁴ Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.

²⁵ And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.

²⁶ And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.

²⁷ And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.

Mark 1:23-27 KJV

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An unclean spirit likes to sow discord

And seeks to own the weakest mind around.

Such fights and arguments are their reward;

Where trouble’s stirred this spirit can be found.

Unless the Holy Spirit fills your heart

Ask Christ to guard your soul or you’ll be next.

They spot a child of God and then will start

To try to tear you down and leave you vexed.

The Savior lives within so call His name!

The Holy Ghost will lead you through this scene.

He might have you rebuke it out in shame

Or lead the man possessed to Christ to clean.

You’re led to where you’re needed most of all.

Let Christ stay in control and heed His call.

10-15-15 On Mindedness

For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Romans 8:6 KJV

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The carnal mind is focused on the flesh

And all the things of flesh are doomed to die.

It may look good today while it is fresh

But it will sure be rotten by and by.

There’s nothing wrong with passion in its place:

Creative drive is needed to produce,

But passion gone awry is bankrupt grace,

Like tying knots until you’ve got a noose.

If you want peace and everlasting life

The mind of Christ is really what you need.

The Word leads where the love of God is rife;

Such passion of the spirit should you heed.

The carnal mind will take you soon to death.

The mind of Spirit brings eternal breath.

10-13-15 A Meditation of Him

My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.

Psalm 104:34 KJV

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I clear my mind from troubled, thorny thoughts,

And feel the Holy Spirit full within;

While all the world around me plans and plots,

The peace of God descends and we begin.

I meditate upon my sovereign Lord,

My Master, my Redeemer and my Friend;

His love and words strike deep and I’m restored.

His glory lights my way; there is no end.

The blood my Master shed, His sacrifice,

I cannot comprehend its depth or scope.

He suffered so for me, God’s asking price.

My faith in Him is real; I’m filled with hope.

Consider all the ways of Christ the King,

And He will lift you up; your heart will sing!