9-25-15 The Perfect Example

²¹ For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

²² Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

²³ Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

²⁴ Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

²⁵ For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

1 Peter 2:21-25 KJV

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There is no greater love than Christ has shown,

The perfect model for a perfect life,

Who chose to leave His bright celestial throne

To come and save His sheep through pain and strife.

He had no sin Himself but came for ours,

Enduring all the wrath of God and man,

Who could have freed Himself with awesome powers

But chose to bring salvation as His plan,

And all the torment that our Lord endured,

Reviled, threatened, beaten, crucified,

He did for you so you could be secured.

He loved you so He suffered, bled and died.

O friend, I know He thought of you that day

As He was hanging on the cross that way!

6-1-15 All For One – Part Two

⁸ For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

⁹ To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

¹⁰ To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

¹¹ But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

¹² For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:8-12 KJV

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The Spirit gifts one saint with wisdom deep,

And gives another knowledge straight and strong.

The Spirit grants another faith to keep;

He knows just where His attributes belong.

The Spirit gives one pow’rs to heal the sick,

Another miracles to show the way.

The truth through prophecy to one He picks;

These gifts the Holy Spirit does convey.

He gives to one discernment of the heart,

Reveals the gift of tongues another speaks.

He then lets one interpret tongues apart;

They all are of one Spirit, but unique.

So many diff’rent members, though as one,

We all are of one body of the Son.

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sonnet #376

5-5-15 The Love of God

³⁸ For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

³⁹ Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39 KJV

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Of all of the uncertainties of life,

And there is nothing certain, not but one:

The love of God, through peace and change and strife,

Is absolutely true and not undone.

Not life or death will kill His love at all,

Nor angels, kings or principalities,

No power in the universe at all

Can stop His love in time or in degrees.

Not heaven, earth or hell can end God’s love,

No creature in the sky or earth below.

It’s easier to count the stars above

Than find one thing His love can’t overthrow.

The love of God, through Jesus Christ our Lord,

Is undeniable across the board.

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sonnet #351

10-30-14 Not Flesh and Blood

The battle’s not with flesh but for the soul,

Against an enemy with cunning wiles,

An evil set to wrestle for control

With arguments and force or charm and smiles.

He wants to take your friends and family,

Your church, your neighborhood, your country, too.

There is one thing that you can both agree:

The time grows short; there’s much work left to do.

Don’t take this foe for granted; don’t you sleep!

The battle’s now; keep God’s whole armor on!

With prayer within your heart and courage keep;

With Jesus by your side success is drawn!

The rulers of the darkness of this world

Don’t stand a chance; let Christ’s whole flag unfurl!

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For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,

but against principalities, against powers,

against the rulers of the darkness of this world,

against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Ephesians 6:12 KJV